Who issues birth certificates in the US
Birth certificates in the United States are issued by the state in which the birth occurred. In every state and the District of Columbia, the issuing office sits inside the Department of Health, sometimes under a "Bureau of Vital Statistics," "Office of Vital Records," or "Center for Health Statistics." A handful of large counties — most notably New York City and the City of New Orleans — operate their own vital registration offices that hold local records in addition to or instead of the state.
For births that occurred outside a hospital or before statewide registration began, the issuing agency may instead be a county or town clerk. Statewide registration of births was implemented at different times in different states, generally between the 1860s (Massachusetts, Vermont) and the 1920s (Georgia, New Mexico, parts of the South). For very old records, the state office often refers requesters to the State Archives or the relevant county.
What you'll need to provide
To order a certified birth certificate, you will generally need:
- Proof of identity. A government-issued photo ID such as a driver license, state ID card, US passport, military ID, or permanent resident card. Some agencies accept a notarized application instead of an ID copy.
- Proof of relationship (when the record is restricted). Most states restrict full birth and death certificates to the registrant, immediate family, legal representatives, and certain government agencies. Be ready to identify your relationship and, in some states, attach supporting documentation (your own birth certificate, marriage certificate, or court appointment as executor).
- Specifics about the record. Full legal name on the record, date of the event, place of the event (city and county), and the names of parents (for births) or spouse (for marriages and deaths).
- The fee. Personal check, money order, or — for online and in-person requests — a credit or debit card. State fees range from about $5 to about $35 per copy, plus shipping and any expedited-service surcharge.
How long it takes
Mail-in turnaround varies enormously, from about two weeks (Vermont, North Dakota, Iowa) to nine months in some California counties. In-person and approved-online requests are almost always faster, and many states offer same-day service at the central office in the capital. If you need a record on a deadline — for example, before a passport appointment — order in person if you can, or use the state-approved online vendor.
Browse birth certificates by state
Each state link below opens a guide tailored to that jurisdiction's office, fees, processing time, and rules. We cover all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Puerto Rico
- US Virgin Islands
- Guam
- American Samoa
- Northern Mariana Islands
For deeper background on identification requirements and acceptable document substitutes, see an authoritative outside guide for the federal-level guidance many state offices defer to.
Common questions
Can I order a birth certificate from another state on someone else's behalf?
Sometimes. Most states allow immediate family members and legal representatives (with documentation) to order. Distant relatives, friends, and unrelated third parties typically cannot order a full certified copy of a recent record, but they may be able to order an informational or genealogical copy of an older record.
Do I need an apostille?
Only if you are submitting the certificate to a foreign government that is party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State of the state that issued the certificate, not by the vital records office itself. Order the certified copy first, then send it to the Secretary of State for authentication.
Can I get a same-day copy?
In many states, yes — if you visit the central office in the state capital in person with ID and the fee. A few states also offer same-day service through approved courthouse pick-up. Mail and standard online orders almost never qualify for same-day turnaround, regardless of how much you pay.