Birth Certificate Article


How to Get a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate

The Arizona Department of Health Services or the local county health department Office of Vital Records will provide certain interested parties with certified copies of a birth or death certificate. Arizona is a “closed record” state. That means only certain parties may request and receive certified copies of a birth or death certificate

The Arizona Department of Health Services can only provide birth or death certificates for births or deaths that occur in Arizona. Contact the State in which the birth or death occurred if you need a birth or death certificate for someone born or having died outside of Arizona.  Here is a link to a website that will direct you to the state agencies that provide copies of birth or death certificates - https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm

Obtaining a certified birth certificate in Arizona

A certified birth certificate can be used for obtaining a passport, proving you have a right to work in the U.S., proof of citizenship, school registration, when applying for Social Security benefits, and other legal purpose.

In Arizona only the following people can get a certified copy of a birth certificate.

  • The individual,
  • Parents,
  • Spouse,
  • Grandparent,
  • Adult child,
  • Adult grandchild,
  • Adult brother or sister,
  • Guardian,
  • Conservator,
  • A person designated in a court order,
  • Attorney representing the individual, individual’s parent, or individual’s guardian,
  • Adoption agencies representing a biological or adoptive parents, and
  • Private attorney representing adoptive parents. Only persons over 18 may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate.

    Apply In Person:

    The Arizona Department of Health Services does not provide same day walk in service.  The local county health department Bureau of Vital Records may provide same day walk in service.

    Here is a link to each Arizona county’s local health department where you can find information about how to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate from the specific counties - http://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/vital-records/index.php#fees-home.

    Apply By Mail:

    To apply by mail to the Arizona Department of Health Services for a certified copy, one must submit the following:
  • A completed Application for Certified Copy of Birth Certificate
  •  A copy of the front and back of your valid government-issued picture identification which bears your signature or have your signature notarized. Note: If you are not the registrant or the parent named on the certificate, you must also submit proof of eligibility. 
  • A self-addressed stamped envelope with your request.
  • Appropriate fee, according to this fee schedule. Acceptable payment methods are: cashier's checks, money orders, Visa, or MasterCard. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH. Cashier's checks and money orders must be for the exact amount and made payable to Office of Vital Records. If you pay by credit/debit card, you must include the full card number and expiration date on your application.
       

    Mail all this information to: Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 6018, Phoenix, AZ, 85005.

    You should receive the certified birth certificate within 7-10 business days after mailing the request.

    For More Information:

    Here is a link to the Arizona Department of Health Service’s web page explaining how to apply for a certified copy of a birth certificate - http://azdhs.gov//licensing/vital-records/index.php#birth-certificates-apply.

    • Attached Document
    .pdf How to Get a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate


    Comments:

    On 6/30/08
    AZLawHelp said
    Thank you for your comment. The information has been updated to address the issue. We have also added a link to the office of vital records.

    On 6/25/08
    Yolanda said
    Fees you advised are not accurate since my money order for $15.00 for 1 copy of my birth certificate on birth prior to 1990 was returned and AZ Hall of Records advised remittance of $10.00

    QUESTIONS

    • If the father is not listed on the birth certificate can you stillget chils support
    • How can I remove non-paternal father on birth certificate and add paternal. Does non-paternal have to relinquish rights first, or can it be changed by DNA submission.
    • I had my daughter 2 months ago and allowed my, then boyfriend, to sign stating that he was the baby's father. His name is on the birth certificate but we have since found out that he is not the baby's father. What do I have to do to get his name off the birth certificate now. We are no longer together and the biologicial father wants to be on the birth certificate. What do I have to do?
    • Am trying to get my father's name on my birth certificate he lives in a different country and can't come to the US I've called vital records and the tell me to call the Maricopa superior court i called they transfered me to the family Court from there they told me to call the civil court and i did but they told me they can't do anything and told me to go to the website it seem like no one can help me what can i do ?
    • My daughter is 2 1/2 when she was born I was with a man who is not her father and he signed the birth certificate and took claim for her until we split a year ago. I want him off the birth certificate and to change her last name. What papers do I need to file? How would I go about doing this? He has not had contact with her in over 6 months and I can’t even contact him anymore.
    • My daughters was born last month and her father would like to be on her birth certificate. But he is located in Mexico and is not able to sign so he can be on the certificate. Is there any form that he can fill out in mexico in front of a notary him stating that he agrees with being on the birth certificate. Could he go to the Americana consul or something for this to occur. Please Help!!!
    • I RECUESTED MY KIDS BIRTH CERTIFICAT ON DECEMBER 31,2014 IN PERSON BUT I DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE CLEARK GAVE ME THE WRONG CERTIFICT CAN I GO EXCHANGE IT OR DO I HAVE TO PAY AGAIN I STILL HAVE THE ONE THEY GAVE ME. BUT ITS BEEN MORE THEN 8 MONTH.
    • I'm 18 years old and I would like to have the father's name removed from my birth certificate. I don't want to have a test done or anything and I don't want to put a different name, I just don't want his name on it. How would I go about doing this?
    • My mother remarried when I was 2 years old. My brother and I both were enrolled in school using my stepdad's last name even though our last name was still legally our birth certificate name. I got married using stepdad's last name. My mother, real father and brother are all deceased and even though I have a certified copy of my birth certificate I am having a hard time proving that it is me, since I never used that last name. I am 65 years old and have had my driver's license since I was 16, moved to Arizona last year but cannot get my license/passport. What can I do? Terry Jaynes
    • My wife and I have been together for 7 years and just got legally married yesterday (Yay az!) We've had the kids together. Can I put name on the bc? How do I make her a legal parent?

    STORIES

    LegalLEARN

    FIND LEGAL HELP

    • Please select your county of residence below.

      County:
       

    OTHER LEGAL RESOURCES

    • State Bar of Arizona
      www.azbar.org
    • Maricopa County Bar
      www.maricopabar.org
      Referral number 602-257-4434
    • Pima County Bar
      www.pimacountybar.org
      Referral number 520-623-4625
    • National Domestic Violence Hotline
      800-799-7233
    • Bankruptcy Court Self Help Center
      866-553-0893
    • Certified Legal Document Preparer Program
      Link

    ORGANIZATIONS

    Documents

    .pdf  Birth Certificate Application Form ReadSpeaker

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Where to Find an Attorney for Specific Legal Advice

    How to Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate

    LINKS

    Birth Certificates - Arizona Office of Vital Records

    Pima County Courts Self Service Center

    Arizona 2-1-1