How to Obtain a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Mississippi
A birth certificate is a vital piece of paperwork as a form of identification or citizenship. If you lose your birth certificate or it is destroyed in an accident, you can get it replaced. The precise replacement procedures can vary depending on which state issued the birth certificate. To specifically obtain a Mississippi birth certificate, you must contact the Mississippi State Department of Health and formally request a copy; however, it will involve a fee and a waiting period.
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Things You'll Need
- Copy of photo ID (such as driver's license, university ID, military ID or government-issued photo ID)
- Check, money order or credit card
Instructions
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Mail
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1
Print out a copy of the Application for Certified Mississippi Birth Certificate (see Resources). Fill it out completely and make sure you don't miss anything or it will further delay the process.
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2
Write a check or money order to Mississippi Vital Records for $15 (as of 2010) for the first birth certificate copy you want and $5 for each additional copy. Send your completed application, copy of your photo ID and the payment to: Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700.
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3
Contact the office if you don't receive the birth certificate in the mail after three weeks. Make sure to wait no longer than six months or the state can keep the fee and not be responsible for sending you a copy of the birth certificate.
Online
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4
Go to the Mississippi Express Vital Records Online Ordering (see Resources). Select "Birth Certificate" and click "Continue."
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Fill out all the applicant information and your credit card information. Print a copy of the page after you turn in the information so you have proof the transaction went through.
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Wait at least 10 business days for the certificate to come in the mail before contacting the Mississippi State Department of Health. Check your credit card statement to ensure the transaction posted before contacting the office--if it did not, you may not have entered the correct information or submitted the form correctly.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you receive your Mississippi birth certificate, store it in a safety deposit box or other fire-safe box to prevent losing it or having it destroyed.
Never send cash in the mail because the Mississippi State Department of Health is not responsible for any cash that gets lost in the mail.
