How Can You Order The Certificate
New parents don’t automatically receive a copy of their child’s birth certificate. We recommend that you get a copy as soon after the birth as possible. This will help you make sure that the birth was registered properly by the medical facility and that the information on the certificate is correct.
For your convenience, there are several ways of ordering birth certificates: online, by phone, by mail, and in person via our automated kiosks.
What Do I Need To Bring With Me To Prove My Identity
We recommend that you bring several forms of ID to ensure that DCVRD employees are able to verify your identity.
For a printable version of the below requirements, please review our Identity Guidelines Information Sheet.
During your visit, you will be required to complete an identity verification questionnaire at our self- service kiosks.
If the name on your identification does NOT match the name on the certificate, you must prove evidence of a legal name change. This may include a certified marriage certificate, certified divorce decree or a certified legal name change court order that reflects the history of the changes to the name on the certificate requested.
If the kiosk is able to authenticate your identity, you will be required to present at least ONE of the following forms of primary photo ID :
- State-issued drivers license or non-drivers ID card
- Passport or passport card
- Military ID Card
- Law enforcement ID
- Government employee ID
If the kiosk is able to authenticate your identity but you do not have a primary photo ID, you will be required to present TWO FORMS of alternate identification from the list below :
If the kiosk is unable to authenticate your identity, you will be required to present ONE form of primary photo ID and TWO of the documents from the list below.
Obtain An Authorized Copy Of Your Birth Certificate
A birth certificate is an important document that allows you to prove identity, age and American citizenship, especially when applying for a passport, government benefits, enroll in school, or even join the military. If you need to request an authorized copy, you will need to request it to the state where you were born or directly to the county where you were born.
For a certified copy of your District of Columbia birth certificate, please complete our online form and follow the set of personalized instructions we provide to receive your authorized copy of your birth certificate.
How Do The On
When you order certificates in person at the DCVRD office, youll use kiosks to place the order
Youll choose English or Spanish and select the certificate you want to purchase.
Then youll choose your relationship to the person on the certificate, check if youre entitled to order that birth, death, or domestic partnership certificate and show proof of this relationship. Youll answer questions about the certificate holder, like full name, gender, parents names, date of birth or death.
The kiosk will ask four to five questions about your identity. Then to further prove your identity, youll need to show the required ID as detailed above. If you dont answer enough of the kiosk questions correctly, youll have to present additional ID as detailed above.
Finally, make your payment by credit or debit card, check, cash, money order or voucher payment. Be sure to keep your kiosk receipt. When your number is called, youll need to bring it, your ID and any other supporting documents up to the counter to pick up your certificate.
Who Is Entitled To A Birth Certificate
To protect the identity and privacy of citizens of the District of Columbia, DC Health restricts access to birth certificates that arent in the public record.
However, you ARE entitled if you are a:
How Much Does A Birth Certificate Cost In The District Of Columbia
Pursuant to D. C. Code § 7-231.27, the DCVRD cannot identify a requested birth record as available prior to purchase. Associated fee with a birth record is set apart for the DCVRD office to search the records to determine if it is on file. The fee is inclusive of the cost of one copy of the record if found. If the requested record is not found, the requester will be issued a Certificate of Search.
The fee for a search for a DC birth record is $23 and is inclusive of a certified copy of the birth record if found. Additional copies, up to a maximum of five, may be requested at the same time. Each additional copy costs $23. Shipping fees for the delivery methods available are:
- $20 – UPS Next Day Air
- $40 – UPS, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico
- $26 – UPS to Canada or Mexico
- $36.50 – UPS Worldwide Expedited
No shipping fee is charged for deliveries via U.S. Postal Service Regular Mail. An online Order placed through DC’s third-party service provider attracts an additional non-refundable processing and handling fee of $6.
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.
To Do This Please Follow These Steps:
If you are unable to meet the requirements, the DCVRD will issue you a rejection letter stating why the request could not be processed. This letter will be required should you decide to petition DC Superior Court to order the DCVRD to make the amendment as requested.
Can Anyone Get A Copy Of A Birth Certificate In The District Of Columbia
DC protects the identity and privacy of citizens by restricting access to Birth Records. Birth records are not public and can only be obtained by qualified persons. Such persons must be at least 18 years of age and include:
- The person named on the record
- The parent of the person named on the record
- An adult child or sibling of the person named on the record
- The grandparent of the person named on the record
- A legal guardian
- A legal representative of the person named on the record
- A social worker
- An individual who has obtained a power of attorney
- A law enforcement agent
Per DC law, cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors, spouses, and domestic partners are not permitted to order an individual’s birth certificate.
What Information Are You Allowed To Amend
For birth certificates, you may be able to:
- Amend the childs name
- Amend the babys weight, date of birth, time of birth or place of birth
- Amend Sex or gender designation
- Remove, add, amend the father/second parents name
- Remove, add, amend the mothers name
- Amend the mother or father/second parents date of birth
- Amend the mother or father/second parents place of birth
All supporting documentation not presented in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. If any of the above documents cannot be obtained, you may petition DC Superior Court to order the DCVRD to process the amendment as requested. With the exception of a legal name change order, orders obtained from other jurisdictions must be domesticated through DCSC.
*** Birth certificate fields may only be amended if those fields are included in the current DC birth certificate format. If you have an older birth certificate format that contains fields not available on the current DC birth certificate format, you may request to have your certificate converted to the current format. Please note that if this request is not made at the time your order is placed, you may be assessed a fee to replace the certificate
How Long Does It Take To Get A Copy Of A Birth Certificate In Washington Dc
Most Washington, D.C. birth certificate requests are currently taking approximately 2-4 weeks to process, and standard shipping times will add several days on top of this estimate. For this reason, it is a good idea to request a copy of your birth certificate as soon as you know you will need it for the best chance of receiving it on time. Some in-person requests may be available on the same day.
District Of Columbia Birth Certificate Requirements
To obtain a copy of a birth certificate you will need to complete the application and mail it to your birth states vital records office. You will also need to prove your identity.
All those born in D.C. that need to request a certified copy of a birth certificate will need to include a clear photocopy, of both sides, of government issued photo ID, along with a completed application form:
- D.C. Drivers License
- Drivers license issued by another U.S. State
- U.S. Passport
If you are requesting a birth certificate on behalf of a family member, but your name does not appear on the certificate, then you are also required to provide proof of relationship with the registrant. For example, if you are the legal guardian of the person on record you are also required to submit a copy of the valid guardianship papers certified by the court naming you as legal guardian. If you are requesting a certificate on behalf of your grandchild then you are also required to supply the birth certificate of your child, the parent who is named on the registrant’s birth certificate.
Once your application package is completed you will need to mail it to:
DC Vital Record Mail ServicesATTN: DC Vital Records,P.O. Box 222130El Paso, TX 79913
For walk-in service you must get an appointment and go to te following address. Notice, due covid appointments are noa available.
DC Vital Records Division 899 North Capitol Street,
How To Seal Your Birth Records In The District Of Columbia
Pursuant to the Vital Records Modernization Amendment Act of 2018, upon the finalization of adoption proceedings and issuance of a final decree of adoption by a court of competent jurisdiction, the DC Vital Records Division must seal the pre-adoption birth record. An amended birth certificate is issued which among other birth information states the adopting parents as the legal parents of the adoptee. The amended certificate is the legal birth certificate and is the only birth certificate that may be inspected or obtained by eligible requesters.
Remote Ordering Service Provider
BEFORE you call or visit, please check the type of certificate you want to order to make sure District of Columbia law allows you access. Review entitlement requirements for birth, death, or domestic partnership certificates . Complete guidance regarding these requirements may be reviewed at .
The DC Vital Records Division maintains birth certificates dating back to August 1874. Birth records become public after 125 years. Death records become public after 75 years. All other birth records are closed, and certified copies may only be obtained if you are legally entitled and present the required personal documentation and fees.
DCVRD does not issue birth, death, or domestic partnership certificates for individuals if those events occurred in another state. Please make these requests directly to the vital records office in the state where the birth, death or domestic partnership occurred. Visit the CDCs Where to Write for Vital Records page for a listing of agencies. For certificates for US citizens who were born or died abroad, please visit the US Department of States Birth Abroad or Death Abroad webpages.
If you need an Apostille , contact the DC Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications or call 727-3117.
If I Come To The Dcvrd Office Can I Get A Certificate On The Same Day
In most cases, yes however some requests may require a search into DCVRD archives, which are stored off site.
While most of archived records have been digitized, some originals must be ordered from DC Archives or the Federal Records Center. These requests typically take two to three weeks after you clear identity and entitlement verification and pay the associated certificate fee.
A record cannot be identified as available prior to purchase because under District of Columbia statute ), the fee associated with a certificate is for the DCVRD office to search the records to determine if a record is on file. This non-refundable fee includes one copy of the certificate if the record is found. If the record is not found, you will be issued a Certificate of Search.
Please review our return of fees policy. This information will be helpful should you notice an error on your certificate and wish to immediately amend it.
District Of Columbia Government
Ordering vital records in District of Columbia with Vital Records Online is a hassle-free process. Our unmatched experience in online assisted application services will save you time on unnecessary document resubmission at the office. If needed, you will greatly benefit from our unlimited support throughout your application process. We are here to help, by email and telephone.
The District of Columbia Department of Public Health sets the requirements for the necessary documentation that you will need in order to obtain your certified vital records. An authorized copy of your vital records is necessary for a variety of purposes. Replace a lost birth certificate, marriage certificate, and death certificate in a few steps with our online forms.
Save unnecessary trips to theDistrict of Columbia Department of Vital Records and order a certified copy of your records from the comfort of your home. We take care of the processing and ensure a timely delivery straight to your door.
District of Columbia Birth Certificate
Request a Certified Copy of Live Birth for your baby or child.
District of Columbia Marriage Certificate
Obtain Marriage records for yourself or a family member.
District of Columbia Death Certificate
Get an Original Copy of a Death Certificate replacement for a lost record.
How To Unseal Your Birth Records In The District Of Columbia
Pre-adoption or original birth records in DC cannot be unsealed except by a court order. In order to successfully petition a court to obtain an order granting a release of a sealed birth record, the requester must present “good cause” to convince the judge. Successful petitions are often in line with the need for an adoptee to contact the birth family due to a medical circumstance. The court may also order the DCVRD to unseal a sealed birth record if the birth parents have given consent for the release of the original birth record.
Vital Records To Offer Birth Certificates In Long Form Only
The DC Department of Health announced today, that beginning April 5, 2010, its Vital Records Division will no longer issue Computerized Short Form Birth Certificates. Vital Records will continue to offer Certified Long Form Birth Certificate copies for the same price of $23.00. The Computerized Short Form Birth Certificate cannot be used for most legal purposes, and is no longer considered an acceptable proof of identification to obtain a passport, drivers license, school enrollment, and for court proceedings. In addition, issues and concerns regarding identity theft, and homeland security have also contributed to the implementation of Vital Records new policy.
In order to obtain a Certified Long Form Birth Certificate, patrons born in the District of Columbia can visit the Vital Records Division located at 825 North Capitol Street, NE, 1st Floor from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Residents are welcome to visit during business hours to complete the Long Form Birth Certificate application form, and will be required to provide appropriate supporting documentation to obtain birth certificates.
Online requests can be processed through our VitalChek service and can be reached at 1 572-6332 or through the VitalCheks website at www.vitalchek.com.
For walk-in requests, cash, checks, money orders, Visa and Master Card are accepted for payment. For mail-in requests, acceptable forms of payment are checks and money orders and should be made payable to the DC Treasurer.