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 LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECIEVE YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE IF YOU SEND IT BY MAIL?
    • Can you please outline the steps necessary to acquire a birth certificate when one was never filed in 1980 when I was born? Thank you!
    • Can two women sign the birth certificate in the state of Arizona if yes do they have to be married?
    • The father listed on my daughter's birth certificate is not her biological father and I have a paternity test that is court approved showing he is not the father. How do I remove him from the birth certificate?
    • I have my 17 yr old disabled son his mother gave him to me so now he lives with me I'm not on the birth certificate Ineed to know how do iI get on his birth certificate I've already done paternity test for D.E.S and I pay child support.
    • My daughter was born in a different state than which we live in. I am in the process of leaving the father because he verbally abuses me on a daily basis. We know that he is not her biological father, can I have his name removed from the birth certificate in the state we live in? Can I change my daughters last name from his last name to mine?
    • 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.
    • i reside in las vegas nevada and my ex girlfriend went and had my son without telling me where she was and i never got to sign the birth certificate or anything! how do i go about getting rights to my son?
    • I was born in Sierra Vista, AZ and I now live in NY. I am transgender and need to change the name and gender marker on my birth certificate. How would I go about doing this?
    • I am applying to live in an apartment, and the application asks for my birth certificate. My peers think that is unheard of and that I need to double check why they are asking for that personal documentation. Does it have anything to do with the laws regarding illegal immigration? Or does it have to do with checking to see if I am a legal citizen, but why can't they just use my drivers license and/or social security number?

    STORIES

    LegalLEARN

    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

    Pima County Courts Self Service Center

    Arizona 2-1-1