The Fastest Way to Get a Copy of a City of Royal Oak Birth Certificate

There are many reasons you might need a copy of a birth certificate: applying for a passport, registering a child for school, applying for a marriage license, and more. But like all important pieces of paper that you don't need regularly, birth certificates are easy to misplace.

If you find that you have to replace a City of Royal Oak birth certificate, then you'll need to know the steps to order a new copy. This article will walk you through the process of how to replace a lost birth certificate, the details you'll need to make sure your request goes through, and the processing time to get it done. And if you'd like to know an easier to navigate all these hoops, DoNotPay can help you with that.

Who Can Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in the City of Royal Oak?

Who is eligible depends on where you're getting a birth certificate. According to their website, anyone who is eligible to request a City of Royal Oak birth certificate can do so through the Clerk's Office.

Copies for birth certificates that are more than 100 years old are available to anyone. However, for those that are less than 100 years old, the requirements are fairly stringent if you're trying to find a copy of a birth certificate directly from the city. However, the Michigan Vital Records Office makes them available to more people.

City of Royal Oak

1. The parents listed on the birth certificate
2. The child on the certificate

State of Michigan Vital Records Office

1. The parents
2. The child
3. A guardian of the child
4. A representative of the child
5. An heir if the child is deceased
6. A court if there is a court order

It's important to know that the rules are different for people born before 1978 to parents who weren't married. For those birth certificates, you will have to contact the Lansing Clerk's Office. Children who are born to unmarried parents don't have their father listed on their birth certificate unless the parents fill out an Affidavit of Parentage. This can complicate custody issues and make it more difficult for fathers to request a copy of their child's birth certificate.

What Does it Cost to Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate?

If you order the copy directly from the City of Royal Oak, the costs are lower than if you request a copy from the State of Michigan Vital Records Office. Prices are discussed below.

City of Royal Oaks

• $15 for the first copy
• $5 for additional copies
• If you use a credit or debit card, you'll pay an additional service fee, which is 2.75% of the payment, or a minimum of $1.95

State of Michigan Vital Records Office

• $58.50 with a two week processing time
• Another $19.75 to receive the birth certificate in 1-3 business days

How Long Will it Take to Get a Birth Certificate From the City of Royal Oak?

If you're ordering your certified copy from the city, the time it will take to get the birth certificate varies, based on how you make your request.

What Documents Will I Need?

If you want your request to go through, you'll need to be sure you have the documents that are required. Here's what you need to apply for a birth certificate.

In-Person Requests

• Relevant information, including the child's full name, the date of birth, the mother's maiden name, and place of birth.
• A valid form of identification, such as a state ID or driver's license.
• For payment, credit or debit cards are only accepted in person.

Requests by Mail

• Completed Mail-in Birth Certificate Request Form.
• Cashier's Check or Money Order, payable to the City of Royal Oak (personal checks or cash are not accepted.)
• A copy of a valid form of ID.

Online Requests

• All the relevant information for the online form.
• An uploadable copy of a valid form of ID.
• IMPORTANT: When your application has been approved, the city will send you a link by email so you can pay the fees. The request will not be processed until you make that payment, so be sure to watch for that email.

DoNotPay Can Help You Request a Birth Certificate in Minutes

If you'd rather not wade through the details to find the best way to get a fast birth certificate, let DoNotPay take care of the footwork for you. Our easy-to-use app was designed to make it simple for people to get tasks like this done. You don't have to comb through websites to ensure you're getting every box checked. DoNotPay knows how to deal with government offices, and the City of Royal Oak is no exception.

Here Are the 8 Simple Steps to Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Royal Using DoNotPay:

If you want to order/get a birth certificate copy in the City of Royal Oak, but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 8 easy steps:

1. Go to the Birth Certificates product on DoNotPay.

2. 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.

3. Enter the location you or your loved one was born in, so we can complete the form specific to your state.

4. Enter the name(s) of the parent(s) as displayed on the certificate.

5. Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy.

6. Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.

7. 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.

8. 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 it Makes Sense to Use DoNotPay to Request a Copy of a City of Royal Oak Birth Certificate

If you need a copy of a birth certificate, you don't want to wait. Figuring out how to make your request online and getting all the parts in place can be time-consuming and frustrating. But DoNotPay can take care of all the details, so you don't have to print out documents, go to the post office, or navigate the process.

DoNotPay was made to be a lawyer in your pocket, and requesting a copy of a birth certificate is a simple process for us. We put that power at your fingertips, so you can make it all happen right from your phone. Try us out, and see how easy it can be.