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

    • how much is a copy of my birth certificate by mail? since i live out of state and have to mail it in.
    • How can I put my fathers name on my birth certificate if he can not come to the US?
    • 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?
    • 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?
    • I never got my daughter's birth certificate. All I have is the one from the hospital. I now live out of state. What do I need to do to get a certified birth certificate?
    • I found out when I was in my twenties that the father on my birth certificate is not my biological father. How can I get that corrected?, The man on my birth cert is deceased.
    • I applied for birth certificate at hospital for my baby boy when he was born and I have not received it
    • I’ve been married for over 3yrs but he’s been in and out of prison and cheated several times so we separated about 1 1/2 yrs ago. I started dating someone and got pregnant . When I had the baby I didn’t know it was illegal for the boyfriend to sign the birth certificate and not put my husbands name until a friend told me. So what do I do to fix it without getting in trouble? Like I said I had no idea as this was my first child.
    • When my daughter was born 8 yrs ago I was married to a man who is not her father. When we got divorced my attorney had him sign a "waiver of paternity" and I thought that would be all i needed to take his name off, however I'm having difficulty getting this donewithout an attorney. I was hoping someone might be able to get me on the right path
    • I am 21 years old and a new mother to my 4 month old son. My fiance has been there for my son since he was still in my tummy. She is his second primary mother and he has no father. I am the only one on the birth certificate as of right now. How do I go about putting my fiance on his birth certificate since we are both his mothers?

    STORIES

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    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

    Arizona 2-1-1

    Pima County Courts Self Service Center