Arizona Vital Records

History of Vital Records in Arizona

In Arizona, the statewide registration of vital records began in July 1909 and was generally accepted by 1926. Since then, county clerks have sent copies of these records to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), making them available in the county and State Department of Health offices. Arizona is a “closed record” state, meaning vital records are not public records. Only residents 18 years or older may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. Confidential records are also restricted and can only be accessed by authorized individuals such as family or legal representatives. Accessing these records requires authorization from the ADHS.

According to the US Census, in 1960, the resident population of Arizona was about 1.3 million people. As of 2021, the population of Arizona is 7.276 million people, a decrease from the previous year of 7.421 million.

Where to Get Arizona Vital Records

Each county certifies and issues vital records that take place within its jurisdiction. You can search where to request a replacement from the complete list of AZ County vital record issuing agencies. The list contains locations, contact information, and access to online applications for requesting birth, death, and marriage certificates.

In Arizona, you can request your birth or death certificate through the state (online or by mail) or through your county (the procedure varies by county, but many offer in-person applications). The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains marriage certificates in the county where the event occurred. The state does not issue them. To request a copy of your marriage or divorce certificate, you must apply with your county’s vital records-issuing agency. Refer to the list below for locations, contact details, and links to online applications for requesting Arizona birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates.

Ordering Arizona Vital Records Online

Ordering Arizona vital records online with VRO is quick and easy and involves two simple steps:

1. Completing the online application by uploading your documents
2. Processing your order

If you qualify as an authorized individual, you can apply for an Arizona birth, death, or marriage certificate online. Before submitting your application, ensure that you have the necessary documents prepared. You will need to upload digital copies during the secure application process.

VRO simplifies and guides you through requesting records, from collecting and generating the required documents to applying. You can complete the application from any internet-enabled device in as little as five minutes. The process also minimizes the risk of application rejection by ensuring your application is error-free.

✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased during the online application to save future processing costs.

✔︎ Learn more about how the online ordering and premium handling process works.

Ordering Arizona Vital Records In Person or By Mail

The Arizona Department of Health Services no longer allows in-person applications, so if you wish to apply in person, you will have to check with your county’s local vital records office. Applying in person may be available depending on where you live, but be mindful that you may face long waiting times. Applying online or by mail is often the most convenient option.

The procedures for requesting records in person and by mail are similar. The requirements for applying in person may vary by county, but the process will generally involve the following steps:

• Gathering your documents
• Getting photocopies of your documents
• Completing the correct form
• Presenting everything to the health department during their regular business hours

Additionally, to apply by mail, you will need the following:

• Purchasing an envelope
• Including a physical check or a money order
• Obtaining a notarized statement (if required)
• Issuing it to the ADHS-BVR.

❗️ Ensure that your documents, application, and payment are submitted to the correct health department that issues certified copies of the preserved original record.

❗️ If you mail your application and documents manually, it is recommended to purchase mail tracking to confirm their arrival at the correct office.

Requirements

Before gathering the documents you need for your vital records application, you should ensure that you understand the terms and requirements of the request.

Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization

The table below shows the required information and documents for ordering certified copies of Arizona vital records.

To obtain a certified birth or death certificate from The Bureau of Vital Records, you must present a photocopy of the front and back of your signed government-issued ID. If you cannot provide an acceptable form of ID, you must sign your application at a public notary. This notarization will suffice as proof of identity.

The ADHS-BVR does not issue marriage certificates, so identification requirements may vary by county when requesting a marriage certificate.

What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Arizona?

The required documents can vary depending on which certificate you need and how you submit your application and documents. Check the ADHS Bureau of Vital Records website or your county’s health department’s website for more information regarding eligibility and requirements.

State ID Requirements

What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Arizona?

When applying for a vital record in Arizona, applicants must provide key identifying information related to the record type. This may include names, dates, locations, and other relevant details to ensure accurate identification and processing of the request.

Who is Authorized to Order

Who can request vital records in Arizona?

The certificate holder can request a certified copy of their vital records. To do so, they must present valid identification or a notarized signature for their application.

If you order vital records for someone else as a third party, you must confirm eligibility for each birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificate. Generally, The Bureau of Vital Records allows a third party to make a legal request for a copy of the vital records as long as they have some form of familial or legal relationship to the individual on record, which they will need to provide proof of.

✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest or hold a Power of Attorney from the person on record, you are eligible to request the vital record for that person.

Notarized Statement

Do I need a notary with my application?

A notarization is only required if you cannot provide a valid primary ID.

Costs and Fees

The total cost of obtaining a vital records certificate depends on The Bureau of Vital Records’ fees for each certificate, how you submit your request, and whether or not a notary is required to verify your identity.

If you order your records online, VRO’s Application Filing Service starts at $29. The Bureau of Vital Records charges a fee of $20.00 per certified birth or death certificate copy. Marriage and divorce certificate fees varies by county.

✔︎ Additional copies can be requested during the same order to save future costs in case your vital records are lost, destroyed, or stolen.

VitalRecordsOnline.com processing fee is $29.

Processing and Delivery Times

How long will it take to receive my vital records from Arizona?

Processing times for replacing birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificates can vary. The current processing and delivery times are shown below. The total waiting time will also depend on the method you use to submit your application and the documents you need.

❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.

❗️ We also advise allowing 2-3 additional days in your application process to ensure you obtain a notary (if required).

How to Track the Status of My Arizona Vital Records

If you submit your application through VRO, you can monitor your application and order processing status.

If you manually send your application packet to the health department, use first-class mail tracking to confirm its arrival. The Bureau of Vital Records ships all documents securely with first-class mail tracking but isn’t liable for misdirected or lost certificates. Report immediately if your birth certificate goes missing. Be aware that mistakes such as typos or omitted documents can lead to extended waiting periods, additional shipping charges, or the risk of exposing your personal information.

❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Arizona counties office locations directory.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Apostille

If you submit your vital records certificate to a foreign government, you must obtain an apostille. Apostilles are issued by the Secretary of State for records initially filed with The Bureau of Vital Records.

How can I get an apostille for a vital record?

You can secure Arizona’s vital record Apostilles online with us at VRO or by visiting the Secretary of State’s office.

VRO offers apostille services for all 50 US states, is acknowledged by various governments and organizations, and is accepted in over 100 countries. These services cover birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates backed by expert assistance. Starting at $149 (plus government fees).

1. Complete the VRO Apostille Express online application.
2. Submit the required documents for approval.
3. Receive your apostille document.

Once your apostille document is prepared, we’ll ship it to you through FedEx or DHL. Whether you’re based in the U.S. or elsewhere, our trusted courier partners ensure global delivery of your documents.

If you are manually sending your certificates, you will need to provide the following information:

1. A certified copy of your vital records
2. Complete the Secretary of State’s “Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request” form correctly.
3. A check or money order for $3.00 was issued to the “Arizona Secretary of State.”
4. A self-addressed, prepaid envelope

You can send your request by mail to the following address:

Secretary of State Attn: Apostille Dept.1700 W. Washington Street, Fl. 7 Phoenix, AZ 85007-2808

If you live in or near Phoenix or Tucson, you can submit your request in person at the following addresses:

Arizona State Complex Building1st floor, Suite 141400 W. Congress Tucson, AZ

(or)

Executive Tower, 2nd floor, Suite 2201700, W. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ

You can contact the office at (602) 542-6187 or 1-800-458-5842. For more information, visit https://azsos.gov/services/apostille-document-authentication.

Corrections and Amendments

The Bureau of Vital Records provides information on its website regarding how to amend vital records in various common scenarios. The exact procedure and required documents will depend on the specific circumstances of the amendment. Any supplemental changes or corrections of a vital record are made addendums to the original record, as the original document cannot be altered.

The process and requirements for correcting vital records certificate can vary depending on which type of certificate you are amending, the year the certificate was initially filed, how/where you submit the request, and what information needs to be changed.

Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application
2. Supporting documentation
3. Appropriate fee(s)

Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, divorce, and marriage certificates.

Searching Public Records

Where can I search for free public records?

Arizona birth records are made public 75 years after birth, while death certificates are made public 50 years after death. Marriage and divorce records filed before 1950 may be held by the Arizona State Archives, depending on the county in which they were filed. It’s not always easy to find free public records, but many vital records in Arizona are freely accessible.

Are Arizona Vital Records Open to the Public?

In Arizona, many state records are publicly accessible, but the access depends on the certificate type and the year when the birth, death, divorce, or marriage occurred.

Third-party websites can help you research specific types of vital records. These websites can provide good points of reference and are convenient as they are typically not limited by geographic location. However, the information on these websites is not always consistent with official government records. To search for a record on a third-party website, you must provide the following:

• The location of the record you’re looking for, including the city, county, or state where it was recorded.
• The name of the person on record, if it is not a minor.

Arizona residents can inspect or obtain copies of public vital records under the Arizona Public Records Law.

How Can I Verify That My AZ Vital Records Are Official?

Vital records vary from state to state, county to county, and municipality to municipality. You can check the document’s appearance to ensure you have the official certified copy of your birth, death, divorce, or marriage certificate. One way to differentiate between an official (authorized) copy and an informational copy is to look for a stamp or large printed text on the face of the document that says something like “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.”

What Are the Differences Between Authorized Copies of Arizona Vital Records Versus Informational Copies?

Authorized Copy:

Only certified copies of vital records constitute legal documents that serve as official identification. Informational copies are for personal reference and can not be used for identification purposes. Therefore, only those with a “direct and tangible interest” in vital records can order certified copies of the certificate.

Informational Copy:

In Arizona, informational copies of vital records are essentially unofficial (non-certified) copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates.

While informational copies provide similar details as the authorized (long form) copies (such as names, dates, and locations), they cannot be used for official purposes like establishing identity, obtaining a passport, or proving eligibility for benefits. Instead, informational copies are typically used for personal record-keeping or genealogical research.

Anyone can obtain informational copies, regardless of their relationship to the individuals named on the record. No proof of identity or notarized statement is required to request informational copies. In compliance with the Arizona Public Records Law, citizens are legally entitled to inspect or obtain copies of public records.

Find more birth, death, and marriage certificate references in the resources section.