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

    • My son is 10 and two years ago I had a paternity test done with his biological father but I have his step dad on the birth certificate. What can I do to have him removed from the birth certificate?
    • I am about to give birth in a week and i was wondering if i am able to put my babys father last name even if hes not gonna be there when i give birth. We are not married and hes from mexico.
    • my ex wife and i have agreed that the child she concieved is her boy friends we took a home paternity kit now since we all agree on this is there a form we can just fill out without any DNA testing just to get it over with so he can get on the birth certificate
    • 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?
    • The mother of my child says she removed me from my daughters birth cer
    • Someone has my daughter birth certificate and will not return it what can I do Can I take legal action
    • I gave birth to my daughter in feb 2019 Approaching her 1st bday D.E.S requested birth certificate & ss card for her health insurance. I went to vital records & they said the hospital never recorded her name. And to change it I'd have to pay $332 at court to amend it. Her birth cert. States her name is (noname) and my ex husband's last name( we divorced in 2014) that is not her father. I remember filing out the forms and giving them time a nurse.I have no money. What can I do? My baby has a heart condition and needs medical assistance.
    • 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?
    • I had my daughter 3 years ago and did not have her father sign the birth certificate we are still together and he wants to sign her birth certificate how would we go about him signing it
    • My child who I have custody of due to taking his mother to court for mental heath reasons. With that being said I have taken the paternity with it saying I’m the father, which I knew. what do I do now to get my name on my sons birth certificate. I have his birth certificate with me. His mother will not agreee to sign the necessary paperwork for me to be added onto his birth certificate. What packet would I need to go down to the court and get this case started. The end result is be put on the birth certificate and proceed to change his last name to mine bc mother is not present / active.

    STORIES

    • Age discrimination in the workplace. . .
    • He told me that I could actually get all the money I needed by using my home as collateral. . .
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    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
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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