How can i get a copy of my birth certificate

• Overview

• Guidance

• How To

• Fees

• Apply

• Contact

Sections

• Overview
• Guidance
• How To
• Fees
• Apply
• Contact

Overview

Overview

Who is eligible to obtain a birth certificate copy?

• The person named on the birth certificate
• A parent of the person named on the birth certificate whose name appears on the birth certificate
• A spouse, child or other person who has an order from a New York State Court to obtain a copy of a birth certificate

*For births in the five boroughs of New York City, contact the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

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Guidance

Guidance

Download the mail-in application to obtain a copy of a birth certificate.

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How To

How To

Refer to this step by step process to order a birth certificate:

1. Gather the necessary identifying information (See list below)
2. Complete the application online, by telephone or by mail
3. Pay the required fees with credit card (internet only), check drawn from a U.S. bank or with a money order - DO NOT send cash.

1. Submit the application

Ready? Have with you:

Applications must be submitted with either:

• A driver’s license
• A state-issued non-driver photo ID card
• Passport
• U.S. military-issued photo ID

Or applications may be submitted with TWO of the following:

• Utility or telephone bills
• Letter from a government agency dated within the last six months

What if I’m making a request from a foreign country?

If the country you are in requires a U.S. Passport for travel, you must also provide a copy of your passport with your application along with the other identification documents.

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Fees

Fees

ORDER TYPEFEES (per copy)Online or Phone Orders$45 + $8 vendor processing fee per transaction (not per copy)Walk-in Orders$45Mail Orders$30

You may request a certified copy of the birth certificate from any town vital records office or the State Vital Records Office. 

For a birth occurring prior to January 1, 2003:

You may request a certified copy of the birth certificate ONLY from the following:

• The town vital records office of the town where the birth occurred, or
• The town of the mother’s residence at the time of birth, or
• The State Vital Records Office.

Checklist for Obtaining a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate

☐ Make sure that you are eligible to obtain the birth certificate

☐ Complete the application 

☐ Order your vital record online (additional fees may apply) through VitalChek, or

☐ Complete the State application and mail your order in to the State Vital Records office, or

☐ Complete the Town application and mail your order in to the town of occurrence

☐ Include your photo ID

☐ Provide documentation proving that you are entitled to obtain the birth certificate (only applicable if the requester is not the birth registrant or a parent listed on the birth certificate)

☐ Include the applicable fee

Who Can Request a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate?

Birth records are confidential records and are not open to the general public, except for those that are at least 100 years old.  For birth certificates less than 100 years old, you can only obtain the birth certificate if:

• It’s you and you are 18 years of age or older, or an emancipated minor or a certified homeless youth
• You are the parent, legal guardian, grandparent, spouse, adult child, or adult grandchild
• You are an attorney-at-law representing the person named on the birth certificate or an eligible relative (see above), an agent of approved state or federal agency, a member of a Connecticut genealogical society (see the Connecticut State Library for more information) or a Conservator of Person
• For additional eligible parties see C.G.S section 7-51

If you are a representative from a federal or state agency requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate, you must comply with the following requirements:

• Complete and sign the official request on agency letterhead.
• Submit a copy of his/her employee PICTURE IDENTIFICATION issued by the agency.
• Submit a RELEASE OF INFORMATION form signed by the client authorizing the agency to obtain his/her record or, submit an official copy of a guardianship decree issued by a proper Court.
• If a State certified certificate is not needed, you may obtain an official, certified copy from the town of birth
  • The fee for a birth certificate issued from the State of Connecticut Vital Records Unit is $30.00.
  • The fee for a birth certificate issued from the town/city of birth is $20.00.

What Needs to Be Included with Your Request?

All requests for certified copies of birth certificates must be accompanied by:

• a valid, government issued photographic identification which includes the requester’s name, date of birth, signature, and an expiration date. If the State or town vital records office has reason to doubt the authenticity of a document presented, the requester may be asked to provide additional documentation.

OR

• Other forms of identification:  If a photographic identification is not available, two (2) of the documents listed below may be substituted. For mail requests, a photocopy of the document is sufficient, do not send original;

  • Social security card;
  • Social security card supplemented with either an employment identification card, a paycheck stub or a W-2 form. Providing the documents in this subdivision fully satisfies the identification requirements of this section;
  • Automobile registration;
  • Copy of utility bill showing name and current address;
  • Checking account deposit slip or bank statement stating name and current address;
  • Voter registration card;
  • Valid government issued trade or professional license;
  • Valid government issued firearm permit;
  • Probation documents issued by a court or other government agency, pursuant to a criminal conviction;
  • Letter from a government agency verifying identity. The letter shall be dated within six months prior to the date of the request;
  • Release documentation from a correctional institution containing a photograph of the former inmate and a release date within 12 months prior to the date of the request;
  • Birth certificate of the requester;
  • Military discharge papers;
  • Current school or college photographic identification; or
  • Government issued photographic identification that has expired within 12 months prior to the date of the request.

If you are requesting a birth certificate for someone other than yourself or your child, you will need to submit proof verifying your relationship to the person whose birth certificate you are requesting.  For example:

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