Get your certified Arkansas Birth Certificate

Birth certificates serve as an official record of a person's birth for establishing identity and citizenship, legal proceedings, and family matters. They are widely acknowledged and approved by both public and private organizations. Furthermore, birth certificates confirm essential details such as a person's legal name, birthplace, parents' names, and date of birth.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

Apostilles are necessary when you need to present a birth certificate to a foreign government. An apostille can authenticate birth certificates initially filed with the Arkansas Department of Health. Apostilles for Arkansas birth certificates can be obtained online through VRO or the Secretary of State’s office.

If you are manually sending your birth certificates, the following information is necessary:

1. The certified copy of your birth certificate.
2. The Secretary of State’s Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form was filled out correctly.
3. A payment of $10.00 per document, payable via check or money order made to the Arkansas Secretary of State, or by including your credit card information in the request form
4. Provide a self-addressed return envelope if you prefer the documents to be returned via express mail.
5. Submit your Apostille request in person or by mail to the Secretary of State’s Business and Commercial Services Division at the following address:

A certified copy of an Arkansas birth certificate costs $12 through the Arkansas Department of Health. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $10. When using an authorized online service like VitalRecordsOnline.com, fees start at $29.00 plus state fees, which includes preparation and filing of your application.

You may also need to order a Arkansas death certificate through our secure online service.

Yes, you can order an Arkansas birth certificate online through the Arkansas Department of Health or through authorized services like VitalRecordsOnline.com. Online ordering is the fastest way to submit your request without visiting a government office. You will need the full name on the certificate, date and place of birth, names of both parents, and a valid photo ID. Standard online processing takes approximately 7 to 14 business days.

Looking for a different document? Order a Arkansas marriage certificate through our secure online service.

If you have lost or damaged your Arkansas birth certificate, you can request a replacement through the Arkansas Department of Health using the same process as ordering a new one. There is no separate replacement form — simply submit a new request online, by mail, or in person with the required fee of $12 and a valid photo ID. The replacement copy will be a newly issued certified copy with the same legal validity as the original.

Need another vital record? Get your Arkansas divorce certificate through our secure online service.

In Arkansas, birth certificates are restricted records. Only certain individuals can request a certified copy, including the person named on the certificate if they are 18 or older, a parent or legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child of the person named, a grandparent, or a legal representative with a court order or power of attorney. You must provide proof of your relationship and a valid government-issued photo ID when placing your request.

New to our service? Learn how our service works through our secure online service.

The Arkansas Department of Health does not require a separate printed application form for online orders. However, if you are ordering by mail, you can download the application form in PDF format from the Arkansas Department of Health website. The form requires information including the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, parents' names, your relationship to the person, and the purpose of the request. Mail the completed form with the $12 fee and a copy of your photo ID to the Vital Records Division.

We also offer Arkansas death certificate through our secure online service.

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Arkansas birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a Arkansas birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Browse our Arkansas marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Processing times for a Arkansas birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Arkansas vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified Arkansas birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

You may also need to order a Arkansas death certificate through our secure online service.

Little Rock residents can request an Arkansas birth certificate through the Pulaski County Circuit Clerk's office or the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) on West Markham Street. The ADH office in Little Rock processes both in-person and mail requests. You can also order your Arkansas birth certificate online for convenient delivery. Many Little Rock residents need a birth certificate when applying for an Arkansas marriage certificate or Arkansas death certificate.

Same-day birth certificate service may be available if you visit the Arkansas Department of Health office in Little Rock in person. Walk-in requests are subject to availability and processing capacity. Mail and online orders typically take 7–14 business days for standard processing. Many Arkansas residents need a certified birth certificate quickly for a REAL ID application or passport renewal.

Fort Smith residents can request an Arkansas birth certificate through the Sebastian County Circuit Clerk's office or by applying through the Arkansas Department of Health. For a statewide option, you can apply through VitalRecordsOnline.com. A certified birth certificate is commonly needed for a Social Security card or driver's license renewal. You can also start your birth certificate application online.