Nebraska (NE) Vital Records

Ordering In-Person or By Mail

Applying for vital records in person can be convenient for those who live near the state health department office that issues certified copies of original vital records. In Nebraska, you can visit a physical office to obtain vital records. However, confirm that the office is open to the public for walk-ins and be prepared for potentially long lines.

Ordering online or by mail can be more efficient than applying in person, especially if the local vital records office is closed or you prefer to avoid long lines. If you live out-of-state, you can choose to order by mail. For residents living abroad, online ordering is the most convenient option. The steps are generally the same whether you apply for vital records in person or by mail.

If you choose to apply in person at the vital records office, prepare to complete the following steps:

• gathering your documents,
• getting photocopies of your documents,
• completing the correct form, and;
• presenting everything to the health department during regular business hours.

Additionally, when ordering by mail, you will need the following: 

• purchasing an envelope,
• including a physical check or money order,
• obtaining a notarized sworn statement (only required for non-authorized third parties), and,
• issuing it to the Nebraska DHHS – Office of Vital Records.

If you need to replace a birth, death, or marriage certificate for yourself or a family member, it’s important to know that each type of certificate has specific requirements for who can request a certified replacement. With Vital Records Online, the process is more accessible and helps prevent mistakes, leading to faster processing time.

❗️ To avoid your application being denied due to mistakes or incomplete information, review the requirements for each vital record before mailing it.

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

❗️ A notary is generally not required, only for non-authorized third parties who need notarized consent from an authorized person.

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

Requirements

Understanding the conditions and requirements is crucial before gathering the documents for your vital record application.

Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization: 

Before requesting certified copies of Nebraska vital records, confirm the required information and documents listed in the table below.

You must prove your identity to the Nebraska DHHS – Office of Vital Records to order certified copies. Generally, a valid driver’s license or state-issued photo ID is sufficient for most certificate types. Review acceptable IDs based on the certificate you need.

If you don’t have a valid ID, you may submit a secondary form of identification. If your ID is expired or you don’t have it, you must provide two secondary forms of ID.

For a certified birth certificate, you must verify your identity by submitting a valid government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) or two secondary forms of identification accepted by the DHHS – Office of Vital Records.

A driver’s license or state photo ID will suffice for most types of vital records requests.

What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Nebraska?

The Nebraska DHHS – Office of Vital Records has established specific criteria for each type of certificate and personal circumstance, so checking the details beforehand is necessary to ensure a successful process.

❗️ Without proper ID and a fully completed application, your request will be returned, causing considerable delays in processing your order.

Who is Authorized to Order

Who can request vital records in Nebraska?

When the person on record requests a certified copy of their vital record, they must provide proof of identity when making the request. If you order a birth, death, or marriage certificate on behalf of someone else, confirm that you are eligible by reviewing the authorized third-party applicants for the type of certificate you need.

The Nebraska DHHS – Office of Vital Records permits only specific individuals, such as family members or legal representatives of the individual on record, to legally request a copy of the vital record. Third-party applicants must have some form of familial or legal relationship with the individual on record, which they will need to provide proof of.

If your relationship with the individual on record does not qualify you as an eligible individual, you may still obtain the certificate by submitting a “notarized written consent of the registrant, or the parent or guardian of a minor registrant, to obtain the certificate.” You may be asked to provide additional documentation proving your eligibility as a third-party applicant.

✔︎ 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.

❗️ Third-party requests for Nebraska birth certificates must have a notarized letter of consent to release information from the certificate holder or legal guardian.

Notarized Sworn Statement

Do I need a notary with my application?

When requesting certified copies of birth or marriage certificates from the Nebraska DHHS – Office of Vital Records, applicants are not required to obtain notarized statements. This also applies to death certificates requested by immediate family members of the individual on record, regardless of the method of request – whether online, by mail, by telephone, or in person. However, a notarized statement may be necessary when a third-party representative requests a vital record.

If you are ordering through Vital Records Online, an online notary is included with your order.

❗️ A Notarized sworn statement may be required:

• When a third party requests a Nebraska birth certificate, they must be an authorized applicant for the certificate type.
• When amending a birth, death, or marriage certificate.

You can find more information regarding exceptional cases when a notary is required on the DHHS – Office of Vital Records website at https://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/vital-records.aspx. Notaries are often necessary in other situations, such as requesting apostilles, corrections, or amendments to vital records. Refer to the other FAQs below to learn more about these conditions.

❗️ A notary is generally not required to obtain authorized copies of Nebraska vital records. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity.

 ✔︎ Vital Records Online includes an online notary service in your application packet. Otherwise, you must bring your ID when creating this document using a local public notary.

❗️A notarized sworn statement may be required when a third party who is not an immediate family member of the record holder is requesting a birth or death certificate. Depending on the certificate type, some immediate family members may also need to provide a notarized statement.

Costs and Fees

The DHHS – Office of Vital Records determines the fees for each type of certificate. The total cost of obtaining the vital record will depend on how you submit your application and whether you need a notary to prove your identity. If you use Vital Records Online to order birth, marriage, divorce, or death records, the online Application Assistant will cost $29. Additionally, the DHHS – Office of Vital Records charges a fee of $17.00 for each certified copy of a birth record, $16.00 for each certified copy of a marriage certificate, and $16.00 for each certified copy of a death certificate.

✔︎ 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 Nebraska?

Processing and replacement times for birth, death, or marriage certificates can vary. You can check the current processing and delivery times in the table below. Please note that the method you choose to submit your application and documents can also affect the total time it takes for you to receive your vital record in the mail.

If you order through Vital Records Online, you can simplify the process of gathering documents and submitting your application packet. You can also expedite your order for quicker processing of your documents and application packet. However, remember that these times may change based on the volume of requests received by the DHHS – Office of Vital Records.

If you need a notary, you can include the notarization online as an extra step during checkout when processing your order on Vital Records Online—otherwise, account for additional time to obtain a notary from a local entity.

✔︎ All Vital Records Online includes an online notarization service that can be performed virtually during checkout.

❗️ The processing and replacement duration of birth, death, or marriage certificates by DHHS – Office of Vital Records may increase based on a high volume backlog of orders.

❗️ Account for 2-3 additional days in your application process to ensure you obtain a notary (if required).

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

How to Track My NE Vital Record?

Once you have submitted your application through Vital Records Online, you can track the order status to monitor the progress of your application and order processing. Additionally, you can track your application packet to the Nebraska DHHS – Office of Vital Records with the prepaid mail postage included with your order.

If you choose to mail the application packet manually, we advise purchasing first-class mail tracking to ensure that your application arrives successfully. The Nebraska DHHS – Office of Vital Records ships all vital records to your home via USPS first-class mail for protection. However, they do not take responsibility for any misdirected or lost certificates. If you lose your birth certificate, you must immediately file a report. It is compulsory to avoid simple errors or typos that could expose your personal information if sent to the wrong address.

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