Birth Certificate Replacement
If your birth certificate was lost, destroyed, stolen or damaged, then you must request a certified copy
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Requesting a birth certificate replacement online is quick and easy. Your birth certificate is an extremely important official government-issued document that proves your identity and citizenship. If it gets lost or stolen, it is crucial that you replace it as soon as possible.
There are several ways to replace your Birth Certificate. The online application is the quickest and most hassle-free option since you will not have to leave the house. Alternatively, you can apply in-person at the vital records or local county office.
To replace your birth certificate, you will be asked to prove your identity and fill out an application form. The online form takes minutes to complete.
Why Replace a US Birth Certificate?
A certified copy of your Birth Certificate is required to obtain most types of IDs as well as social benefits and even school enrollment. If you do not have one on file, you may need to order a birth certificate replacement online.
Some circumstances where you may be required to present a birth certificate include:
- Applying for, or renewing, a passport, state photo ID, driver's license or other government-issued identification documents
- Applying for social benefits including a Social Security Card
- Facilitate the application process of memberships and credit cards
- For genealogy purposes
- Obtaining a marriage license
- Signing up for sports
- Registering for employment-related securities
- Registering for school —this is a requirement for most schools since a birth certificate serves as proof of identity and age
- Use abroad: In this case, you will have to obtain an Apostille on the certified copy of a birth certificate
These are just a few reasons you or a family member may require a Certified Copy of your Birth Certificate.
If you lost your birth certificate, or it was stolen, damaged or destroyed in a fire or natural disaster, like a hurricane, then you must request a birth certificate replacement.
How to Get a Replacement Copy of a Birth Certificate
To obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate or a birth certificate replacement, you are required to complete a form provided by the state where the birth took place.
After you have completed the birth certificate replacement application form in all of its parts, you will be asked to submit supporting documents. These are usually IDs to prove your identity. If you are applying for the replacement of someone else’s birth certificate, you may be required to prove your relationship to them.
Finally, you will have to pay the birth certificate replacement fees. These may vary depending on the state issuing your birth certificate.
You will then just need to wait for the county or vital records office to process your application and issue your birth certificate replacement.
You may apply in-person or online. Please keep in mind that if you decide to visit a physical office, you may be required to make an appointment or wait in line at the office.
Order your birth certificate online in 3 steps
With US Birth Certificates, you can order your replacement online without having to make an appointment with the vital records department. Simply follow these 3 steps for online birth certificate orders
Requirements for Birth Certificate Replacements
All requests to renew or replace a copy of a birth certificate must be submitted by filling out an application form which must be signed by the applicant.
The form requires the following information to be filled out as accurately as possible:
- Gender
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Location of birth
- Parental information
- Relationship to the certificate bearer (the person whose name appears on the certified copy of birth certificate you are requesting)
- Shipping address (where you would like the birth certificate delivered, once it has been issued by the vital records office)
- Payment information (credit or debit card details to cover the fees)
What documents do I need to replace my birth certificate?
Government-issued photo identification documents that are acceptable to prove the applicant’s identity include:
- Social Security card
- Driver’s license
- Passport
Our quick guide on documents needed for a US birth certificate can provide you with more detailed information.
Please note that certain states may alternatively accept other forms of government-issued photo IDs as proof of identity.
In some states, birth records are closed; therefore, records are only available to direct family members like parents, siblings, grandparents, children, and spouses. Some states also require that a sworn statement verifying the identity of the applicant be provided along with the application. In such cases, you will need to sign your petition in front of a notary public.
Requirements for birth certificates of citizens born abroad
Every US citizen born abroad to at least one American parent, or on a US military base, must have their birth registered with the local consulate or US Embassy to have a birth certificate.
If you were born abroad, and your birth was recorded, you will be issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), which will also allow you to:
- Apply for a passport
- Claim citizenship
- Use it as a form of ID
You can request a replacement CRBA form (FS-240) at any time through the US Department of State. The Department of state maintains records of all registered births abroad, which facilitates the replacement of your birth certificate via mail.
To request a copy of your US birth certificate if you were born abroad, you will need:
- Valid photo ID
- Date and place of birth
- Address and contact phone number
- Full names of parents or legal guardians
- Certificate bearer’s full name at the time of their birth
- Serial number of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad, where available
- Passport information, if available (date of issue, date of expiration, and passport number)
- In case of adoption or guardianship: adoptive names, copy of the court order granting guardianship
If you were born abroad and adopted by a US citizen, and the adoption process is finalized, then you can request a US birth certificate replacement directly.
Obtain Your Birth Certificate Replacement
Thanks to our simple application process renewing or replacing a lost birth certificate has never been easier.
Simply fill out the online form and let our expert go through it to ensure that it is error-free. We will make sure that you complete the form specific to your birth state before you start.
Once your application form is revised for potential mistakes, you will then receive a set of personalized instructions so you can submit your application in the correct way and get your birth certificate delivered to your home.
This process will not only save you time, but it will also eliminate all the hassle and headache that comes with having to go to local state offices to get your birth certificate.
We offer expert assistance every step of the way and our turnaround-time is unbeatable. Our online platform allows you to obtain your government-issued certified birth certificate renewal or replacement all in one place.
FAQs About Birth Certificate Replacement
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What can I do if my birth certificate goes lost?
If you lost your birth certificate, and need a replacement follow these instructions:
- Report the theft of your birth certificate to prevent identity theft or fraud: This should be done at a police station, the State Vital Records Office and on the Identity Theft Government website
- Protect yourself against credit card fraud: This can be done by monitoring your credit reports and contacting credit bureaus, placing a fraud alert of credit freeze on your accounts
Order a certified copy of your birth certificate: This can be done online by filling out a form, printing, signing and posting it to the vital records office with appropriate photo ID and payment. Fully online applications where no shipping is required are available in some states.
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How do I get a copy of my birth certificate?
The most convenient way to get an official copy of your US birth certificate is to order it online and have the document delivered to your home.
Ordering a certified copy of a birth certificate online will save you the time and hassle of waiting in line at the vital records office.
As explained above in detail, you would need to follow these simple steps to get a copy of your birth certificate issued and delivered to your door:
- Fill out a simple application form with your personal information
- Print out the completed form (only if this is required in your state) after our experts have verified it to ensure it is mistake-free, and sign it
- Pack the application form with the necessary documents, as explained in the personalized instructions and mail it to your vital records office, or simply send the application electronically if your state allows it
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How much is a copy of a birth certificate?
Obtaining a certified copy of your US birth certificate requires the payment of the state fees.
The official cost to process a legally-valid birth certificate replacement varies from one state to another.
It is good practice to order more than one copy of the same birth certificate at once, to keep on file, especially since many states offer a reduced price for multiple copies ordered within a single application form.
The fees must be submitted at the same time as the birth certificate application.
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How long does it take to get a birth certificate copy?
If you are wondering how long it takes to have a birth certificate issued in the US, the answer is that it depends.
Processing times for a birth certificate application vary from one state to another.
Certain states offer rush service for online birth certificate replacement applications that are mailed in to the vital records office.
Other states offer walk-in services, however, this option often entails waiting in line for long hours at the vital records office to obtain a copy of a US birth certificate, as well as getting there before a specific hour.
To avoid delays and have a birth certificate replacement issued on the first try:
- Have the form revised by experts before submitting it
- Follow our personalized instructions
Whether you are walking into the vital records office, or mailing your application, the surefire way to get a certified copy of a birth certificate issued directly is to have it revised by our team of experts before you submit it. That way, you can be certain it is mistake-free and that your request won't be rejected.
*These states and participating in the interstate system for sharing ID databases.
The following US territoriesstates have been granted an extension:
- Alaska*
- American Samoa