How to get a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate

Learn how to get a birth certificate replacement if you were born inside or outside the U.S. And find out how to get a replacement if all your other forms of ID have been lost.

Born in the U.S.: how to get a certified copy of your birth certificate

Contact your birth state or territory’s vital records office to find out:

  • How to order a certified copy of your birth certificate online, by mail, or in person
  • How to get a copy fast
  • The cost for each certified copy 

You will need to know the city and county where you were born.

U.S. citizen born abroad: how to get a copy of your birth certificate or report

The U.S. embassy or consulate in your birth country issued a consular report of birth abroad (CRBA) if your parents reported your birth to them. The CRBA serves the same purpose as a U.S. birth certificate. See how to replace a consular report of birth abroad.

Lost all your IDs: how to get a copy of your birth certificate

Check with your birth state’s vital records office for what it requires. Most states have another way to verify your identification, such as:

  • Your sworn statement of identity
  • A notarized letter and a copy of the photo ID from the mother or father listed on your birth certificate

If you cannot get a copy of your birth certificate, try to replace your driver's license first.

LAST UPDATED: January 30, 2024

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