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Legal & Civic

Getting a copy of your birth certificate

Order a certified copy from the vital records office in the state where you were born. The federal government doesn't issue them.

Easy20 min to doSet by your birth state

You'll need

  • The city and county where you were born
  • A photo ID, if you have one

Do it like this

  1. Find your birth state's vital records office. The CDC keeps a state-by-state list (CDC).
  2. Order a certified copy online, by mail or in person. Each state sets its own price (USA.gov).
  3. Have the city and county of your birth ready (USA.gov).
  4. Keep it in a safe place with your other important documents.
Watch out. The federal government doesn't distribute birth certificates (CDC). Order from the state office, or a service the state links to, so you don't overpay.

If it doesn't work

  • Lost all your ID? Many states accept other proof, like a sworn statement of identity or a notarized letter from a parent named on the certificate (USA.gov).
  • Born abroad to U.S. parents? A Consular Report of Birth Abroad serves the same purpose (USA.gov).
  • Need other records like a marriage certificate? USA.gov explains how to replace vital documents (USA.gov).

Good to know

Certified copies

Agencies usually need a certified copy, ordered from the vital records office (USA.gov).

Same list for other records

The CDC's list also covers death, marriage and divorce records (CDC).

Order two

If you'll need it for a passport and a license, order more than one copy at once.

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Where to write for vital records
  2. USA.gov How to get a certified copy of a birth certificate
  3. USA.gov Replace your vital documents

Lesson L1.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed. See a mistake?