Get a certified birth certificate
Find the right vital records office and request the certified copy you need.
Responsible agency: State and territory vital records offices · Reviewed 2026-09-29.
Steps to prepare
Find the office where you were born
For a U.S. birth, contact the vital records office in your birth state or territory. Know the city and county of birth.
Check the office’s requirements
Confirm accepted identification, who may request the record, costs, and available order methods. Ask about alternatives if you have lost your IDs.
Request your certified copy
Order through the issuing office’s instructions. U.S. citizens born abroad may instead need a replacement Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
Eligibility to check
- Access rules are set by the issuing jurisdiction.
- Births abroad follow a different record process.
Information or documents to prepare
- Birth location and identifying information
- Proof of identity accepted by the issuing office
Cost and timing
Cost: Fees vary by issuing office and delivery option.
Timing: Ask the issuing office about current processing and expedited options.
Your next step
Locate the vital records office for your place of birth.
Read the official State and territory vital records offices source
This is an independent preparation guide, not an application or eligibility decision. Confirm current requirements with the agency.