Get your certified Arizona Birth Certificate

How to Get an Arizona Birth Certificate Without ID

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Arizona?

The current processing and delivery time defined by the ADHS-BVR is 5 to 7 business days; however, the total time it takes to process and receive the birth certificate depends on how you apply, whether you need to notarize your application, and the volume of orders being processed by the ADHS-BVR.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

A notarization is not required when requesting certified copies of an Arizona birth certificate unless the applicant cannot provide an accepted valid (government-issued) primary ID. This policy applies to all third-party applicants: a notarization is only necessary without a valid primary ID.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain an Arizona Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered born in Arizona; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record in Arizona. If you were born overseas on a US military base and your parents were US citizens, your birth should be recorded with the US Department of State. You must contact the US Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA of form FS-240). Arizona does not issue birth certificates for individuals born on a military base overseas.

  Note that this is not a birth certificate; it is evidence of US citizenship for individuals born abroad to US citizen parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to having a US birth certificate. This document is recognized in the US as proof of birth and citizenship and can be used to obtain a passport and apply for social services. If you need additional copies of this document, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate or order them from the Department of State. Learn more about CRBA for more information.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Arizona Birth Certificate?

  

  A birth certificate is a vital document that provides accurate details about a person's birth. It is an official record that confirms an individual's legal name, date, and place of birth, as well as the names of their parents. This document is recognized and accepted by governmental and non-governmental entities as evidence of identity and citizenship. It is vital for significant milestones in life, such as legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does an Arizona Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  An officially certified birth certificate will display distinct features to indicate the ADHS-BVR issues it. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth.

  The state of Arizona does not differentiate between Long-Form and Short-Form birth certificates when issuing official documents.

  The ADHS-BVR exclusively issues certified copies for legal and identification purposes, while non-certified copies (generally issued by county offices) are for genealogical or personal use only. A separate document called a Certificate of Live Birth is an unofficial hospital record used to create the official birth certificate and is not valid for legal purposes.

  The ADHS-BVR stipulates guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  
  

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Arizona Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the ADHS-BVR.

  a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the county health department that issued the original birth certificate during hours of availability. The ADHS-BVR does not accept in-person applications.
  

  b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the ADHS-BVR at:

  Arizona Department of Health Services,
  Bureau of Vital Records

  PO Box 6018,
  Phoenix, AZ 85005
  

  c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

  2. ADHS-BVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend an Arizona Birth Certificate

  

  The ADHS-BVS provides information on its website regarding how to amend birth records in various common scenarios. Any supplemental changes or corrections of a birth record are made addendums to the original record, as the original document cannot be altered.

  The process and requirements for correcting a birth certificate can vary depending on the year the certificate was initially filed, how/where you submit the request, and what information needs to be changed.

  Before initiating the correction or amendment process for official documents, ensure you are eligible to request the correction and identify the type of amendment needed, as each type may require distinct documentation and processes.
  
  Determine Eligibility: Only individuals who may request amendments are the person on record, who must be at least 18 years old for self-corrections; parents or legal guardians, who are authorized to act on behalf of minors or incapacitated adults; and legal representatives, who must possess appropriate court authorization.
  
  Identify Correction Type: When addressing minor errors, such as typographical mistakes or incorrect dates that occurred within one year of birth, submitting a notarized affidavit using ADHS-BVS Form 1023 with supporting evidentiary documents is essential. These documents may include hospital records or baptismal certificates to support your request for correction.

  Major Changes regarding parentage, legal name changes, and gender marker updates require a certified court order, such as an adoption decree or name change order. For updates related to parentage, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity or a court order must be submitted. In cases involving changes to gender markers, it is necessary to provide a physician's statement that confirms the gender transition.
  
  Typically, requests to correct or amend a birth certificate will require the following:
  
  1. Complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate (Form VS-11).

  2. Gather Supporting Evidence:
  
  2.1. For corrections to amend a birth record that occurred less than 90 days ago, the parent or guardian must submit a completed affidavit.
  
  2.2. For late corrections made 90 days or more after birth, include evidentiary documentation that validates the correction. Acceptable documents include: hospital medical records, medical records or healthcare provider records, certified blessing or baptismal certificates, immunization records, or other independent source documents. For parental information corrections, submit documents such as parents’ certified birth certificates, US or Mexican passports, or other supporting independent documentation.

  3. Provide a valid government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport) or a notarized application if mailing the request.
  
  3.1. A copy of the front and back of the applicant’s valid government-issued picture identification that displays the applicant’s signature or letter must be provided, OR the application must be signed in the presence of a notary.

  3.2. If the requestor is the legal guardian or has custody of the person on record, a court order must be submitted.

  4. Complete the Notarized Affidavit (ADHS-BVS Form VS-41), attesting to the accuracy and authenticity of the requested correction, accompanied by the requestor’s signature.
  
  4.1. The affidavit must be signed in the presence of a notary.

  4.2. Include payment for the fees to request the certified birth certificate replacement ($20.00 per copy) and correction or amendment ($30.00) as a check or money order issued to the Arizona Department of Health Services or ADHS. 

  4.3. Major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card) are accepted as payment by completing the information and providing a signature in the Credit Card Info section of Form VS-11. 

  4.4. Cash payments are only accepted for in-person requests at the ADHS-BVR and select local county offices.

  5. Submit the notarized application and supporting evidentiary documents to the following ADHS-BVR mailing addresses

  
  Standard Mail-in Submissions:
  Arizona Department of Health Services,
  Vital Records Office
  PO Box 6018,
  Phoenix, AZ 85005

  In-Person Submissions:
  Arizona Department of Health Services,
  Bureau Vital Records
  150 North 18th Ave., Ste. 120,
  Phoenix, AZ 85007

  (Appointment required)

  
  

  
  

• How to Obtain an Apostille for an Arizona Birth Certificate

  

  You can request Arizona birth certificate apostilles through the Secretary of State office or online via VRO's Apostille Express Service. You must obtain an apostille if you submit your birth certificate to a foreign government. Apostilles are only issued by the Secretary of State for records initially filed with ADHS-BVR.

  
  If you are manually submitting your certificate, you will need to provide the following information:

  1) Include a certified copy of your Arizona birth certificate.

  2) Complete the Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form provided by the Secretary of State.

  3) Include payment as a check or money order of $3.00 (per document) issued to the Secretary of State. Cash or Credit Card payments are only accepted for in-person services.

  Expedited orders are available for an additional $25.00 fee.
  
  4) Include a self-addressed, prepaid envelope (mandatory).

  5) Submit the application, certified copy of your birth certificate, and payment to the Arizona Secretary of State at the following addresses:

  Standard Mail/Express Courier Submissions:
  
  Secretary of State Adrian Fontes,
  Attn: Notary Division
  1700 W. Washington Street, FL. 7,
  Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808

  In-Person Submissions:
  
  Arizona State Complex Building
  1st floor, Suite 141, 400 W. Congress,
  Tucson, AZ 85701

  State Capitol Executive Tower,
  2nd floor, Suite 220,
  1700 W. Washington St.,
  Phoenix, AZ 85007