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How to Find a Birth Certificate for Your Child

by Kate Wharmby Seldman

Overview

Obtaining your child's birth certificate is a simple process. Contact your state's vital records office---which is usually a division of its department of health---and fill out a form requesting an authorized copy of the birth record. Make sure you have identification proving you're the child's mother or father. Follow your state's regulations to ensure you submit all required documents. Pay the processing fee, submit the paperwork, and the birth certificate should be on its way to you.

Step 1

Review the rules governing who can obtain authorized copies of birth certificates in your state. For example, California's laws state that only the person named on the certificate, his or her parents (as named on the certificate), close relatives, and select officials can obtain authorized copies; everyone else can only receive an informational copy. This applies to you if you are an adoptive parent, so know what identification you need to submit.
Step 2

Make sure you've waited enough time after the birth of your baby for the certificate to be on record. For example, the Los Angeles County Vital Records Office suggests you wait six months after the birth before requesting a copy of the birth certificate. Otherwise, the California office may send you a Certificate of No Record, which means they've searched their files and haven't found the document. They'll keep the fee you paid them for the document as payment for their troubles, so don't request too soon.
Step 3

Submit a request form. Find the form on your state's department of health website, fill it out, and either mail it in or submit online, if possible. You may also be required to submit a sworn, notarized statement that you're authorized to obtain the child's birth certificate---even if you are applying online. Check your local regulations.
Step 4

Go to your state's vital records office to request a birth certificate in person. With this option, you can receive the certificate right away. Bring your identification to prove you are the parent of your child. Fill out a request form. The vital records office will usually have these on hand, but just in case, print one out from the web before heading to the office.
Step 5

Pay the processing fee. This varies from state to state.
Step 6

If you mailed your application, wait for the birth certificates to be mailed to you. Each state will have a different estimated time of arrival. California estimates that its county recorder offices will take 18 weeks on average to process and mail birth certificates. Hennepin County Vital Records, which issues birth certificates for Minneapolis, will process requests within two to five days of receipt.

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Application document for certified copy of birth record Processing fee Identification card or passport
Application document for certified copy of birth record
Processing fee
Identification card or passport