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Order your government-issued Colorado death certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order Colorado Death Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
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Learn how to order Colorado Birth Certificates from the CDPHE. The state fee for obtaining a birth certificate is $20.00, with additional copies available for $13.00 each, and the current processing time is approximately 2 to 3 weeks. Authorized individuals who may request a birth certificate include the certificate holder, immediate family members, and authorized third parties.
To obtain a birth certificate, you can order it in person or by mail through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) or apply online now through VRO. Before proceeding with your order, reviewing the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times is essential.
Order your Colorado birth certificate online quickly and securely through VRO in two simple steps:
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
All applicants must provide proof of identity when requesting certified copies of birth records from the CDPHE. A government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or US Passport is sufficient as a primary ID. Additional documentation may be necessary for third-party requests depending on the relationship to the record holder. Refer to the table below for comprehensive details regarding the required information and documents.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
---|---|
Alien Registration Receipt/Permanent Resident Card | Acknowledgment of Parentage Document (Colorado Only) |
If you do not possess a primary form of identification accepted by the CDPHE, you can provide two forms of secondary identification listed in the table above. In the absence of two secondary forms, it is advisable to contact the CDPHE Vital Records office for guidance on alternative identification options.
Cost & fees
The total cost to replace a birth certificate is influenced by the ordering method (in person, by mail, or online). CDPHE current fees for certified copies are $20.00, and additional copies are $13.00 each when ordered with the same request.
State Fee |
---|
$20.00 |
Rush Processing |
---|
Not offered |
Additional Copy |
---|
1 x $13.00 |
Processing time
The total time to process and receive a Colorado birth certificate can vary based on the method of application submission. The current processing time defined by the CDPHE is approximately 2 to 3 weeks from the date received.
Processing Time |
---|
2-3 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
---|
Not offered |
Authorization
The person named on the birth record can request certified copies of their birth records but must confirm their identity by providing a valid form of identification. If you are requesting a birth certificate on behalf of someone else, check the eligibility requirement to verify that you are authorized. You may be required to submit additional documentation to verify your relationship with the person on record.
Access to Colorado birth records is restricted for 100 years after the date of birth to eligible parties as specified by the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). Birth records created over 100 years ago are deemed public information under CORA, which can be requested by submitting an application form with a valid form of identification.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) does not mandate notarization for birth certificate applications, regardless of the ordering method.
Tracking
After you submit your order online through VRO, you can track your application status through the online order portal. Once the application packet is dispatched, first-class mail tracking allows you to monitor its delivery to the CDPHE.
If you are manually mailing your application to the CDPHE, it is advisable to use first-class mail with tracking to ensure delivery confirmation. The CDPHE securely sends certified documents using first-class tracking. Note that the CDPHE is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates. Therefore, it is essential to file a report immediately if your certificate goes missing.
frequently asked questions
Birth certificates are official state-issued documents recognized by both government and private institutions and necessary for a wide range of services. They provide critical information that verifies your identity and citizenship, such as the individual's legal name, date of birth, birthplace, and parents' names. Certified copies of your birth certificate are commonly required for various legal matters, including family affairs, school enrollment, marriage licenses, and passport applications. Additionally, they play a pivotal role in financial matters, such as pensions and Social Security, personal record-keeping for genealogy, and employment verification.
Birth certificates are often useful or required for:
Applying for a driver's license
Applying for a new passport
Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card
Applying for Social Security benefits
Claiming pension or insurance benefits
Genealogy research
Claiming family inheritance
Applying for a new job
Enrolling in school
Enlisting in military
Obtaining a marriage license
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
Mail-in or In-Person Orders: