How to Get a Birth Certificate for a Baby Born Outside of a Hospital

To request a birth certificate for a child born outside of a hospital, you will need to contact the vital records department in the county where the baby was born. You will be asked to provide demographic information on the baby and provide written proof of the birth and your pregnancy.

Instructions

1. Submit an application to the vital records department in your city or county. You will need to give the vital records department the date, time, city and state of the child's birth, along with the name of the parents and the name that was chosen for the child. Most vital records offices have a specific form you can use to register this information.

2. Provide proof of the baby's birth. In order to verify the circumstances of the birth, you will need to prepare a notarized affidavit swearing that the information you are providing is accurate. This affidavit should be signed by the mother, midwife and any other parties who were present at the birth.

3. Show proof of your pregnancy. In order to prove that the child was born to you outside of a hospital, you will need to give the vital records department documentation of your prenatal care issued by your doctor or certified nurse midwife. Vital records may ask that these records be certified by a hospital or clinic administrator.

4. Request a copy of the birth certificate. After your have submitted all the information about the child, your county or state's vital records division will issue a birth certificate for your baby. There may be a fee for the birth certificate.

Tips & Warnings

• Each jurisdiction has its own requirements for requesting a birth certificate for a baby born outside of a hospital. The exact requirements and process may vary slightly between states and counties.

References

• Getting a Birth Certificate