Beyond proving U.S. citizenship, a birth certificate is essential for obtaining nearly every other form of identification and is required for everything from enrolling in school and getting a passport to joining the military or claiming government benefits. A birth certificate is a vital record that establishes your identity. It certifies your date, time, and place of birth, along with your parents' names and birthplaces.
To get a birth certificate, you'll generally need to submit a completed application to the vital records office or county clerk’s office in the state where you were born, provide proof of identity, and pay a small fee — typically between $15-35. Requirements and fees vary by state, so the specifics depend on where you were born.
Whether you need to replace a lost certificate, obtain one for a child, or request a copy for a family member, we cover everything you need to know in detail below.
In the United States, the federal government doesn’t issue birth certificates. They’re maintained and distributed by individual states and U.S. territories. So, what do you need to get a birth certificate? The answer depends on the requirements set by the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a government agency, has a user-friendly directory with links for all the states and territories. When you navigate to your birthplace, you’ll find information about the cost and application process of requesting a birth certificate.
Each page includes a link for obtaining a birth certificate from the local vital records office, as well as a list of required information and necessary documents. This website also offers helpful guidance for getting a death certificate, marriage record, and divorce records.
If you want to avoid the mental labor of searching for correct information, apply for a birth certificate online with GOV+. The application will only take a few minutes, and we will handle the rest.
Wherever you choose to fill out the application form, you’ll need to provide information about yourself or the person on record (also known as the registrant).
To get a birth certificate, you should have the following information ready:
You’ll also need to provide up-to-date contact information, such as a phone number and email address. Most importantly, you’ll submit a mailing address, which is where the birth certificate will be sent.
One critical piece of information you’ll need to provide when ordering a birth certificate is the reason for your request.
The reason for requesting a birth certificate could be to:
Some application forms may present various options, while others ask you to fill in the blank. Requesting a delayed birth certificate means it wasn’t filed within a year of the person’s birth. In that case, you’d be requesting the original document.
When requesting an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, you’ll need to verify your identity. This might involve uploading a PDF copy or image file of your social security card, driver’s license, passport, or another government-issued photo ID.
If you don’t have this type of valid identification, you can usually provide two or three alternative identifying documents instead. Though approved documents vary, you might be able to use a work or school ID card, property records, or a bank statement. Some states may allow other verification methods, such as a notarized letter from your birth mother or father with a copy of their ID.
Acceptable identification for getting a birth certificate may include:
Some vital records offices have less stringent requirements. It’s possible you’ll be able to obtain a birth certificate without proper identification as long as you have a valid social security number. In this scenario, you may only need to sign a sworn statement of identity.
In some states, such as California, application forms must be notarized. This means a public notary will review the form and documents to ensure they’re authentic and trustworthy.
If the state you were born in requires notarization, you can find a notary at a law office, tax accounting firm, post office, or public library. In addition to the birth certificate form, be sure to bring your ID with you to your notary appointment.
The fees associated with getting a birth certificate vary from state to state. However, the cost of original birth certificates and certified copies ranges between $15-35.
You can find the exact fee for your place of birth on the CDC website.
After filling out the form and providing the necessary documents for an online order request, you can pay the processing fee via credit card (such as Mastercard, Visa, or American Express) through a secure payment portal. If you’re mailing a request, you can pay the appropriate fee with a check or money order.
As we mentioned, you can request a birth record for someone else, such as your child. If you recently had a baby, you’ll want to obtain an original birth certificate as soon as possible. A representative from the nearest vital records office usually initiates the process for children born in hospitals. However, if your child was born at home or at a birthing center, you may need to apply on your own.
Generally speaking, you’re only able to order a birth certificate for a direct family member, but the definition of “direct family member” varies. Since the list of allowed relatives is different from state to state, it’s best to check with the vital records office to make sure you’re qualified to request the document.
You may be able to order a birth certificate if you are the registrant’s:
When ordering a birth certificate for someone other than yourself, you’ll need to state your relationship with that person. Some states can issue heirloom birth certificates. Sometimes called commemorative certificates, these non-legal documents are obtained by a person’s children, grandchildren, or other relatives for sentimental purposes.
If you’re not an immediate family member, you might need to provide additional verifying documents to legitimize your request and identify yourself as a qualified applicant. This could be a copy of your own birth certificate or Power of Attorney (PoA) documentation.
What’s the difference between a certified copy and an original copy of a birth certificate? An original birth certificate is created at the time of a person’s birth, typically within a hospital setting. It’s then filed with the state’s vital records office, certifying an official and legal record of birth.
A certified birth certificate copy, on the other hand, is made by the vital records office of an individual’s state of birth at some point after the original is created. Registrars emboss, stamp, or sign the document, confirming that it’s a true and correct copy of the original. Additionally, a certified copy of a birth certificate will indicate somewhere on the document that it’s not the original. There are certain steps you have to take, and you’ll find them in our guide on how to get a certified copy of your birth certificate.
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1. What do I need in order to get a birth certificate?
You'll need to submit a completed application to the vital records office in the state where you were born, along with proof of identity and payment of a fee (which ranges $15-35, depending on the state).
Required information includes your full name, date of birth, birthplace, parents' full names and birthplaces, and your reason for requesting the certificate. Accepted ID typically includes a driver's license, state-issued photo ID, or passport — though exact requirements vary by state.
You can avoid application mistakes causing delays if you apply for your birth certificate with GOV+ help.
2. Can I use a photocopy or scanned image instead of a certified birth certificate?
No. Government agencies, employers, and most institutions require a certified copy issued directly by a vital records office, complete with an official seal or security features. Photocopies, scanned images, and printed PDFs are not accepted as valid proof of birth or identity.
3. Can I order someone else's birth certificate, like my adult child's or a deceased relative's?
In many states, yes. Eligible requesters typically include parents, spouses, adult children, siblings, legal guardians, and authorized legal representatives.
You'll need to provide proof of your relationship — such as your own birth certificate, a marriage certificate, or the registrant's death certificate — along with a valid reason for the request, such as estate administration or legal proceedings. Eligibility rules vary by state, so it's best to check with the vital records office where the person was born.
4. How far in advance should I order a birth certificate before applying for a passport or Real ID?
Order at least 6–8 weeks before any firm deadline. Processing time and delivery vary by state, and older records may require manual retrieval, which adds time. Building in extra lead time protects you if your certificate needs to meet specific federal or state identity document standards.
If you want to avoid application mistakes that cause further delays, you can apply for your birth certificate with GOV+ help.
5. What is the difference between a certified birth certificate and an original copy?
An original birth certificate is created at the time of birth and filed with the state's vital records office. A certified copy is an official reproduction made by that same office at a later date — it carries an embossed seal, stamp, or registrar's signature confirming it's a true and accurate copy of the original, and it will note on the document that it is not the original. For most legal and identification purposes, a certified copy is what you need.
6. What kind of ID do you need to get a birth certificate?
Most states require a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, state-issued photo ID, or passport. If you don't have one of these, many states allow you to submit two or three alternative documents instead — such as a work or school ID, bank statements, property records, or a notarized letter from a birth parent. Some states may also accept a sworn statement of identity if no other documents are available.
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