Learn how to get a birth certificate replacement if you were born inside or outside the U.S. And find out how to get a replacement if all your other forms of ID have been lost.
Born in the U.S.: how to get a certified copy of your birth certificate
Contact your birth state or territory’s vital records office to find out:
- How to order a certified copy of your birth 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 city and county where you were born.
U.S. citizen born abroad: how to get a copy of your birth certificate or report
The U.S. embassy or consulate in your birth country issued a consular report of birth abroad (CRBA) if your parents reported your birth to them. The CRBA serves the same purpose as a U.S. birth certificate. See how to replace a consular report of birth abroad.
Lost all your IDs: how to get a copy of your birth certificate
Check with your birth state’s vital records office for what it requires. Most states have another way to verify your identification, such as:
- Your sworn statement of identity
- A notarized letter and a copy of the photo ID from the mother or father listed on your birth certificate
If you cannot get a copy of your birth certificate, try toreplace your driver's license first.
LAST UPDATED: January 30, 2024
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FAQs
Born in the U.S.: how to get a certified copy of your birth certificate. Contact your birth state or territory's vital records office to find out: How to order a certified copy of your birth certificate online, by mail, or in person.
How do I certify my US birth certificate? ›
Documents such as vital records issued by a U.S. state will need an apostille from that state's secretary of state. Federal documents will need an apostille from the U.S. Department of State.
What is the fastest way to get a US birth certificate? ›
The Quickest Way To Get a US Birth Certificate
Submit your application by mail, where rush service is available (details below) or in-person, where walk-in same-day birth certificate issuance is available.
What is the difference between authorized copy and informational copy of birth certificate? ›
An informational copy contains the same information as an authorized copy, but will have a legend across the face with the statement "Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity." Certain items may be redacted and an informational copy may not be used to obtain identification.
Is VitalChek legitimate? ›
We are an authorized online vital records ordering service for California Vital Statistics. That means we can process your request fast, affordably, and securely. The only thing faster is doing it in person – but that's not always possible or convenient, and that's why we're here.
How do I get a copy of my US citizenship certificate? ›
Answer: If you need a Certificate of Naturalization, you may request a replacement by filing form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document. You may request Form N-565 by calling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Forms Line (800) 870-3676 or download via link.
How to order us birth certificate online? ›
VitalChek has partnered with vital record agencies within the United States to bring you the ability to order the vital records you need. To order birth certificates from VitalChek, simply click on the certificate to get started.
Who can certify true copy of documents in USA? ›
A certified true copy is usually a special copy of an original document and is made by a notary public or lawyer.
How to get an authenticated birth certificate? ›
PERSON RESPONSIBLE
- Get an Application Form - Birth Certificate (White Form) from the Information Marshal's booth and fill-out the required information in PRINTED LETTERS. ...
- Submit the required documents to the Payment Window for completeness check. ...
- Pay the corresponding fee for the request. ...
- Proceed to the Releasing Area.
Birth Certificates Processing Times
Most states have an average processing time is 2 to 3 weeks. However, this may change during peak seasons or in states with a larger population. Some states also offer rush service, which means your birth certificate will be processed and shipped faster.
Requests for Certified Copies
CDPH-VR's average time to process a certified copy request is 10 to 12 weeks.
What is the difference between a U.S. birth certificate and a hospital birth certificate? ›
Remember that the live birth hospital form is primarily for data entry purposes. Your Birth Certificate is for official recording purposes and will have the signature and date of a state official on the bottom.
What is the difference between a US birth certificate and a certificate of report of birth? ›
The certificate of live birth simply verifies that you are medically alive, whereas the birth certificate verifies who you are, who your parents are, where you were born, and your date of birth. Without your birth certificate, you cannot prove who you are.
Who can get a copy of a death certificate in California? ›
For death records, legally authorized people are:
- A parent or legal guardian of the deceased;
- A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the deceased;
- An attorney representing the deceased's estate, or any person acting on behalf of the registrant's estate under the authority of the court;
You may buy a birth certificate for a person born in Minnesota from any Minnesota county vital records office. Or you may order a birth certificate from the state vital records office. For births before 1900, make your request to the county in which the birth occurred or the state vital records office.
How much does a birth certificate cost in California? ›
How to get a Maryland birth certificate the same day? ›
Same day service is also available at local health departments in all jurisdictions except Montgomery County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County for individuals born after 1939. For a recorded message about birth certificates, call 410-764-3038 (Baltimore local) or 1-800-832-3277 (toll-free).
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