How to get a copy of U.S. birth certificate?

Birth certificates are issued at the state or county level, not federally. In order to get a copy of a U.S. birth certificate, you will need to contact the vital records office in the state or territory where the birth occurred. Most states will require the following information in order to procced the request:

You may request a birth certificate through one of the following formal methods:

• In Person: Visit the state or local vital records office to submit your request directly. All in-person orders require an appointment. Click here to schedule an appointment online.

• Online: Submit your application via the official website of the state’s vital records office or through an authorized service provider such as VitalChek.

Note: You cannot submit your application by email.

• By Mail: Complete the birth certificate application form provided by the relevant state authority and send it, along with the required documentation and payment, to the appropriate vital records office.

To Download and complete the state’s birth certificate application form click here .

If you live in New York City , you should mail the application at:
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
125 Worth Street, Room CN-4, Room 119
New York, NY 10013

If you were born outside of New York City, including elsewhere in New York State, the CDC  has information on how you can order a certificate.

We recommend ordering online through VitalChek, which is the fastest way to receive your certificate.

The cost of obtaining a birth certificate varies by state. If you request expedited processing or choose a shipping option, additional fees will apply. The standard fee typically starts at $15.
Processing times may also vary depending on the state and the mail service selected. In general, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to receive the birth certificate.
For more details on fees and processing time click here .