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

    • I am having a baby girl and was wondering do I have to give her her father's last name or can I give her my last name? And my other question is can he take me back to court to change her last name?
    • I am pregnant with my ex boyfriends baby. If I give my son my last name, can his father fight to make me change the last name to his? and if he can will he win?
    • Where can I get my baby's birth certificate in Tucson az?
    • My boyfreind is currently in prison but right before he was taken into custody we found out I was pregnant. Yes it is his and he acknowledges that. He left me with a power of attorney and it is still valid. I want to know can I use the power of attorney to put him as the father on the birth certificate? And how would I do this? would I just sign as if I were him?
    • What is the process for adding my father to my birth certificate, as an adult?
    • My question is the father of my child wasn't there when we signed the birth certificate so my daughter doesn't have his last name. How can I add him to the birth certificate and add his last name to my daughter?
    • how do i go about finding out if im on an child birth certificate and i dont not know the childs name only the mothers
    • My son was born in Arizona and we moved to Colorado. He has an AZ birth certificate. We have done a paternity test and have determined that the father listed is not correct. We have also had his last name changed. How do I get a birth certificate with his correct last name and father? 
    • I am pregnant and want to give my child my last name. The father and I have never been in a relationship. Can I give my baby just my last name?
    • I'm involved in family court case the mother isn't being cooperative and I may have to file for a default in this case. Is it possible for me to request a copy of the child's birth records to verify the validity of the case prior to filing for a default if she is being resistive to filing a response?

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    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

    Arizona 2-1-1

    Pima County Courts Self Service Center