A Listing of Vital Statistics Office Phone Numbers for Each State
For people born outside of California in the U.S., this Appendix provides a chart that contact information for the Vital Statistics Office (also called Vital Records Office) in each state. However, because these addresses and phone numbers are subject to change, you should check with the CDC for the most up-to-date information. You can:
- Visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm
- Call the CDC directly by phone at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
- OR
- Write to the CDC at:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1600 Clifton RoadAtlanta, GA 30329-4027
Once you locate the Vital Statistics Office in the state where you were born, let them know that you are trying to get an authorized certified copy of your birth certificate. Ask (1) what their procedures are; (2) what you need to send the Vital Statistics Office; and (3) the cost.
IMPORTANT NOTE IF YOU ONLY HAVE A PRISON/JAIL ID CARD: If the only identification (ID) that you currently have is a valid prison ID card, it may be enough in some states to request your birth certificate. First, call the state where you were born, follow the instructions to be connected to an operator, and confirm what document you need to provide to get your certified birth certificate. If you only have a prison ID card, here are a few examples of what states will ask you to provide in addition to that card:
- Idaho and Delaware accept a current prison ID card (no older than the current year), with a photo on it, to be copied and sent with your application and payment for a birth certificate. Arizona, on the other hand, needs only a notarized signature along with full payment, and does not require a copy of your prison/jail ID card.[298]Oregon has a long list of acceptable forms of ID. If you do not have one of the primary forms of ID (such as a driver's license or passport) you may need to include as many as three documents to prove your identity. These can include parole papers showing date of birth and identity, your prison/jail ID card, vehicle registration or title, hospital card, and utility bills, among other possibilities.[299]
The point is, it’s best to call ahead and ask!
CONTACT INFORMATION OF VITAL STATISTICS OFFICES IN EVERY STATE | |||
STATE | MAILINGADDRESS | PHONE | COST FOR A COPY OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE, AND WHO TO ADDRESS THE CHECK TO |
Alabama | Alabama Vital Records P.O. Box 5625 Montgomery, AL 36103-5625 | (334) 206-5418 | $15.00 (Additional copies $6.00 each, and to expedite a request is an additional $15.00) Check or money order should be made payable to “State Board of Health” |
Alaska | Dept. of Health and Social Services Bureau of Vital Statistics 5441 Commercial Blvd. Juneau, AK 99801 | (907) 465-3391 | $30.00 (Additional copies are $25.00 each) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Bureau of Vital Statistics” SPECIAL NOTES: You must include a copy of government-issued picture ID with your application (e.g., Identification Card, Drivers License, a Prison/Jail ID Card, etc.) While copying/scanning picture ID, enlarge the copy and lighten the picture on the computer or printer as much as possible to be sure that it is clear and readable when sent to Alaska’s Bureau of Vital Statistics. REQUIRED: After copying your picture ID, you must sign the paper you submit along with the application itself. |
American Samoa | American Samoa Government Dept. of Homeland Security Office of Vital Statistics P.O. Box 6894 Pago Pago, AS 96799 | (684) 633- 1405/1406. For Health Information Office, Health and Vital Statistics call (684) 633-4606/2262 | $5.00 Money order should be made payable to “The Office of Vital Statistics/ASG.” Personal checks are not accepted. |
Arizona | Office of Vital Records Arizona Dept. of Health Services P.O. Box 3887 Phoenix, AZ 85030-3887 | (602) 364-1300 | $20.00 Cashier’s checks and money orders must be for the exact amount and made payable to “Office of Vital Records” SPECIAL NOTES: Acceptable payment methods are cashier’s check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. If you pay by credit/debit card, you must include the full number and expiration date on your application. |
Arkansas | Arkansas Dept. of Health 4815 West Markham St. Little Rock, AR 72205 | (501) 661-2336 | $12.00 ($10.00 for each additional copy) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Arkansas Dept. of Health” |
California | CA Dept. of Public Health—Vital Records MS: 5103 P.O. Box 997410 Sacramento, CA 95899-7410 | (916) 445-2684 | $25.00 A personal check or money order should be made payable to “CDPH Vital Records” |
Canal Zone | Vital Records Section Passport Services U.S. Dept. of State 1111 19th St. NW, Suite 510 Washington, DC 20522-1705 | (202) 955-0307 | $30.00 (Additional copies of the same record requested at the same time are $20.00 each. Personal check or money order must be signed, dated and made payable to “U.S. Dept. of State” |
Colorado | Vital Records Section CO Dept. of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South HSVRD-VS-A1 Denver, CO 80246-1530 | (303) 692- 2200 | $17.75 (Additional copies of the same birth record ordered at the same time are $10.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Records Section” |
Connecticut | CT Dept. of Public Health 410 Capitol Ave., MS #11 VRS Hartford, CT 06134 | (860) 509-7897 | $30.00 Requests sent to the State Vital Records Office require a postal money order made payable to the “Treasurer, State of Connecticut” |
Delaware | Office of Vital Statistics Division of Public Health 417 Federal St. Dover, DE 19901 | (302) 744-4549 | $25.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Office of Vital Statistics” |
District of Colombia | Vital Records Division 899 North Capitol St. NE, First Floor Washington, DC 20002 | (202) 671- 5000 | $23.0 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “DC Treasurer” |
Florida | Dept. of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics P.O. Box 210 1217 Pearl St. (Zip 32202) Jacksonville, FL 32231-0042 | (904) 359-6900 | $9.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Bureau of Vital Statistics” |
Georgia | MAIL-IN REQUEST: State Vital Records Office 2600 Skyland Dr., NE Atlanta, GA 30319 IN-PERSON REQUEST: There are 159 counties in Georgia. You can go to the office in the county where you were born. If you aren’t sure, call the phone number listed to the right. | (404) 679-4702 Call this phone number if you need the mailing address or telephone of a specific county’s Vital Records office in Georgia. | $25.00 (Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $5.00.) A certified check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Records Services” SPECIAL NOTES: All requests for vital records include the signature and photocopy picture ID of the requestor and the proper fee. |
Guam | Office of Vital Statistics P.O. Box 2816 Hagatna, Guam 96932 | (671) 735-7292 | $5.00 Money order should be made payable to “Treasurer of Guam” |
Hawaii | State Dept. of Health Office of Health Status Monitoring Issuance/Vital Statistics Section P.O. Box 3378 Honolulu, HI 96801 | (808) 586-4533 | $10.00 (Additional copies ordered at the same time are $4.00 each.) Cashiers check, certified check, or money order should be made payable to “State Dept. of Health” |
Idaho | Vital Records Unit Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0036 | (208) 334- 5988 | $13.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Idaho Vital Records” |
Illinois | Division of Vital Records Illinois Dept. of Public Health 925 E Ridgely Ave. Springfield, IL 62702 | (217) 782-6553 | $15.00 (Additional certifications of the same record ordered at the same time are $2.00 each.) Money orders, certified checks, or personal checks should be made payable to “Illinois Dept. of Public Health” |
Indiana | Vital Records Indiana State Dept. of Health P.O. Box 7125 Indianapolis, IN 46206-7125 | (317) 233-2700 | $10.00(Additional copies of the same birth record ordered at the same time are $4.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Indiana State Dept. of Health” |
Iowa | Iowa Dept. of Public Health Bureau of Vital Records Lucas Office Building 1st Floor 321 East 12th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-0075 | (515) 281-4944 | $15.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Iowa Dept. of Public Health” |
Kansas | Office of Vital Statistics, Curtis State Office Building 1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 120 Topeka, Kansas 66612-2221 | (785) 296-1400 | $15.00(Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $15.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Statistics” |
Kentucky | Office of Vital Statistics Dept. for Public Health, Cabinet for Health and Family Services 275 East Main St. 1E-A Frankfort, KY 40621-0001 | (502) 564- 4212 | $10.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer” |
Louisiana | Office of Public Health Vital Records Registry P.O. Box 60630 New Orleans, LA 70160 | (504) 593-5100 Fax: (504) 568-8716 | Louisiana (LA) Birth Certificate Types: Birth Long: (SUGGESTED, CERTIFIED) A certified birth certificate that can typically be used for travel, passport, proof of citizenship, social security, driver's license, school registration, personal identification and other legal purposes. Birth Certificates are available for events that occurred in the State of Louisiana within the last 100 years. First Long Copy: $15.00; Additional Copies: $15.00 Birth Short—Card: The Birth Short—Card is a wallet size version of the Birth Certificate that can be used for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS CANNOT BE USED TO OBTAIN A PASSPORT, DRIVER'S LICENSE OR TRAVEL. First Copy: $9.00; Additional Copies: $9.00 Checks made payable to “Louisiana Vital Records” SPECIAL NOTES: Walk-in services only accept cash, check, or money order payment (no credit/debit cards). |
Maine | Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention 11 State House Station 220 Capitol St. Augusta, Maine 04333-0011 | (207) 287-3181, or toll-free at 1-888-664-949 | Certified $15.00. Non-Certified $10.00. (Additional copies of same record ordered at same time are $6.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Treasurer, State of Maine” |
Maryland | Division of Vital Records Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene 6550 Reisterstown Road P.O. Box 68760 Baltimore, MD 21215-0036 | (410) 260-6400 | $24.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Division of Vital Records” |
Massachusetts | Registry of Vital Records and Statistics 150 Mount Vernon St., 1st Floor Dorchester, MA 02125-3105 | If your birth certificate is from the year 1920 or earlier, CALL (617) 727-2816 If your birth certificate is from the year 1921 or later, CALL (617) 740-2600 | $20.00 (In-person Request) $32.00 (Mail-In request) Additional $3.00 for Birth Certificated from year 1920 or earlier Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Commonwealth of Massachusetts” SPECIAL NOTES: State office has no records previous to 1921. For earlier records, write to The Massachusetts Archives at Columbia Point, 220 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125 (617) 727-2816. |
Michigan | Vital Records Request P.O. Box 30721 Lansing, MI 48909 | To request an application, call the recorded message at (517) 335-8656 to leave your name and mailing address with type of application needed. To speak to a customer service representative call (517)- 335-8666 and press option #4 | $34.00 (Only $14.00 for Senior Citizens age 65+ if requesting their own birth record.) Rush fee additional $12.00. Additional copies of any record ordered at the same time are $16.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “State of Michigan” |
Minnesota | Minnesota Dept. of Health Central Cashiering – Vital Records P.O. Box 64499 St. Paul, MN 55164 | (651) 201-5970 | $26.00 (Additional copies of the birth record when ordered at the same time are $19.00.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to Minnesota Dept. of Health. |
Mississippi | Mississippi Vital Records State Dept. of Health P.O. Box 1700 Jackson, MS 39215-1700 | To verify current fees, the telephone number is (601) 576-7981. A recorded message may be reached on (601) 576-7450 | $15.00 (Additional copies of same record ordered at the same time are $5.00 each.) Personal check, bank or postal money order or bank cashier’s check are accepted and should be made payable to “Mississippi State Dept. of Health” |
Missouri | Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services Bureau of Vital Records 930 Wildwood P.O. Box 570 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570 | (573) 751-6387 | $15.00(Copies of these records are $15.00 each) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services” SPECIAL NOTES: Please include a legal size self- addressed stamped envelope. |
Montana | Office of Vital Statistics, MT Dept. of Public Health and Human Services 111 N Sanders, Rm. 6 P.O. Box 4210 Helena, MT 59604 | (406) 444- 2685 | $12.00 (Additional copies of the same record requested at the same time are $5.00.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Montana Vital Records” |
Nebraska | Nebraska Vital Records P.O. Box 95065 Lincoln, NE 68509-5065 | (402) 471- 2871 | $17.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Nebraska Vital Records” |
Nevada | Office of Vital Records 4150 Technology Way, Suite 104 Carson City, NV 89706 | (775) 684- 4242 | $20.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Office of Vital Records” |
New Hampshire | Division of Vital Records Administration— Archives Building 71 South Fruit St. Concord, NH 03301-2410 | (603) 271-4651 | $15.00 Personal check or money should be made payable to “Treasurer, State of New Hampshire” |
New Jersey | New Jersey Dept. of Health Office of Vital Statistics and Registry P.O. Box 370 Trenton, NJ 08625-0370 | TOLL FREE (866) 649-8726 (OR visit online at http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital for up-to-date information on ordering) | $25.00 (Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $2.00 each.) SPECIAL NOTES: For information on Express Mail or In persons order visit http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/contact.shtml |
New Mexico | NM Vital Records P.O. Box 25767 Albuquerque, NM 87125 | TOLL FREE (866) 534-0051 | $10.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “NM Vital Records” |
New York | Certification Unit Vital Records Section, 2nd Floor 800 North Pearl St. Menands, NY 12204 | 1-855-322-1022 | $30.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “New York State Dept. of Health” |
New York City | NYC Health Department Office of Vital Records 125 Worth St., CN4, Rm. 133 New York, NY 10013 | (212) 639-9675 | $15.00 (Additional Copies $15.00) SPECIAL NOTES: The office has birth records for people who were born and/or died in the five boroughs of New York City: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island. Birth records issued before 1910 and death records issued before 1949 must be ordered through the Municipal Archives. For more information please visit: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/services/vr-order-other.shtml or write to Dept. of Records and Information Services, 31 Chambers St., New York, NY 10007. |
North Carolina | NC Vital Records 1903 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1903 | (919) 733- 3000 | $24.00 Business or certified check or money order should be made payable to “NC Vital Records” |
North Dakota | ND Dept. of Health Division of Vital Records 600 East Blvd. Ave., Dept. 301 Bismarck, ND 58505-0200 | (701) 328- 2360 | $7.00(Additional copies of birth records are $4.00) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “ND Dept. of Health” |
North Mariana Islands | Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Vital Statistics Office P.O. Box 500409 Saipan, MP 96950 | (670) 236-8717 or (670) 236-8702 | $20.00 Money order or bank cashiers check should be made payable to “Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation” |
Ohio | Vital Statistics Ohio Dept. of Health P.O. Box 15098 Columbus, OH 43215-0098 | (614) 466- 2531 | $21.50 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Treasury, State of Ohio” |
Oklahoma | Vital Records Service Oklahoma State Dept. of Health P.O. Box 53551 Oklahoma City, OK 73152 | (405) 271-4040 | $15.00(Additional Copies $ 15.00 each) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “OSDH” |
Oregon | Oregon Vital Records P.O. Box 14050 Portland, OR 97293-0050 | (971) 673-1190 | $20.00(Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $15.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “OHA/Vital Records” |
Pennsylvania | Division of Vital Records ATTN: Birth Unit 101 South Mercer St., Room 401 P.O. Box 1528 New Castle, PA 16103 | (724) 656-3100 | $20.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Records” |
Puerto Rico | Dept. of Health Demographic Registry P.O. Box 11854 Fernández Juncos Station San Juan, PR 00910 | (787) 765-2929 Ext. 6131 | $5.00 ($4.00 each additional copy requested on the same application. Registrants over 60 years of age and Veterans of the United States Armed Forces can obtain copies of their birth records free of charge.) Payment method via money orders, which should be made payable to the “Secretary of Treasury” SPECIAL NOTES: Maximum three (3) copies per registrant per year. Beneficiaries of a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces can obtain copies of their death records free of charge (widow or children under 21 years of age). |
Rhode Island | RI Dept. of Health Office of Vital Records, Room 101 3 Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908-5097 | To verify current fees after office hours, the telephone number is (401) 222-2811. To verify current fees and general information during office hours, please call the Health Hot Line at (401) 222-5960 | $20.00(Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $15.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Rhode Island General Treasurer” |
South Carolina | Office of Vital Records, SCDHEC 2600 Bull St. Columbia, SC 29201 | (803) 898-3630 | $12.00(Additional copies of the same birth records ordered at the same time of certification are $3.00 each.) Acceptable method of payment is a money order or cashiers check made payable to “SCDHEC- Vital Records.” |
South Dakota | Vital Records, State Dept. of Health 207 E Missouri Ave, Suite 1-A Pierre, SD 57501 | (605) 773-4961 | $15.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “South Dakota Dept. of Health.” |
Tennessee | Tennessee Vital Records Central Services Building 4215th Ave. North Nashville, TN 37243 | (615) 741- 1763 | Long term- $15.00 Short term- $ 8.00 (Additional copies of the same birth, marriage, or divorce record requested at the same time are $5.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Tennessee Vital Records” |
Texas | Texas Vital Records Dept. of State Health Services P.O. Box 12040 Austin, TX 78711-2040 | (512) 776- 7111 | $22.00 (Additional copies of the birth record ordered at same time are $22.00 each. Mail-in requests must be made by personal check or money order made payable to DSHS. |
Utah | Certification Unit Office of Vital Records P.O. Box 141012 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-1012 | (801) 538-6105 | $20.00 (Additional copies, when requested at the same time, are $8.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Records” SPECIAL NOTES: ID is now required to purchase a Utah Birth Certificate. Mailed request must include an enlarged and easily identifiable photocopy of the front and back of your ID. If no proofs are enclosed, your application will be returned. |
Vermont | VT Dept. of Health Vital Records Section P.O. Box 70 108 Cherry St. Burlington, VT 05402-0070 | (802) 863-7275 | $10.00. Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Vermont Dept. of Health” |
Virginia | Division of Vital Records P.O. Box 1000 Richmond, VA 23218-1000 | (804) 662-6200 | $12.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “ State Health Department” SPECIAL NOTES: Must submit a photocopy of their ID. |
Virgin Islands | Dept. of Health Vital Statistics, Charles Harwood Memorial Hospital St. Croix, VI 00820 | (340) 774-9000 ext. 4685 or 4686 | $15.00 (mail requests). $12.00 (in person). Money order for birth records should be made payable to “Department of Health” SPECIAL NOTES: Personal checks are not accepted |
Washington | Center for Health Statistics Department of Health P.O. Box 9709 Olympia, WA 98504-7814 | (360) 236- 4300 | $20.00(For Expedited Delivery must add Express Mail, an additional $18.30) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Department of Health” |
West Virginia | Vital Registration Office, Room 165 350 Capitol St. Charleston, WV 25301-3701 | (304) 558-2931 VitalChek Phone: (877) 448-3953 Fax: (866) 870-8723 | $12.00(By Mail or In Person) $30.50 + shipping (By Phone, Internet, or Fax) (Non-Rush Fee Charged by VitalChek) $35.50 + shipping (Rush Fee Charged by VitalChek) SPECIAL NOTES: Can order in person, by mail, by phone, Internet or fax (Credit Card/ Debit Card Only). Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Registration” |
Wisconsin | WI Vital Records Office 1 West Wilson St. P.O. Box 309 Madison, WI 53701-0309 | For 24/7 automated assistance, call (608) 266-1371. If you want to talk to a live person, call the service counter 8:00 A.M. to 4:15 P.M. (Central Time), Monday through Friday at (608) 266-1373 | $20.00 (Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $3.00 each.) Personal check or money order should be made payable to “State of Wisconsin Vital Records” SPECIAL NOTES: A stamped, self addressed business size (#10) envelope should be include with the request. A copy of valid photo ID and a signature is required of the applicant. |
Wyoming | Vital Statistics Services Hathaway Building 2300 Capitol Avenue Cheyenne, WY 82002 | (307) 777-7591 | $13.00 Personal check or money order should be made payable to “Vital Statistics Services" SPECIAL NOTES: Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the request. All personal checks are only accepted when: (1) the requestor is entitled to the record and the check in personalized and on the account of the person making the request; (2) third party or non-bank checks will not be processed. |