Make A Birth Certificate Request Online
You can place an order online with your credit or debit card. You will not be charged until the order is confirmed and processed, usually within two to three business days.
We will contact you if we need more information to fulfill the order. If we contact you but do not hear back from you within two business days, we will cancel the order without a charge.
Apply For A Birth Certificate
Birth records in the IDOH Vital Records office begin with October 1907. Prior to October 1907, records of birth are filed only with the local health department in the county where the birth actually occurred.
Fees are established by law . Each search for a record costs $10.00. The fee is non-refundable. Included in one search is a five-year period the reported year of birth and, if the record is not found in that year, the two years before and after. One certified copy of the record, if found, is included with the search fee. Additional copies of the same record purchased at the same time are $4.00 each. Amendments made to the record are an additional $8.00.
Please see our for a complete listing of costs associated with Vital Records.
There are four ways to order a birth certificate:
Obtain An Original Birth Certificate
When an adoption is finalized, the state issues a new birth certificate to the adoptive parents. The adoptees original birth certificate is then sealed and kept confidential by the states vital records department. Half the states in the U.S. require a court order to unseal an original birth certificate. However, many states allow access to original birth certificates through:
- A request from the adult adoptee
- A request by the adoptee unless the birth parent filed an affidavit denying access
- Establishment of eligibility to obtain identifying information with the state
- A record of consent from both birth parents
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Divorce Decrees And Certificates
A divorce decree is an official document from the court that grants the termination of a marriage. It includes specific details of the divorce.
A divorce certificate is issued by a state vital records office. It shows that a divorce occurred but not all the same information as a divorce decree. You can save time and money by determining which document you need before requesting a copy.
Getting Your Birth Certificate Online

Usually, people order a birth certificate to be able to complete an official matter, such as getting a passport or a drivers license. Whenever a birth certificate is required, it means you need to get a certified copy issued by your vital records office.
The state where you were born is responsible for handling the vital records of its citizens. A vital records office maintains the master records of its citizens: birth certificates, death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates.
Only a vital records office can reproduce an authorized and certified copy of your birth certificate.
The easiest way to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate that is legally valid for official business is to order online.
To get an official copy of a birth certificate:
Once issued, the vital records office will post the certified birth certificate so you receive the document at your chosen address.
Some birth certificate requests are rejected due to errors or inconsistencies in the data entered. An easy way to avoid this is to have your application professionally revised before submitting it.
Our smart form ensures that your birth certificate application is mistake-free and can be processed correctly on the first try.
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Contacting Your Birth States Vital Records Office
Since the federal government doesnât manage or issue birth certificates, the first step is to contact the vital records office in the state or U.S. territory where you were born. How do you get a birth certificate copy from your birth state? The instructions for obtaining a certified copy vary by location, but youâll likely have the option to apply online or mail in your request.
The Centers for Disease Control is an excellent resource for determining the next steps. In addition to national health statistics, the government agency has a directory that links out to all the states and territories.
Click on your birthplace to find information about the application process, the appropriate fee for requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate, and how to submit your documents. This website also provides information about getting an authorized copy of a death certificate, fetal death record, marriage certificate, divorce records, and delayed records in each state.
Original Vs Certified Copy Of A Birth Certificate
First things first: Whatâs the difference between an original and a certified copy of a birth certificate? An original birth certificate is created at the time of birth. Most often, itâs initiated in a hospital setting, then filed with the vital records office. Birth certificates are required records by state law, constituting an official record of a personâs birth.
A certified copy, on the other hand, is a secondary copy of the original document. A state registrar will emboss, impress, or otherwise seal and sign the record to certify that itâs a true copy with correct information. Even though itâs not the original, an authorized certified copy is generally accepted as proof of citizenship, as well as in any other scenario that youâd need to show a birth certificate.
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The Procedure Of Name Change In Birth Certificate Gurgaon
You are on the right page if youre wondering what is the Procedure of Name change in birth certificates. Under this blog, you can get an idea about how you can change your name on the birth certificate or how the experts can help you with the same.
Changing the name on the birth certificate is very easy. You just have to follow some procedure steps, and you are good to go. A birth name change in Gurgaon cannot be ignored, as a birth certificate plays a crucial role. Every person needs to have a birth certificate if they want to use the government services given.
Death Of A Us Citizen Abroad: How To Get Death Records
When a U.S. citizen dies in another country, the U.S. embassy or consulate should get a death certificate or notification from the foreign government. It will then issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad . Use the CRDA in the U.S. as proof of death for closing accounts and handling legal tasks.
- You can get up to 20 certified copies at the time of death for free.
- Order more copies of the CRDA from the State Department.
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Types Of Birth Records
- Acceptable for official purposes i.e., travel, Social Security, insurance, pension, employment, etc. $10 for first certified copy $4 for each additional copy
- Non-certified Record Used in researching family history and is available only if the record is at least 75 years old $4 for each non-certified record marked For Genealogical Purposes Only
- No Record Found Certification If the record is not found to be on file within our office, a Certificate of No Record Found is available for purchase. $1.50 for certification
Were Here To Help You Obtain Vital Records
We are a go-to resource for anyone looking to obtain vital records. Using intelligent, cloud-based technology, the process of applying for a birth certificate has never been easier. With us, you can take care of everything from the comfort of your own home. Get in touch with us to learn more about our convenient online platform.
Please note that we are an independent, third-party servicer with no affiliation with the Social Security Administration .
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Us Birth Certificates Will Continue Operating During The Covid
Some government offices remain closed, or are only open for appointments, however online and mail applications are accepted as normal. This allows our vital records services to continue without interruption. Processing times have improved and most vital records offices are now operating as usual. Your vital record request will be processed and delivered as quickly as possible. We will keep you updated on any changes.
Legal Disclaimer: US Birth Certificates is a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, not owned or operated by any government agency. US Birth Certificates is an independent preparer that provides vital records application preparation assistance services. If you are looking for blank forms, you can get them for free at the relevant state office.
Fill out the form, we do the rest
Apply online in minutes before we review and submit your application to the government.
Get your certificate ASAP
Your application is priority processed so you get your certificate delivered to your door in no time.
Birth Certificate Copies: Americans Born Abroad

If you were born to American parents abroad, they should have registered your birth with the country’s U.S. embassy or consulate. If they did, they would have received a Consular Report of Birth Abroad . You can get a copy of this report from the U.S. Department of State. Depending on the country, a vital records office in the nation may also list the birth.
What if the State Department cannot locate your CRBA? If you were born on a military base abroad, your parents might not have registered your birth with the U.S. embassy. In that case, you may have to contact the hospital where you were born.
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How Do I Get My Certificate
How do I get my certificate?
1st Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower710 James Robertson Parkway Vital Records Entrance is on the Rosa Parks Blvd. side of the building. |
Office Hours:Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Lobby Hours:Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Parking is located on Rev. Kelly M Smith Way off Rosa Parks Blvd. |
Office of Vital Records
IF PAYING WITH CASH, CHECK, CREDIT/DEBIT CARD, OR MONEY ORDER
You have the option to fill out a paper order form and present proper identification at the Customer Service Window. If you are not a qualified applicant, you will need to support your entitlement to the record requested at the time your application is submitted or have a qualified applicant submit the application. Order forms are located on the counter to your left as you enter our office. We accept cash, check, credit/debit cards or money orders for our fees at our customer service window.
Local County Health Department
How To Get Your Birth Certificate For Free
How to Get Your Birth Certificate for Free?
For individuals looking to find their birth certificate free onlinegood luck. Although getting your replacement copy without paying is unlikely,there are some affordable options online that won’t break the bank. If you’re wondering how to get your birth certificate for free,State Vital Record delivers all the answers in this week’s post. Keep reading to find out more!
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How To Obtain A Birth Certificate In 3 Steps
The federal government does not issue copies of birth certificates. Instead, applicants can apply at the designated office of the U.S. state or U.S. territory where they were born.Every state has different regulations regarding issuing copies of birth certificates and there can be complications. However, ordering your birth certificate through Vital Records makes the process simple. You just need to complete the following steps
Complete the online simplified application form
Print and send your application to your states Health Department
How To Get A Copy Of A Marriage License
County governments issue marriage licenses. It may be a clerk of court, probate court, or a marriage license department that issues them. Contact the county government where you’ll be married to apply for a license.
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Most marriage licenses expire within 30 days to a year, depending on the issuing state.
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If yours expires or gets lost before you get married, apply for a new one.
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What Types Of Birth Certifications Are Issued
A computer-generated long form is the only version of birth certificate issued. Under South Carolina regulation, it is considered for all purposes the same as the original certificate.
The computer-generated long form contains the following information:
- State file number
- Father’s place of birth
- The date issued.
Vital Records Offices stopped accepting requests for short form birth certificates in January 2015.A computer-generated long form can be issued by the state office location – DHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201 and by Regional Vital Records Offices .
Getting A Certified Copy For Someone Else
If youâre requesting a copy of someone elseâs birth certificate, such as your child or another close relative, youâll need to verify yourself as a qualified applicant. The rules vary among states, but you can usually order a certified record if youâre the registrantâs parent, legal guardian, spouse, sibling, child, grandparent, or grandchild. In some states, current domestic partners and stepparents may be able to request vital records.
Legal representatives can also order certified copies of birth certificates for their clients. However, if youâre not an immediate relative or family member, youâll have to provide documentation to legitimize your request. This could include a court order, affidavit, a copy of Power of Attorney , or records proving youâre an executor.
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Access Adoption Records Through Consent
In some states, you may be able to access identifying information through a mutual consent registry. Using these registries, all involved in an adoption can declare what information may be disclosed. Some states may require the consent of both the birth parents and adoptive parents for the release of records. However, the release of information varies by state.
If your state does not maintain a mutual consent registry, there are other ways to obtain records through consent. Public or private agencies can locate birth parents in some states. When an agency contacts birth parents, they can find out identifying information through:
- Confidential Intermediary System The court gives permission to a court-certified confidential intermediary. This permission grants them access to sealed adoption records. They can also contact the birth parents to obtain consent for the release of identifying information.
- Affidavit System – Birth parents can officially file their consent or refusal to be identified or contacted.
Use the Child Welfare Information Gateway to find out about how your state allows access to your adoption records.
What Is A Certified Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a birth certificate is a legal document that people can use as identification proof. It is totally different from the certificate of live birth. A certified copy can be used to apply for the first drivers licenses, social security cards, passports, visas, marriage certificates, death certificates, genealogy and many other crucial documents and services in the United States.
Real ID deadline update to October 1st of 2021.Read the complete article.
To order a copy of your lost birth certificate, the vital statistics office will require the following information to fill the application:
- Birth information of the person in record.
- Information about the parents of the person in record.
- Name and contact information of the person filing the application.
If there is no father on your birth certificate,you can check this article to see what it means.
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Death In The Us: How To Get A Certified Copy Of A Death Certificate
Contact the vital records office of the state where the death occurred to learn:
- How to order a certified copy of a death certificate online, by mail, or in person
- How to get a copy fast
- The cost for each certified copy
You will need to know the date and place of death. The state may also ask for other details about the person, how you are related to them, or why you want the certificate.
Birth Certificate Copies: Born Abroad And Adopted By Us Parents
If you were born in a foreign country and adopted by a U.S. citizen, you would not have received a U.S. birth certificate. The country in which you were born would have issued one. To get a copy, contact the nearest foreign embassy or consulate for that country. If you need an authenticated copy and it’s not in English, ask the embassy for help to get it translated.
If you were adopted from another country by a U.S. citizen, you should have copies of your naturalization/citizenship papers. If you don’t, submit an application for the replacement of a naturalization/citizenship document. For help, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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