What do i need for my birth certificate

Requests for Recorded Documents can be made in person, by mailing a completed application for a certified copy of a vital record, or our self service page. We do not accept requests for copies by phone, fax, or email. Copies can be ordered online through an independent partner company that will mail the documents to you. Details are on the Ordering Records Online page.

Be sure the information you supply is complete and accurate. If you request a copy of an official record and we cannot find it, we are not able to refund the fee. The California Statutes require us to retain it as a search fee. See our fee schedule page.

Our location, hours, and mailing address can be found on our Contact Information page. Check our calendar for dates closed if you will be requesting copies in person. The Fresno County Department of Public Health can also provide birth and death certificates for the current and previous year only.

California birth, death, fetal death, still birth, marriage, and divorce records are also maintained by California Department of Public Health Vital Records (CDPH). They have information and forms to correct or amend a record, add or change a parent's name, preparing new certificates for adoptions, and changes in paternity information.

Restricted Copies

Anyone may obtain a restricted certified copy of a birth or death record. The record is for informational purposes only and may not be used to establish identity. Restricted copies will have across the face of the document the words:

"INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY"

Unrestricted Copies

If you need a certified copy to obtain a driver's license, passport, or register for insurance coverage you should not use a restricted certified copy of a birth or death record. To obtain an unrestricted certified copy of a birth record you must be one of the following:

Your birth certificate is an important personal document. It's proof of identity for many purposes, such as claiming government benefits, enrolling in school and applying for a passport or driver licence.

Before you can get a birth certificate, the birth needs to be registered in Victoria. See Register a birth.

When ordering a certificate you will need to prove your identity.

Read our information for young people on getting a birth certificate.

Get an overview of the steps for getting a birth certificate.

Apply now (External link)

The saying always goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone,” and the saying goes for birth certificates as well. You might not realize the importance of this document, until the last second when you need it. Here are five instances where having your birth certificate is crucial: 

1. Obtaining a Driver’s License

Most states require you to provide a birth certificate to prove your identity when applying for a driver’s license. This is generally because a driver’s license is also frequently used as a primary source of identification. 

2. Replacing a Social Security Card

If you need a new copy of your social security card, you will likely be asked to show a copy of your birth certificate. The Social Security Office needs to verify your identity before issuing a new card, and a birth certificate and one other form of identification – like a driver’s license – is required. 

3. Getting Married

In certain states, you will need to prove your identity to receive a marriage certificate. A marriage license is an important document that is used for legal purposes, so you will need to supply your birth certificate to verify your identity. 

4. Registering for School

Most states in America require that you present your birth certificate to register for school. This not only ensures that you are who you say you are, but also ensures that you are in the correct class based on the proper age.

5. Traveling Abroad

If you are planning to travel anywhere outside of the country, you will need your original – or certified – copy of your birth certificate. Why? The reason is that a birth certificate is one of the required documents to apply for a passport, which you will need for international travel. It can take a while to receive a passport, so be sure to track your birth certificate down well in advance.

Birth certificates are essential identifying records, also used to obtain other forms of ID, social benefits, like a Social Security Card, and even to enroll in school.

If you have lost your birth certificate, if it’s damaged or destroyed, you will need to replace it. If you just had a baby, it is also essential to obtain a birth certificate for your newborn as soon as possible.

Obtaining a birth certificate online is easy, you will need to complete the form for the state where the birth occurred, pay the processing fees, and depending on the state, provide ID to prove you are who you say you are.

Birth certificates are maintained at a state and county level. Each state has their form to complete with basic information about the person whose certificate you are requesting. You will be required to provide the following data:

• The full name of the person on record
• Date of birth
• Place of birth (city, county, or hospital)
• Gender
• Parents’ full names (and in some states), their marital status at the time of your birth.

You will also need to provide the reason for requesting the certificate, for instance, to renew your passport or driver’s license, claiming a pension or insurance benefits; this will help state officials determine whether you need a long or short version of the birth certificate.

The last step is to provide your contact details such as email, phone number, and address. Some states do not deliver to P.O. Boxes, and in other the billing and shipping address must be the same.

Once you complete the form you are required to pay the processing fees using a credit card, or when sending via mail, by check or money order.

When ordering a birth certificate, you must also provide your relationship with the person on record. In some states, the records are sealed, and only direct family members may request a certified copy of the birth certificate.

If you are not an immediate family member but have a proven tangible interest, then you will be required to provide further documents, like court orders or affidavits, to legitimize your claim. In some states depending on the relationship you have with the person on record, you may be required to provide further information, for example, in Colorado, if you are requesting one of your parents’ birth certificate, you must provide your own along with the application.

If you are a legal guardian you must provide the corresponding documentation, or if you have appointed rights as power of attorney or an executor of the registrant’s estate, you must include a copy of a Power of Attorney (PoA), or supporting documentation identifying you as executor. The POA is always required in case the individual object of the birth certificate, or the eligible family member is unable is unable to apply for a birth certificate,

Documents needed to prove your identity

When submitting your application to request a certified copy of your birth certificate, you are required to prove your identity. In most cases, you will be required to provide a copy of your photo ID, i.e., passport, driver’s license or state photo ID.

Most states offer lists of alternative forms of identification should a valid form of photo ID not be available, like work ID, utility bill, school ID, or property tax bill. Usually, in these cases, you will be required to provide copies of two, or three, alternative documents to prove your identity.

In other states, like California, you are required to have your application notarized by a public notary to verify your identity. In such cases, you must provide both your ID and form and sign it in front of a notary public, and are not required to submit a photocopy of your ID. The Sworn Letter will be enough proof of identity.

What do I need to get a copy of my birth certificate in Texas?

Be a person qualified to order a birth certificate online: If you are a Texas resident, you can order your own certificate or those of immediate family members..
State-issued driver's license or ID number,.
Social Security Number, AND..
Relationship to individual listed on the record..

How much is a copy of a birth certificate in Illinois?

For $15 for the first copy of a birth certificate and $2 for each additional copy of the same certificate requested at the same time, you will obtain a birth certificate with information collected at the time of your birth (information has varied throughout the years).

What do you need for a birth certificate in Colorado?

A valid driver license, state issued identification or passport that are not expired is required.

How much are birth certificates in California?

Birth Certificate. Fees Per Copy are: Birth Certificate: $34.00 per copy. Death Certificate: $26.00 per copy.