You can find some US birth records for free, but access depends on the age of the record and the state where the birth was registered.
Recent birth certificates are generally restricted, but older records may be available through state archives, genealogy databases, or local record offices. To start your search, you’ll usually need the person’s full name, approximate date of birth, and place of birth.
Are US Birth Records Public?
Not all US birth records are public. In almost all states, recent birth records are restricted for a set period of time to protect privacy and prevent identity theft.
If the record you’re looking for isn’t public, you’ll need to be eligible to request a certified copy, according to the state’s rules. Usually, this only covers the certificate holder, their immediate family, and legal representatives.
Older records often become public after the state’s restriction period has passed. In many states, this happens around 75 to 100 years after birth, but the exact rule varies. Once released, they usually become available through local archives and genealogy databases.
The federal government doesn’t keep a central database of birth certificates. Vital records are maintained by state, county, city, or local offices, so you need to search through the office or archive connected to the place where the birth occurred.
Certified copies vs. informational copies
Certified and informational copies are not treated the same way when it comes to public records.
A certified copy is the official version that can be used for legal purposes, like applying for a passport, driver’s license, school enrollment, or other government processes. Because certified copies can be used to prove identity, they are usually limited to eligible requesters.
An informational copy contains similar birth details, but it’s marked as not valid to establish identity and cannot be used for official purposes.
Some states, such as California, allow requests for informational copies if you’re not eligible for an authorized certified version, with no time restriction.
However, other states are more restrictive, including New York. Non-certified, public copies of birth certificates can be issued in New York State only after 75 years if the person is known to be deceased. In New York City, birth records generally become public after 125 years.
Public vs. Closed Birth Records
To find out whether the birth record you want to access is public or closed, you need to know the state where the birth was registered.
States restrict birth records for a set number of years, based on their own guidelines. Death records, marriage documentation, and divorce certificates usually follow different timelines.
After the restriction period passes, some birth and death records become public. Public records can often be accessed by anyone through archives, genealogy databases, or the office that maintains the record.
Protected or closed birth certificates are only available to eligible applicants. In states where birth records are closed, the certificate holder and qualified family members can usually apply online for a certified copy of the document.
This applies in many states, including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Texas — you need to provide valid government-issued identification and proof that you’re eligible to request the record.
Need support on how to order a birth certificate copy? The exact requirements vary by state, and the process can be confusing. US Birth Certificates makes it simple to order the record you need from home and explains the process step-by-step.
Can I View My Birth Certificate Online for Free?
In most cases, no. You usually can’t view a recent certified birth certificate online for free. This is to help protect your vital records and key personal data from identity fraud.
Certified birth certificates are restricted vital records. If you need your own official birth certificate, you need to request a certified copy from the state or local vital records office and pay the required fee. This can usually be done online, by mail, or in person.
If you were born outside the United States but are a US citizen, the process is slightly different.
Older birth records or birth indexes may be searchable online for free through genealogy websites, state archives, historical societies, or FamilySearch. These records are useful for family history research, but they’re not the same as a certified birth certificate for legal use.
If you need a birth certificate for a passport, driver’s license, school enrollment, REAL ID, or another official process, you need a certified copy.
How to Find Someone’s Date of Birth Online for Free
You may be able to find someone’s date of birth online for free if the record is old enough to be public or if the person’s birth date appears in other public sources. You might find the information for free in:
- State archives: Some states publish older birth indexes, death indexes, or historical vital records online.
- County or city archives: Older records may be held at the local level, especially before statewide vital registration began.
- Obituaries: These may include a person’s date of birth, place of birth, relatives, and death date.
- Cemetery records: Gravestone records and burial databases may include birth dates.
- Census records: Census records can give approximate birth years, and some later records include more detailed age information.
- Social media or public profiles: Some people list their birthday publicly, though this is not an official source.
If you need an official copy of a birth certificate, the only way to get a certified version is to apply to the appropriate state office. You can start the process on our site for all 50 US states.
Where To Find Public Birth Records
The vast majority of public records, including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage certificates, are maintained at the local level. That is, in the city, county, and state where the event took place.
These types of vital records are usually created by local authorities. They’re not typically kept as federal records or held by the National Archives.
There are several resources available online that can help you find birth and other types of public records, including:
- State Department of Public Health or vital records office where the event was recorded
- CDC “Where to Write for Vital Records” directory
- Genealogy websites
- County clerk, city clerk, or local registrar offices
- Historical societies and state archives
Some private companies offer search functions that trawl public records from a variety of sources for a fee. However, if the records are public, you may be able to view an older birth record or birth index yourself for free.
How to Find Hospital Birth Records
Hospital birth records are not the same as official birth certificates.
Health centers and hospital facilities usually create a medical record when a baby is born, including delivery details, the attending physician, and the hospital name.
The official birth certificate is a different document, which is registered with the state or local vital records office. This is a legal vital record that meets state requirements and is used for identity and citizenship purposes.
Looking up where you were born
Hospital patient records are usually private and protected. They are generally not searchable by the public in the same way as historical birth indexes.
If you want to find out which hospital you were born in, try these steps:
- Check your long-form birth certificate
This is the vital record that contains the most details about your birth. It may list the hospital, facility, or place of birth. If you only have a short-form or informational certificate, you can request a long-form certified copy online or in person.
- Contact the hospital system if you know the likely city or county of birth
If you know the area where you were born, contact hospitals or health systems that were operating there at the time. Older records may have been archived or transferred, but they may be able to direct you to the right records office to continue your search.
For older records, check state archives, county archives, historical societies, or genealogy databases.
How Long Are Birth Records Kept?
Vital records offices keep birth records permanently or for very long periods, depending on the state and record system. In most cases, printed copies can be issued a few weeks after the event is recorded if you’re eligible and provide the right documentation.
Older records are generally available with fewer restrictions. They’re usually kept in state archives, local archives, or historical societies and can often be accessed for free.
Records from earlier centuries may be available through town records, church records, courthouse records, or local historical collections.
When Did Each State Start Recording Birth Records?
Most US states began statewide birth and death registration in the early 1900s, although some states, cities, towns, and counties have older local records.
The table below shows when statewide birth, death, marriage, and divorce records generally became available. For records before these dates, check with the town, county, church, archive, or historical society where the event occurred.
| Vital records availability by State | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | Birth Records | Death Records | Marriage Records | Divorce Records |
| Alabama | January 1908 | January 1908 | August 1936 | January 1950 |
| Alaska | Since 1890s. However, many events before 1930 were never registered with the Bureau | Since 1890s. However, many events before 1930 were never registered with the Bureau | Since 1890s. However, many events before 1930 were never registered with the Bureau | 1950 |
| Arizona | July 1909 | July 1909 | ||
| Arkansas | Since February 1914, and some original Little Rock and Fort Smith records from 1881 | Since February 1914, and some original Little Rock and Fort Smith records from 1881 | Since 1917 | Since 1923 |
| California | July 1905 | July 1905 | State office only has indexes for public marriage certificates that occurred from 1905-2001 and 2010 to present | Vital Records only has information for divorces that were filed with the court between 1962 and June, 1984 |
| Colorado | Since 1910 | Since 1900 | ||
| Connecticut | Since July 1, 1897 | Since July 1, 1897 | Since July 1, 1897 | Since July 1, 1897 |
| Delaware | Since 1942 | Since 1974 | Since 1974 | Since 1935 |
| District of Columbia | Since 1874 | Since 1855 | Since 1810 | Since 1810 |
| Florida | Limited birth records dating back to 1850. The majority of records date from 1917 | Limited birth records dating back to 1850. The majority of records date from 1917 | Since June 6, 1927 | Since June 6, 1927 |
| Georgia | Since January 1919 | Since January 1919 | Since June 9, 1952 | |
| Hawaii | Since 1909 | Since 1896 | Since 1909 | From July 1951 to December 2002 |
| Idaho | Since July 1911 | Since July 1911 | Since May 1947 | Since May 1947 |
| Illinois | Since January 1916 | Since January 1916 | Since january 1962 | Since January 1962 |
| Indiana | Since October 1907 | Since January 1900 | Since 1958 | |
| Iowa | Since July 1880 | Since July 1880 | Since July 1880 | |
| Kansas | Since July 1911 | Since July 1911 | Since May 1913 | Since July 1951 |
| Kentucky | Since January 1911 | Since January 1911 | Since June 1958 | Since June 1958 |
| Louisiana | Since 1918 | Since 1918 | Since 1978 | Since 1978 |
| Maine | Since 1923 | Since 1923 | Since 1923 | Since 1923 |
| Maryland | Since January 1875 | Since 1969 | Since January 1990 | since January, 1992 |
| Massachusetts | Since 1926 | Since 1926 | Since 1926 | Since 1952 |
| Michigan | Since 1867 | Since 1867 | Since 1867 | Since 1897 |
| Minnesota | Since January 1900 | Since January 1908 | ||
| Mississippi | Since 1912 | Since 1912 | Statistical records only from January 1926 to July 1, 1938, and since January 1942 | Since January 1926 |
| Missouri | Since January 1910 | Since January 1910 | Since July 1948 | Since July 1948 |
| Montana | Since 1907 | Since 1907 | Since July 1943 | Since July 1943 |
| Nebraska | Since 1904 | Since 1904 | Since January 1909 | Since January 1909 |
| Nevada | Since July 1911 | Since July 1911 | Since January 1968 | Since January 1968 |
| New Hampshire | Since 1631 | Since 1654 | Since 1652 | |
| New Jersey | Since 1918 | Since 1918 | Since 1918 | |
| New Mexico | Since 1920 and delayed records since 1880 | Since 1920 and delayed records since 1880 | ||
| New York State | Since 1880 | Since 1881 | Since 1881 | Since January 1963 |
| New York City | Since 1910 | Since 1949 | Since 1950 | |
| North Carolina | Since October 1913 | Since 1930 | Since 1962 | Since 1958 |
| North Dakota | Since 1870 | Since July 1893 | ||
| Ohio | Since December 20, 1908 | Since January 1, 1964 | ||
| Oklahoma | Since October 1908 | Since October 1908 | ||
| Oregon | Since 1903 | Since 1903 | Since 1911 | Since 1925 |
| Pennsylvania | Since January, 1906 | Since January, 1906 | ||
| Rhode Island | Since 1918 | Since 1918 | ||
| South Carolina | Since January 1915 | Since January 1915 | Since July 1950 | Since July 1962 |
| South Dakota | Since July 1905 | Since July 1905 | Since July 1905 | Since July 1905 |
| Tennessee | Since January 1914 | Vital Records Office keeps death records for 50 years | Vital Records Office keeps marriage records for 50 years | Vital Records Office keeps divorce records for 50 years |
| Texas | Since 1903 | Since 1903 | Since January 1966 | Since January 1968 |
| Utah | Since 1905 | Since 1905 | Since 1978 | Since 1978 |
| Vermont | State office has records for the most recent 5 year | State office has records for the most recent 5 year | State office has records for the most recent 5 year | State office has records for the most recent 5 year |
| Virginia | State office has records from January 1853 to December 1896 and since June 14, 1912 | State office has records from January 1853 to December 1896 and since June 14, 1912 | Since January 1853 | Since January 1918 |
| Washington | Since July 1, 1907 | Since July 1, 1907 | Since January 1968 | Since January 1968 |
| West Virginia | Since 1917 | Since 1917 | Since 1921 | Since 1968 |
| Wisconsin | Since October 1907 | since October 1907 | Since October 1907 | Since October 1907 |
| Wyoming | since July 1909 | Vital Records Office keeps death records for 50 years | Vital Records Office keeps death records for 50 years | Vital Records Office keeps death records for 50 years |
While many older vital records are public, certified birth certificates for official use must be ordered from the state or local vital records office.
If you need a replacement or extra copies of your birth certificate for a passport, REAL ID, school enrollment, driver’s license, or another official purpose, you can order them online in just a few minutes.
