Get your certified Colorado Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a Colorado birth certificate costs $20 when ordered through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $13 each. Online orders through the CDPHE portal or authorized third-party services may include convenience and processing fees. County offices may charge different rates for in-person requests.

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Yes. You can order a Colorado birth certificate online through the CDPHE vital records portal or through authorized third-party providers. Online orders require a valid credit or debit card. Standard processing takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Expedited processing may be available for an additional fee. You will need to provide the full name on the certificate, date of birth, and place of birth in Colorado.

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Yes. Colorado allows authorized individuals to request a birth certificate on someone else's behalf. Eligible requesters include a parent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, grandparent, or sibling of the person named on the certificate. A legal representative with proper documentation may also request a copy. Each requester must provide a valid photo ID and proof of their relationship. If you are not an eligible party, you may authorize a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA), which allows that person to apply on your behalf through the CDPHE or a county vital records office.

Need to order for a family member? Request a Colorado birth certificate on their behalf through our secure service.

A Colorado State File Number is a unique identifier assigned to each vital record registered with the CDPHE. Including this number on your application can speed up processing. You can find it on a previously issued certified copy. If you do not have it, you can still request your birth certificate by providing the full name at birth, date of birth, and place of birth.

Don't have your file number? You can still order a Colorado birth certificate — we'll help locate your record.

The CDPHE establishes distinct rules regarding the appearance of birth certificates, ensuring that they adhere to specific authentication features. The design may differ depending on the year of issuance and the issuing county due to local guidelines and practices, which can impact their overall layout and security attributes. Standard features of official birth certificates include a raised, embossed, or multicolored state seal to signify its authenticity, which is produced on specialized, secure paper. Additionally, certified copies will display essential information such as the registrar's signature, the parents' full names, the date and location of birth, and a unique certificate number.

While Colorado issues two types of birth certificates—long-form (official) and short-form (informational)—the long-form certificates serve as certified documents, typically required for legal purposes. In contrast, short-form certificates are informational and may not carry the same legal significance. You can contact the county's vital records office for the most accurate and current information regarding the appearance and use of birth certificates.

• 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.

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

If you lose your birth certificate:

1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the CDPHE.

a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department. The CDPHE does not accept walk-ins at their location, so be sure to schedule an appointment before arriving.

b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the CDPHE at:

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246

c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).

2. CDPHE will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Replace your certificate quickly — order a Colorado birth certificate replacement through our secure service.

Amendments to a birth certificate may be necessary when inaccuracies are identified in the original preparation. The process must adhere to the requirements set forth by Colorado state law, necessitating appropriate documentation to verify the requested changes. In some cases, court orders may be required for specific amendments. Individuals seeking to correct common errors, such as misspelled names, incorrect dates, or location information, should be prepared to provide original or certified copies of any supporting documents. The CDPHE may mandate legal documentation to substantiate changes and require court orders for specific corrections.

Here are the steps to correct or amend a Colorado birth certificate:

Complete the Birth Certificate Correction Form:Fill out the form accurately with the requested changes.

1. Gather Required Documentation: Valid government-issued photo ID.

2. Supporting documents proving the need for correction (original or certified copies).

3. Court orders (if required) for specific changes.

Submit Your Application and Documents:Send all materials to CDPHE or submit them in person at a local vital records office. Note: In-person services require appointments (no walk-ins accepted).

1. Pay Required Fees: Processing fee: $20.00 for first copy, $13.00 for each additional certified copy. (Additional fees may apply for rush processing.)

2. Accepted payments: Check or money order payable to CDPHE.

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

You can obtain an apostille for your Colorado birth certificate by submitting your request through the Colorado Secretary of State's Office or online via VRO's Apostille Express Service.

An apostille is necessary when presenting your birth certificate to a foreign government that is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention. Apostilles are exclusively issued by the Colorado Secretary of State's Office for records initially filed with the CDPHE.

Steps for manual apostille requests through the Colorado Secretary of State's Office:

1. Obtain an original or certified birth record issued by the CPDHE.
2. Complete the Apostille Request Form.
3. Include payment for the apostille fee of $5.00 per document, as a check or money order payable to the Colorado Secretary of State.
4. Provide a self-addressed prepaid envelope with tracking (required for return shipping).
5. Submit the apostille application form, birth certificate, payment, and required information to the following address:

In-Person or Mail in Orders (USPS or Express Courier):

For Simultaneous orders of a birth certificate and apostille, you can submit the request to the CDPHE Vital Records Office:

1. Complete the CDPHE Birth Certificate Application Form for a vital record replacement:
2. 1. Check the Apostille Fee box indicating $5.00 for the simultaneous apostille request.
   2. Specify the intended destination country where the apostille will be used.
2. Submit Required Information and Documents for the birth certificate replacement:
3. 1. Valid proof of identity (e.g., driver’s license or passport).
   2. Include any additional documents the CDPHE requires based on your relationship to the registrant.
3. Include Payment for Fees as a check or money order made payable to Vital Records:
4. 1. $20.00 for the first certified copy. ($13.00 for additional copies of your birth certificate)
   2. $5.00 for each birth certificate to be apostilled.
   3. Note that cash is not accepted. Credit Card payment is available if CC information is completed in the request form. (All fees are non-refundable.)
4. Submit Your Application, documents, and payment:
5. 1. Applications can be submitted via mail to the following address:

Mail-in or In-Person Orders:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Colorado 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 Colorado 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.

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

Processing times for a Colorado birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Colorado 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 Colorado 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.

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

If you were born in Denver or anywhere in Colorado, birth certificates are issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) — not by individual city or county offices.

In-Person Options in Denver:

You can visit the CDPHE Vital Records office at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Walk-in service is available during business hours, and you may receive your certified copy the same day depending on volume. You'll need a valid photo ID and payment.

Denver residents frequently need certified birth certificates for Real ID applications at the Colorado DMV, passport processing, school enrollment, and name changes.

For the fastest option, order your Colorado birth certificate online and have it delivered to your door.

Same-day birth certificate service in Colorado is available at the CDPHE Vital Records office in Denver. If you visit in person during business hours and your record is on file, you can typically receive a certified copy the same day.

What to Bring:

A valid government-issued photo ID and payment for the certificate fee. If requesting someone else's record, you must show proof of eligibility — such as being a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative.

Important Notes:

Same-day service applies only to the Denver office. County clerk offices in some Colorado counties also issue birth certificates, but processing times vary. For records from before 1910, additional research time may be required as these older records have limited availability.

Prefer to skip the trip? Order your Colorado birth certificate online for convenient home delivery.

Colorado Springs residents can obtain birth certificates through the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder or by ordering directly from the state CDPHE office in Denver.

El Paso County Clerk Office:

The El Paso County Clerk's office at 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907, can issue certified copies of birth certificates for births that occurred in El Paso County. For births in other Colorado counties, you'll need to contact CDPHE or the appropriate county.

Colorado Springs is the second-largest city in Colorado, and residents here commonly need birth certificates for military base requirements at Fort Carson, Real ID applications, and USAFA enrollment documentation.

The easiest way to order from anywhere is to request your Colorado birth certificate online through our secure service.