These terms and conditions – birth records govern your use of this website and any services offered here for ordering, searching, or learning about U.S. birth records.
By visiting this site or placing an order, you agree to follow the rules below. Please read every section before you submit a request for a birth certificate or any birth record data.
This site operates as a private record service. We connect users with state and federal offices that hold birth records. We do not work for any state, county, or federal agency. We do not store actual birth records on our servers. We do not issue certified copies on our own. We help you prepare and submit your request to the right office.
1. Scope of These Terms
These terms apply to every visitor, user, and customer of this site. They cover the search tools, the request forms, the fee payments, the data we collect, and the links we share to vital records offices. They also cover any email, chat, or phone support you get from our team.
If you do not agree with any part of these terms, stop using the site right away. By continuing to use the site, you confirm that you have read, accepted, and will follow all rules listed here.
2. Eligibility to Request a Birth Record
Birth records are private under U.S. law. Not everyone can order a certified copy. The National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) sets baseline rules. Each state adds its own rules on top of those baseline rules.
You can usually order a certified birth record if you are:
- The person named on the record (called the registrant)
- A parent listed on the record
- A legal guardian with valid court papers
- A spouse, adult child, or sibling with proof of family relation
- A legal representative with a power of attorney or court order
- A government agency with a valid legal reason
Other people may qualify in some states. Check your state’s vital records office for the full list. Some states allow certified copies for genealogy research after a set number of years. The cutoff is often 75 or 100 years after the birth year.
3. Authorized Copy vs. Informational Copy
Most states issue two types of birth records. Knowing the difference helps you order the right type for your needs.
An authorized copy is a certified copy printed on security paper. It carries a raised seal, a registrar signature, and a unique serial number. You can use it for legal purposes. This includes getting a passport, enrolling in school, joining the military, claiming Social Security benefits, or proving citizenship. Only eligible people can order this type.
An informational copy shows the same birth data. It carries a stamp or watermark that says “Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity.” You cannot use it for legal ID. It costs less than an authorized copy. More people can order it. It is good for personal records, baby book keepsakes, or family history projects.
Choose the right type before you pay for the order. We do not refund the price difference after you submit the order to the state office.
4. Identification and Proof Requirements
To order a certified birth certificate, you must prove who you are. You also must prove your legal right to the record. Each state sets its own document list. Common items include:
- A valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
- A second form of ID (Social Security card, utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub)
- Proof of family relation (your own birth certificate, court order, or marriage license)
- A sworn statement or notarized request form
If you order on behalf of another person, you may need to send a notarized authorization letter. You may also need to send proof of your own identity. Some states accept only in-person applications for certain records, such as records for living minors.
False statements on a birth record request are a crime in every U.S. state. They can lead to fines, criminal charges, and jail time under state law.
5. Order Process and Application Terms
When you place an order on this site, you must give correct and complete data. This includes:
- The full name on the birth record
- The date of birth (month, day, year)
- The place of birth (city, county, state, and hospital if known)
- The full name of both parents as listed on the record
- Your current mailing address
- Your phone number and email address
- Your reason for the request
Wrong or missing data can delay your order by weeks. We pass your data to the right vital records office. That office checks it against their files. If the data does not match, the office may reject the order. We are not responsible for delays caused by wrong data you provide.
You also confirm that you meet the eligibility rules for the type of copy you select. If you do not meet those rules, the state office will not issue the record to you.
6. Fees, Payments, and Refund Policy
Each state sets its own fees for birth records. The state fee covers the search, the certificate, and the security paper. Shipping and handling may be added on top of the state fee.
We charge a service fee for our search tools, application prep, and order tracking. This service fee is separate from the state fee. The service fee covers the work we do on your behalf. It is not a refundable deposit.
| Fee Type | What It Covers | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|
| State fee | Search, certificate, and security paper | Only if no record is located |
| Service fee | Our prep, review, and tracking work | No |
| Shipping fee | Mail, courier, or express delivery | No once the order ships |
| Expedite fee | Faster processing where offered by the state | No |
| Amendment fee | Filing a correction to a record | Only if the state rejects the filing |
We do not refund the state fee if a record is located and issued. We do not refund any fee after we submit your order to the state office. If the state office denies your order, we will tell you why in writing. We may help you fix the issue for a new service fee.
7. Processing Times and Delivery Policy
Processing time depends on the state and the order method. Some states finish in 3 business days. Others take 4 to 8 weeks. In-person requests at a state counter are often faster than mail or online requests.
We list the current processing time for each state on our order pages. These times are estimates. They are not promises. Delays can happen due to:
- Backlogs at the state vital records office
- Errors on the request that need fixing
- Mail or courier delays
- Natural disasters, holidays, or state office closures
- Extra verification needs for older records
Most certified copies are mailed in a secure, tamper-proof envelope. Some state offices offer in-person pickup for an extra fee. Rush and expedite options are available in some states for an added cost.
8. Data Security and Privacy Policy
Personal Data Protection
We collect only the data we need to process your order. This includes your name, mailing address, ID details, payment data, and family relation proof. We store this data on encrypted servers behind a firewall. We do not sell your data to third parties for marketing or advertising.
We share your data only with:
- The state vital records office that holds the record you ordered
- Our payment processor for card or ACH transactions
- Our shipping partner for mail or courier delivery
- Law enforcement, only when required by a valid court order or subpoena
NVSS Compliance
The National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) is a federal program. It is run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the states together. It sets privacy and security rules for all birth and death data in the United States. We follow these rules for every order we handle on your behalf.
State laws add extra layers of protection. In most states, birth records become public only after 75 to 100 years. Before that cutoff, only eligible people can get a certified copy. You must show valid ID and proof of relation every time.
9. Amendments and Corrections to Birth Records
If a birth record has a mistake, you can ask for an amendment. Common reasons include:
- Spelling errors in the first or last name
- Wrong date or place of birth
- Missing parent data on the original record
- Legal name change after adoption
- Sex designation change
- Father listed on the record at a later date (paternity acknowledgment)
Each state has its own amendment form. Most states need supporting papers. These can include a court order, a hospital record, a baptismal certificate, or a sworn affidavit. The state charges an amendment fee. The original record is sealed after a change is approved. A new amended certificate is issued in its place.
We can help you prepare the paperwork. We can also help you file the request with the state office. We do not represent you in court. For court orders, you will need a licensed attorney.
10. Use Restrictions and Legal Limits
You agree to use this site and any data you get from it only for legal purposes. You will not use the data to:
- Commit fraud or identity theft
- Stalk, harass, or harm another person
- Make decisions about credit, employment, housing, or insurance
- Sell or share the data with a third party for profit
- Break any state or federal law
- Impersonate any person listed on the record
Misuse of birth record data can lead to civil and criminal penalties. Each state has its own penalties. They can include fines up to $10,000 per record and jail time of up to 5 years. Federal identity theft laws add extra penalties for misuse across state lines.
11. Limitation of Liability
We provide this site and our services on an “as is” basis. We do not promise that the site will always be free of errors or downtime. We do not promise that every order will be approved by the state office.
We are not liable for:
- Delays caused by the state vital records office
- Loss of data or records in the mail
- Errors in the state record itself
- Decisions made by a third party based on the data you receive
- Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages of any kind
- Service outages caused by events outside our control
Our total liability for any claim related to your order is limited to the service fee you paid us. It does not include the state fee, the shipping fee, or any third-party fee.
12. Third-Party Links and Services
Our site links to state vital records offices, payment processors, and shipping partners. We do not control these third parties. Once you click a link, you leave our site. Read the terms and privacy policy of each third party before you share data with them.
We are not responsible for how third parties handle your data. We are not responsible for changes they make to their fees, forms, or services without telling us.
13. Intellectual Property
All text, images, logos, and code on this site belong to us or to our licensors. You may not copy, share, or change any part of the site without written permission from us. You may print pages for your own personal, non-commercial use only.
State seals, federal seals, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services marks belong to those agencies. We do not claim ownership of any official government mark.
14. Changes to These Terms
We may update these terms at any time. The new version goes into effect the day we post it on this page. We will change the “Last Updated” date at the top. Check back often to stay current with the rules.
If you keep using the site after we post changes, you accept the new terms. If you do not accept them, stop using the site right away. Existing orders are governed by the terms in force on the date you placed the order.
15. Termination of Access
We can block, suspend, or ban any user at any time. We can do this for any reason, with or without notice. Common reasons include fraud, abuse, harassment of our team, or breaking these terms. We may also report suspected fraud to law enforcement.
16. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These terms follow the laws of the State of Delaware, where this site is operated. Any dispute will be handled in the state or federal courts located in Delaware. You agree to this court location by using the site.
Before you file a lawsuit, contact our support team. Most issues can be resolved through a phone call or email within 30 days.
17. Severability
If a court finds any part of these terms unenforceable, the rest of the terms still apply. We will remove or change the bad part and keep the rest in force. The rest of the agreement stays valid and binding.
18. Contact and Office Information
If you have questions about these terms and conditions – birth records, please reach out to our support team. We can help with order status, eligibility questions, payment issues, and privacy requests.
Official Website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/index.htm
National Vital Statistics System Phone: 1-800-232-4636
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern Time
Mailing Address: National Center for Health Statistics, 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782
For state-specific birth record orders, contact your state’s vital records office directly. Each state has its own fees, forms, and processing times. You can get a full state directory at the CDC NVSS page listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most common user concerns about birth record terms, eligibility, processing, and privacy. Each answer is based on current U.S. federal and state rules. If your state has different rules, the state rule applies.
1. What is the difference between an authorized and informational copy of a birth record?
An authorized copy is a certified copy printed on security paper with a raised seal, a registrar signature, and a unique serial number. It is a legal document. You can use it for a passport, a driver’s license, school enrollment, a Social Security card, or a court name change. Only eligible requesters can order it. This list includes the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, and certain close relatives with proof of family tie. An informational copy has the same birth data fields. It carries a stamp or watermark that says it is not valid for legal ID purposes. It costs less than an authorized copy. More people can order it. You use it for personal records, baby book keepsakes, or family history research. State law limits who can get an authorized copy under each state’s vital records code.
2. How long does it take to get a certified birth certificate?
Processing time depends on the state and the order method. In-person orders at a state counter office are often ready the same day or the next business day. Mail orders take 4 to 8 weeks in most states. Online orders through an authorized service take 3 to 15 business days on average. Rush and expedite options cut the time down for an added fee. Delays can happen during peak seasons, state holidays, or declared emergencies. The state vital records office will notify you by mail if your order needs more time. Always check the current processing time for your state before you order. The estimate is posted on the state’s official vital records page and updated every quarter.
3. Can I order a birth record for someone who has passed away?
Yes, in most states you can order a birth record for a deceased person. You must show proof of death and proof of your family relation. A certified death certificate, an obituary from a recognized newspaper, or a funeral home record can serve as proof of death. You also must meet the state’s standard eligibility rules. Parents, adult children, grandchildren, and legal representatives can usually order. Some states also allow licensed funeral directors to order on behalf of the surviving family. A court order may be needed if you are not on the standard eligible list. Each state has its own form for this type of request. The state fee is the same as a regular certified copy. There is no extra fee for a deceased person in most states.
4. How do I fix a mistake on a birth record?
To fix a mistake, file an amendment with the state vital records office that issued the original record. The form and the proof you need depend on the type of error. A minor spelling error takes a simple form plus hospital records or a baptismal certificate. A legal name change needs a court order. A parent listed at a later date needs a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity form filed with the state. A sex designation change needs medical proof and a court order in many states. The state charges a fee for the amendment. The original record is sealed once the change is approved. A new amended certificate is issued in its place. Processing time for an amendment is 4 to 12 weeks. We can help you prepare the paperwork and file the request on your behalf. We do not represent you in court.
5. Is my personal data safe when I order online?
Your data is safe when you order through a service that follows NVSS rules and uses SSL encryption on all forms. We use 256-bit SSL encryption on every page. We store your data on secure servers behind a firewall in the United States. We share your data only with the state office, the payment processor, and the shipping partner. We do not sell your data to marketers or third-party advertisers. We delete your data after the order is complete and the legal retention period ends. The state office also follows strict data rules. The NVSS sets baseline security standards for all U.S. birth data. State laws add extra layers. You can ask us to delete your data at any time, subject to legal retention rules and active order status.
6. Can I use a birth record from another country in the United States?
It depends on the country of birth and the purpose. Some countries are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Their birth records can be used in the U.S. with an apostille stamp from that country’s government. Other countries need their records translated into English by a certified translator and then notarized. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sets the rules for immigration filings. State vital records offices issue a U.S. birth record only for births that happened in that state. For a child born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) serves as the official record. You order it from the U.S. Department of State, not from a state vital records office. The CRBA is a legal proof of citizenship for life.
7. What happens if my birth record cannot be located?
If the state office cannot locate your record, they will issue a “no record located” letter. You will get a refund of the state fee only. The service fee is not refunded because we already did the prep, review, and submission work. You can try again with corrected data at no extra state fee in most states. Common reasons for a no record result include a name spelling error, a wrong year, a wrong hospital or county of birth, or a record filed in a different jurisdiction. We can help you search the right county or state. We can also help you file a delayed birth registration if no record exists at all. This delayed registration needs extra proof, such as baptismal records, census data, school records, or insurance records. The delayed registration goes through the same state office and follows state law. It can take 8 to 16 weeks to complete.