All Your Ducklings in a Row: Getting a Birth Certificate for Your Baby

Proud new parents have a lot on their plates, and paperwork is often the last thing on their minds, until the moment they suddenly need to produce a birth certificate for an important occasion. It is possible to obtain a birth certificate replacement online, or you might get an application or duplicate birth certificate directly from a state agency.

Except in cases of births to U.S. citizens overseas, each individual state is responsible to track vital records of births, deaths, marriages, and other legal life changes. If you are wondering how to get a birth certificate in California or another state, these guidelines will help.

How to Obtain a Birth Certificate

Depending on the scenario, there are a number of ways to apply for and obtain a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate. Ideally, the birth should be registered as soon as possible. The specific process will depend on where you are when your baby is born.

At the Hospital 

If your baby is born in a hospital within the United States, the staff will help you complete the birth certificate application. You might apply for the birth certificate through an MD, nurse practitioner, or midwife. Medical professionals are required to register a birth within 5-10 days and submit the paperwork to their local department of vital records.

At Home 

If your child is born at home or outside of a hospital, you may not receive the application form from someone else, but you can obtain one from your local vital records office. If you are not sure of the location, the Center for Disease Control provides this information. Your baby’s birth certificate application is about two pages long, with approximately 58 questions to be answered.1

Out of the Country 

If your child was born overseas, you may wonder how to get your baby’s birth certificate. For children of U.S. citizens born outside the country, the birth will be recorded by the U.S. Department of State using a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. The CRBA is equivalent in every way to a U.S. birth certificate.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Birth Certificate?

The state vital records office will take about 30 days to complete its work, registering the birth and making it public record. At that time, a certified copy of the birth certificate can be requested for a fee.

How Much Is a Birth Certificate?

States charge a small fee for a physical copy of a birth certificate. While the charge is subject to change, costs range from $15 to $50. You can pay the fee directly to the state vital records office or to an online agency for faster service.

What Do You Need to Get Your Birth Certificate?

To request an official copy of the registered birth certificate, you will need to know:2

• The full name of the child and his or her gender
• The names of the parents, including the mother’s maiden name
• The month, day, and year of the birth and where it took place

Easy Is Better for Busy Parents

The easiest and most convenient way to complete this process may be to request your birth certificate replacement online through an expediting service rather than a state agency. Whether you need a newborn birth certificate or a certified replacement copy, FastBirthCertificates.com checks your paperwork for errors and expedites the request through the appropriate government agency. Complete the simple online form and get your baby’s ducks in a row today!

PLEASE NOTE: At this time, FastBirthCertificates.com does not alter or amend any birth certificates. This blog is for informational purposes only. 

Sources:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm
2. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/guidelines.htm