How to Get a Copy of Your Birth Certificate

A birth certificate is needed to apply for a passport, a marriage license or to register for college. Your child will need a birth certificate to enter a preschool or start kindergarten. Obtaining a birth certificate can take several days or a couple of weeks, so apply for a new one as soon as possible.

You will need:

Phone book
Address for the Office of Vital Statistics
Personal Information
SASE
Fee

Follow these steps:

Step 1:
Get a phone book for your place of birth. You will need to find the phone number of the towns office of vital statistics. If you have a free 411 service for your telephone you can find the information that way as well.

Step 2:
Ask the clerk what their address is. You will need to write and mail a letter requesting the copy of your birth certificate.

Step 3:
Include your name, nicknames, date of birth, place of birth, mother's maiden name, father's name, and your current address in the letter. You will also need to include your driver's license number, and in some cases a copy of your driver's license.

Step 4:
Sign and date the request letter and place it in an envelope.

Step 5:
Include a self addressed stamped envelope with your request or else you won't get your birth certificate.

Step 6:
Add a check for the fee. The clerk can tell you what the fee is, but it is usually between $5-$10 per copy.

Step 7:
Mail the letter and wait for a copy of your birth certificate to come in the mail.

Tips and Warnings:
If you don't have any checks to cover the fee, you can enclose a money order.

Make sure you include your entire name. If you have a middle name you will need to write it. If you are a Jr. or a III you will need to include that as well.