Get your certified Oregon Birth Certificate

How to Get an Oregon Birth Certificate Without ID

If you don't have a valid primary form of identification, you can use three additional documents that include both your name and current address, like a utility bill, paycheck stub, or vehicle registration, instead. Alternatively, authorized third parties can submit a request on your behalf, but they must provide proof of their relationship with you and proof of identity with the application.

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

Standard processing takes approximately 5 weeks. The total time to receive a replacement birth certificate in Oregon varies depending on the method of application and the current processing times set by the CHS. Rush processing is available through in-person request (same day) and through CHS’s website (3 business days). Processing times are based on the number of orders the CHS receives. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

You do not need to have your application notarized when ordering a birth certificate from the CHS if you are requesting your certificate or are an eligible third-party applicant. If your relationship with the record holder does not qualify you as an eligible applicant, you must submit a Notarized Permission to Order or Pick up a Certificate.

Other FAQs

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

  

  If you were born on a U.S. military base overseas, your birth certificate would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State instead of the state of Oregon. You must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, form FS-240) from the U.S. Department of State. The CRBA is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate and is evidence of U.S. citizenship. The CRBA can be used for legal purposes such as applying for a passport and accessing social services.

  To obtain an original copy of your birth record, you must contact the hospital in the country where your birth occurred.

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

  

  It is important to have certified copies of your Oregon birth certificate for various legal and official purposes. These copies provide proof of your legal name, place, date of birth, and parents' names. They are crucial for establishing identity and citizenship and are widely accepted by government and commercial entities. Additionally, they are necessary for legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, travel, and more.
  
  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 Oregon Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  Official birth certificates issued by the OHA-CHS contain specific features to ensure authenticity. Although their appearance can vary depending on the year of issue, official birth certificates consistently include essential details that verify an individual's identity and citizenship. State guidelines mandate basic features such as the state seal, the individual's name, the registrar's signature, and the use of secure paper to prevent unauthorized duplication.

  Note that official (long-form) birth certificates are intended for legal purposes and differ from informational (short-form) certificates, typically used for personal or commemorative reasons.

  • 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 Oregon Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the Center for Health Statistics.
     a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and the required documents to a county health department. The Oregon CHS only accepts walk-ins Monday through Friday, between 9 AM and 3 PM.
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the CHS at:
     Oregon Health Authority
     Center for Health Statistics
     PO Box 14050 Portland, OR 97293-0050
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The CHS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend an Oregon Birth Certificate

  

  The process for amending an Oregon birth certificate depends on the type of change needed and how recently it was filed. An addendum (supplement) is created to correct or alter the information on the birth certificate while keeping the original record unchanged. Note in-person assistance to change a record is not available.

  Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:

  1. Birth Certificate Form: Include the full name of the registrant along with any amended names, and a signature of the applicant is required. Use the birth record order form to order short-form certificates for births after 2008 or for long-form certificates between 1903 and 2008.
  2. Notarized Affidavit: A notarized Birth Correction Affidavit is typically required.
  3. Amendment Fee: A $35.00 amendment fee may be applicable. Proof of payment or an order number showing that certificate fees have already been paid and the order is pending.
  4. Supporting Documents: Original documents supporting the change may be required. A photocopy of the applicant’s ID is required.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for an Oregon Birth Certificate

  

  If you need an apostille for an Oregon birth certificate, you can submit a request directly to the Oregon Secretary of State or use VRO's Express Apostille Service for the convenience of ordering online. An apostille, exclusively obtainable through the Oregon Secretary of State, is typically required when presenting a birth certificate to a foreign government affiliated with the 1961 Hague Convention.

  If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille, you must complete the following steps:

  1. Obtain a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate: Request a certified copy from the Oregon Health Authority - Center for Health Statistics (CHS).
  2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Fill out the Apostille request form available on the Oregon Secretary of State's website.
  3. Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather the documents, including a certified copy of your birth certificate and a self-addressed stamped or pre-paid return envelope if you prefer an overnight/express courier.
  4. Obtain a Check or Money Order: Include a check or money order of $10.00 per document, payable to the Corporation Division, or complete the credit card authorization section to pay by credit card.
  5. Submit the Request: Send the completed Apostille request form, supporting documents, and the required fee to the Oregon Secretary of State at the following address:

  Mailing Address: