The federal government does not issue state or territory birth certificates. Contact the vital records office for the jurisdiction where the birth was registered.
Identify the record you actually need
Government agencies, schools, employers, courts, and other organizations may ask for a certified copy rather than a hospital keepsake, photocopy, abstract, or informational record. Before ordering, ask the receiving organization whether it needs a certified long-form copy, a short-form copy, a record showing parent information, or another version offered by the issuing jurisdiction.
Find the correct issuing jurisdiction
- Born in a state, Washington, D.C., or a U.S. territory: use the vital records office for the place of birth. Some records are available from a state or territory office; others may also be available through a city, county, parish, borough, municipality, or local registrar.
- Born in New York City: New York City maintains a separate vital-records system from the rest of New York State.
- U.S. citizen born abroad: a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or CRBA, is handled by the Department of State rather than a state vital-records office.
- Born in a U.S. territory: use that territory’s vital-records office. A territorial birth is not treated as a foreign birth for CRBA purposes.
Check who is allowed to order
Access rules vary. An adult can commonly request their own record, while requests for another person may require proof of relationship, legal authority, guardianship, a court order, or a stated legal purpose. Some jurisdictions restrict records for a period of time or offer different certified and informational copies.
Prepare the identifying information
The issuing office may request the full name on the birth record, date of birth, city or town, county or equivalent area, hospital if known, sex listed on the record, parents’ names including a parent’s name before marriage, the reason for the request, your relationship to the person, and current contact information. Follow the jurisdiction’s application exactly.
Use the official ordering channel
Depending on the jurisdiction, you may be able to order online, by mail, in person, or through an authorized vendor linked from the government site. Start from the official state, territory, city, or county website. Avoid assuming that a commercial search result is authorized merely because it offers expedited service.
Confirm identity, fee, and delivery rules
Photo identification, a notarized application, supporting documents, or an alternative identity process may be required. Fees, accepted payment methods, processing time, shipping options, and expedited service vary by jurisdiction and can change. Verify them immediately before submitting.
Handle special cases separately
- No record found: ask the issuing office about a delayed registration, a Letter of No Record, or the evidence needed to establish the birth.
- Error or legal change: requesting a copy does not correct the record. Use the jurisdiction’s amendment process for names, parentage, dates, or other data.
- Use outside the United States: a certified copy may also need an apostille or authentication. That is a separate process determined by the destination country and issuing authority.
- Lost all identification: ask the issuing office about sworn statements, notarized identity forms, qualified relatives, or other permitted alternatives.
Birth records issued by another country
This page covers records issued by U.S. states, territories, local offices, or the Department of State. A birth record from Spain or Argentina must be requested through that country’s authorities. View the available country guidance.
Official sources
- USAGov — Get a certified copy of a birth certificate
- CDC — State and territory vital-records directory
- CDC — Vital-records application guidelines
- Department of State — Birth of U.S. citizens abroad