The Best Way to Apply for a Birth Certificate Online
A birth certificate is a record of a person’s identity. Birth certificates are vital if you want to get a passport or a driver’s license, enroll a child in school, or even if you would like to become the President of the United States.
Your birth certificate can be the most important document to prove your identity and age, so you should always have a copy available. With , you can seamlessly apply for an online copy of your birth certificate.
The Difference Between an Authorized and Informational Birth Certificate Copy
It is important to note that you may receive two different copies when obtaining a copy of your birth certificate. The Bureau of Vital Statistics (the state agency in charge of maintaining records) can issue either an authorized or informational copy.
- A certified copy (authorized) contains the seal and signature of the local registrar. An authorized copy is used for purposes, such as passport application and marriage.
- An informational copy is just that–an informational document. It is a computer printout of an individual’s birthdate, city, and county where the event occurred. An informational copy does not have a seal or signature.
How to Get a Birth Certificate Online By Yourself
There are unfortunate occasions when you lose your birth certificate. When this happens, you can apply to get a copy of it.
- Contact the vital records office in the state where you were born.
- Follow the prompts and pay the requisite fees.
Price varies by state. You can order a birth certificate online from some websites for $10 to $45 but some charge as much as $80 to $100. The processing and delivery time also varies by state:
Delivery Method | Processing Time | Delivery Time |
Regular Mail | Depending on the state, processing can take 3 to 14 business days or as long as 98 days. | 7 to 10 business days |
Express Mail | Depending on the state, processing can take 1 to 60 business days. Some states do not expedite requests. | Overnight |
Next Steps for Birth Certificate Online Application if You Can’t Do It Yourself
Applying for an online copy on your own can be tedious. You may also encounter discrepancies in the application cost as they vary across the states. If you don’t pay the exact fees, there may be delays in the issuance of the copy.
You can request a birth certificate online using DoNotPay, so you don’t have to worry about delays. It automatically calculates the necessary fees from your location and requests a copy.
Solve the Birth Certificate Online Problem Quickly with DoNotPay
If you want to order/get a birth certificate copy online but don’t know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 8 easy steps:
- Go to the Birth Certificates product on DoNotPay.
- Select who the certificate is for (you or a loved one). If you are requesting a copy of someone else’s certificate, enter their personal details, and upload evidence that proves your relationship.
- Enter the location you or your loved one was born in, so we can complete the form specific to your state.
- Enter the name(s) of the parent(s) as displayed on the certificate.
- Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy.
- Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license.
- Choose whether you would like to electronically sign this form or not. Once we generate the form, verify that all of the information is correct.
- If you need the document to be notarized, schedule a notarization appointment using our Notary product. Otherwise, proceed to our Mail Checks product and let DoNotPay mail in your request form with a check on your behalf.
Why You Should Use DoNotPay to Solve the Online Birth Certificate Problem
offers an ingenious service that helps you get an online birth certificate copy. All you need to do is answer a few questions and let DoNotPay handle the rest. Using DoNotPay has the following benefits:
- It’s fast: You will get a copy of your birth certificate in no time. Depending on the process you choose, you can get your birth certificate in a matter of days.
- It’s accurate: Using DoNotPay eliminates the possible errors that may arise when completing an application without assistance. Every detail is correct, and the chances of rejection by the authorities concerned are significantly reduced.
- It’s secure: All transactions are encrypted to ensure there is no breach of security. No one can access your information. The authorities are the only ones who can view the sensitive information in your online application.
- It’s easy: You can use DoNotPay on any smartphone and do not need to go through stacks of paper and piles of forms.
- Most importantly, it’s affordable: Using DoNotPay is significantly cheaper compared to the cost of manually completing your birth certificate application in person.
With DoNotPay, you can request your birth certificate online with the click of a button!