Vital Records Online (VRO) is a secure, US-based service for quickly obtaining Utah birth, death, and marriage certificates online. VRO ensures the safe delivery of your important documents while maintaining your privacy.
Summary:
Utah’s first fully organized local health department began in Davis County in 1937. In the following 20 years, local health services were organized in most of the state’s major cities and larger counties. After a 30-year effort, the Salt Lake County and Salt Lake City Health Departments were merged in 1969. Since then, the Utah Office of Vital Statistics has maintained vital records for the state, including birth and death certificates, marriage applications, and divorce records.
Find out how to obtain official Utah vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. Find out what information they contain, where to order them, and how they are used.
Start Your Application Online for UT Vital Records
Request a certified copy of live birth for your baby or child.
Obtain marriage records for yourself or a family member.
Get an original copy of a death certificate replacement for a lost record.
Utah vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, are necessary for various life events like marriage, school enrollment, military, or travel. They help prove your identity, citizenship, and family relationships and can be helpful in legal disputes, claim inheritance, and family history research. These documents provide key insights about your ancestors, like their full names, birth and death dates, and locations. If you lose a vital record, it’s imperative to file a police report immediately and request a certified replacement. You can learn more about the importance and uses of vital records in the birth, death, and marriage certificate FAQs.
In Utah, birth and death certificates are maintained and issued at the county and state levels by the Utah Department of Health – Office of Vital Records and Statistics (UDOH-OVRS). You can request Utah vital records online, in person, or by mail. The UDOH-OVRS offers online and mail-in requests but does not accept in-person requests. Some county offices offer in-person requests, though this can vary by county.
The state health department can issue marriage certificates for marriages recorded from 1978 to 2010, but for marriages outside of this range, the certificate must be requested from the county clerk’s office where the marriage occurred. However, with VRO, marriage certificates can be ordered online from any location.
To find where to request birth, death, or marriage certificates, search for your county’s vital record issuing agency in the complete list below, which contains locations, contact information, and access to online applications for requesting birth, death, and marriage certificates.
❗️If you’re seeking ancestral records for genealogy research in Utah, they are freely available from various public archives.
Visiting the Vital Records Office
Ordering Vital Records Online
Utah residents can request vital record certificates online, in person, or by mail services. The state does not offer in-person requests; they must be requested at local offices, which vary by county. Many marriage certificates can only be obtained at a regional office in the county where they were initially issued. Under such circumstances, mail or online requests are the most reliable method.
The Utah Department of Health is responsible for producing and certifying vital record certificates. Obtaining certified copies of vital records is straightforward, although each record type has different requirements.
The type of certificate you need and the ordering method will impact the associated costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times. Whether ordering online, by mail, or in person, reviewing the steps and conditions is crucial before applying for certified copies from the UDOH-OVRS. Be certain that your documents, application, and payment for the fee are submitted to the correct location.
❗️ The UDOH Office of Vital Records and Statistics of Vital Records does not have a public counter, so in-person requests at the state health department are not possible; however, local offices throughout the state may offer in-person services.
❗️ The UDOH-OVRS only issues marriage certificates from 1978 to 2010; marriage certificates recorded outside this time frame are issued from the county office that created the original certificate.
Ordering Utah vital records online is a quick and easy two-step process:
(Choose additional options if you need to insure, expedite, or obtain premium customer support for your application.)
Vital Records Online provides a simple and convenient system for compiling the required documents for the appropriate application and submitting your packet to the relevant health department’s vital records office. VRO’s streamlined process also helps prevent common mistakes or missing documents to reduce the chance of application rejections.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for a Utah birth, death, or marriage certificate online. When you have the necessary documents ready for upload, the online application procedure can be completed in as little as five minutes from any internet-connected device.
✔︎ Our $29 processing fee includes your automated document processing and first-class shipping & handling.
✔︎ Additional copies of your certified vital records can be purchased for the state’s fee during the online application to save future costs.
✔︎ Vital Records Online’s support team manages scanning and printing your application and documents. Learn more about how the online ordering and handling process works.
✔︎ A notarized sworn statement is not required when ordering a Utah birth, death, or marriage certificate online.
Those who live near a local health department office that issues certified copies of vital records can consider applying in person. Verify that the office is open for walk-ins, and be prepared for long queues.
If you are located far away from the office that issues vital records or reside in another state, you may find it more convenient to apply for these records through the mail or online. For those who live abroad, ordering online is the easiest way to request vital records. Ordering by mail or online also helps to avoid the difficulties of applying in person.
The procedure is 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:
Additionally, when ordering by mail, you will need the following:
Learn more about VRO’S services for requesting a replacement birth, death, or marriage certificate for you or a family member. VRO can expedite processing times by streamlining the process and eliminating potential errors that can prolong the ordering process.
❗️ 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.
❗️ If you mail your application and documents manually, it is recommended to purchase mail tracking to confirm their arrival at the correct office.
Reviewing the terms and requirements for your vital record request is compulsory before gathering the required information and documents.
Proof of Identity for Verifying Authorization
All applicants requesting confidential Utah vital record certificates must provide proof of identity. The UDOH-OVRS defines acceptable primary and secondary forms of identification—a photocopy of a valid primary ID or two forms of secondary ID. Government-issued photo IDs such as driver’s licenses and passports are considered primary IDs. Examples of accepted secondary identification may include school ID cards, social security cards, and utility bills.
What Documents Are Required to Order Vital Records in Utah?
The UDOH-OVRS specifies eligibility conditions and requirements for acquiring certified Utah birth, death, and marriage certificates. Check the table below for the information and documents needed for each Utah vital record certificate type.
The UDOH only issues certified copies of marriage certificates between 1978 and 2010, so identification requirements can vary by county when requesting a marriage certificate outside of this time frame.
❗️ Without proper ID and a fully completed application, your request will be returned, causing considerable delays in processing your order.
What Information is Required to Apply for Vital Records in Utah?
When applying for a vital record in Utah, 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 can request vital records in Utah?
The person on record can request certified copies of their birth and marriage certificates by providing proof of identity. If someone else requests on their behalf, they must first confirm their eligibility for each type of certificate as an authorized individual to request certified copies. A parent, child, sibling, spouse, grandparent, or grandchild of the individual on record can lawfully request certified copies of Utah vital records regardless of the certificate type.
The UDOH-OVRS permits a third party to request a copy of a vital record if they have a legal or familial relationship with the individual mentioned in the record. However, if the third party is not an authorized family member, they must provide additional proof of the relationship.
✔︎ If you can provide documentation of legal interest in the record, you are eligible to request the vital record.
The UDOH-OVRS generally does not require applicants to obtain notarized statements when requesting certified copies of vital records, regardless of whether they order by mail, in person, or online. This also applies to requests by third parties, although other documentation is often required in these cases.
❗️ A Notarized sworn statement is typically only required when requesting an amendment to a record.
Visit the UDOH-OVRS website at https://vitalrecords.utah.gov/certificates/order-a-vital-record-certificate for more information about specific situations that may require a notary, such as corrections or amendments to vital records. Find more details regarding these conditions in other FAQs below.
✔︎ A notary is generally not required to obtain authorized copies of Utah vital records. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity.
The cost of obtaining your vital record replacements will depend on the UDOH-OVRS fees for each type of certificate and the order method you use.
When ordering birth, marriage, or death certificates online, VRO’s online Application Filing Service starts at $29. The UDOH-OVRS charges $22.00 per certified birth certificate,
$18.00 for each marriage certificate (between 1978 and 2010), and $30.00 for each death certificate. If you order multiple copies of the same record type simultaneously, each additional copy costs $10.00. Fees may vary when requesting your certificate from a local office.
✔︎ 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.
How long will it take to receive my vital records from Utah?
Processing and delivery times for birth, death, or marriage certificates may vary. Refer to the table below for current expected wait times, but be aware that processing times fluctuate based on the volume of requests received by the UDOH-OVRS.
The total processing time can also be affected by the method you choose to submit your application and documents. VRO simplifies the process of preparing and submitting your application packet to UDOH-OVRS. You can also expedite your order for faster processing and submission.
❗️ The processing and replacement duration of birth, death, or marriage certificates by UDOH-OVRS may increase based on a high volume backlog of orders.
❗️ A simple error, typo, or missing document can cause wait times to double, repeat shipping costs, or expose personal information.
You can monitor the status of your application after submitting it through Vital Records Online and track the packet delivery progress to the UDOH-OVRS with the first-class prepaid mail postage included with each order. If you manually mail your application packet to the health department, remember to purchase first-class mail tracking to confirm its successful delivery.
The UDOH-OVRS ships all vital records via USPS first-class mail for security purposes but is not liable for misdirected or lost certificates. If your vital record certificate goes missing, immediately file a report. A simple mistake or typo could potentially expose your personal information if sent to the wrong address.
❓ Find more frequently asked questions below the Utah counties office locations directory.
An apostille is necessary to provide when a vital record is filed with a foreign government. Apostilles are issued by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for vital records initially recorded with the UDOH-OVRS.
How can I get an apostille for a vital record?
To obtain an apostille for Utah vital records, you can apply through the Lt. Governor’s office or Vital Records Online. VRO provides professionally assisted apostille services for all 50 US states’ birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates with legal validity by governments in over 100 countries. Starting at $149 (plus government fees), the entire process can be conveniently completed online in just three steps:
In most cases, the entire process can be completed online since providing physical copies of your documents is unnecessary. Once your apostille is finalized, it will be sent to you via FedEx or DHL. Your package is delivered to your doorstep regardless of location, whether within the United States or abroad.
You will need to provide the following information:
You can submit requests for vital record apostilles to the Lt. Governor’s office at the following addresses:
For express shipping (UPS, DHL, or Federal Express), send the request to the physical address:
Office of the Lieutenant Governor,
350 North State Street, Suite 220,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
For standard mail, use the following address:
Office of the Lieutenant Governor,
PO BOX 142325,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114
You can reach the office at (801) 538-1041 or online at https://authentications.utah.gov/.
The UDOH-OVRS provides resources for common scenarios when correcting or amending Utah birth, marriage, and death certificates. The forms and documentation vary depending on the vital record and the type of correction requested. No entity can alter an original vital record, so amendments become addendums/supplements to the original document.
In most cases, amending a vital record requires a court order, which commonly involves hiring an attorney.
Correcting or amending vital records usually will require the following:
Learn more about correcting or amending birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Where can I search for free public records?
Many of Utah’s vital records are freely and readily accessible to the public, but it can be challenging to locate accessible public records free of charge. Birth records become public after 100 years, and death records become public after 50 years. Marriage and divorce records are made public after 75 years.
You can search Utah’s archives of birth, marriage, divorce, and death records for the information if you are prepared to dedicate a considerable amount of time.
Are Utah Vital Records Open to the Public?
Most state records in Utah are public, but access to vital records depends on the type of certificate and the year the birth, marriage, or death occurred. Third-party websites can be helpful when researching vital records, as they typically are not limited by geographic location. However, while they can provide a good reference point, the information on their records may not always match official government records.
To find a record on a third-party website, the person requesting must provide the following information:
To verify if your Utah vital record is an official (certified) copy, check for the raised state seal and registrar’s signature on the document. These two elements indicate that the document is an official copy and certified by the Utah Department of Health – Office of Vital Records and Statistics.
Vital record certificates in Utah can vary depending on which county or agency issued them. To ensure that you have an official certified copy of your birth, death, or marriage certificate, you can compare authorized copies to informational copies from the county where it was issued, as different counties can have distinct vital record certificates.
Informational copies of vital records can usually be identified by a stamp or large print on the document indicating that it is “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity” or something similar.
Authorized Copy:
Authorized copies are legal documents that, unlike informational copies, can be used to establish identity. These official, certified documents can only be acquired by individuals with a “direct and tangible interest” in the document.
Informational Copy:
Informational copies of vital record certificates are sometimes referred to as short-form, unofficial (non-certified), “heirloom,” or “commemorative” certificates. These copies are not official legal documents and cannot be used for official purposes such as establishing identity, obtaining a passport, or proving eligibility for benefits. They are intended for display, personal reference, or genealogical research.
The UDOH currently does not offer any form of informational copy, except for adoptees seeking non-certified copies of their original birth certificate. Some local offices may offer informational copies of marriage certificates, though this varies by county.
Find more references regarding birth, death, and marriage certificates in the resources section.
Visit the official Utah government website at https://vitalrecords.utah.gov/
