How to Obtain a Certified Copy of My Birth Certificate

Certified copies of birth certificates are required for many legal services.

In today's world, you may find you need a certified copy of your birth certificate more than you think. In order to travel outside of the U.S., you will need one to obtain a passport. Due to the REAL ID Act, the states will soon require a certified copy of a birth certificate in order to obtain, renew or replace a driver license or state-issued ID card. In some locations, you will need one to get a marriage license or enroll in school. Whatever the reason, obtaining your certified birth certificate is not very difficult, but can be time consuming.

Instructions

1. Obtain your name at birth and place and date of birth. Most people will have this information, but if unsure check with your parents or another relative that knows this information.

2. Go to the CDC website for vital statistics (see References).

3. Click on the state or other location where you were born. For U.S. citizens born outside the U.S. or for foreign born people, click on "Foreign or high seas event" for complete instructions on either how to obtain a certified copy or who to contact to obtain one.

4. Write down or print out the information for the Office of Vital Statistics for your birth location.

5. Call the telephone number or click on the link provided for the location listed in Step 4 to verify cost and get complete list of requirements to obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate.

6. Complete the steps listed for your birth location and pay any fees. Each location has its own requirements and fees. Some will vary whether you go in person, do it online or request the certificate through the mail. Expect to fill out a form and present proof of identity, such as a state-issued ID.

Tips & Warnings

• Some places have online requests for birth certificates, while others you will need to write or fax in the request, with your proof of identity.

• Locations vary, and while some request only a little information beyond an ID, others want notarized forms, ID, two proofs of residence and possibly more.

• Fees as of May 2010 for certified copies vary from $5 to $30, depending on the location. If expedited service is requested or an outside agency is used, additional fees are applied.

• Parents or legal guardians can request copies for their minor children.

• Some states have contracted with VitalChek to handle online orders of certified copies of birth certificates.

• If you are unable to make the request in person, some locations will require notarized documents before sending you a certified copy of your birth certificate. If the documents are not notarized, your request will be rejected.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Where to Write for Vital Records

Resources

• Vital Chek