Arizona Resources 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 6/20/08
    Amber said
    Ordering online for a birth certificate is not a good idea. The price is really high for a 3-5 day turn-around. It is less expensive to go down and apply in person and get the certificate the same day. What a rip off!

    QUESTIONS

    • I am researching a background for a potential employee. According to the report I received. This person has a conviction in AZ. The case # begins with the letter "R" and after 4 numbers, it has "PR". Without going through unecessary hoops, I am trying to find out what type of conviction that is.
    • WE have paid a photographer $600 for items he has never provided and he now refuses to speak to us. We are based in the UK but I have family in Arizona who will attend on my behalf and we feel that a simple claim might just be ignored. Question is : How can we best ensure that we will have maximum clout when approaching the reclaimation of our monies? If your answer is to employ a lawyer, may we have a list local to Tucson, thank you
    • Does Arizona law allow any state authority to "commandeer" property of individuals or businesses in any "on the spot" manner, or do authorities have to obtain some type of court order?
    • when a commisioner signes a court order with /s/ instead of a real signature, is this still a legal signature. I was reading that if a judge wasn't to sign a court order that it mean other things - this is why I ask.
    • My son died in Mohave county, I want to get an autopsy report, where do I get it? what do I need to obtain it? what is the cost? can this be done by mail or internet? thanks
    • Is it legal to move back in after your boyfriend drives restraining order
    • My brother was convicted in Maricopa County of a Felony charge. He has filed a Notice of Post Conviction Relief. He had public defense at the time. Is there anyone that can help us find out what the status is on his NPC filing?
    • Where can I find a specific Arizona Court online?
    • I've been handling my divorce on my own. So far I've found all the forms online. Now I've run into a wall, I can't find where to download the forms, that will get me subpoenas, or tell me how/where to get em. If anyone can help with this, I'd be very grateful.
    • My wife is permanatly disabled under social security disablity. Part of her disablitiy is problems with comprehension. Between her learning disablity and hearing impairment, she has a really hard time comunicating with doctors and insurance companies. She just can't comprehend these things. She wants me to be her Medical Power of Attorney so that she doesn't have to deal with insurance companies customer service. The only information I can find is related to seniors. Can you help us? Where to go.. who to see?

    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

    .pdf  AZ Crisis Contact Numbers ReadSpeaker

    .pdf  AHCCCS U.S. Citizenship Fact Sheet ReadSpeaker

    .pdf  Datos Para Las Familias de AHCCCS ReadSpeaker

    .pdf  Order of Protection Flowchart ReadSpeaker

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    LINKS

    Arizona Housing Information

    Arizona Department of Economic Security

    DES Division of Child Support Enforcement

    Birth Certificates - Arizona Office of Vital Records

    Arizona Office of the Attorney General

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