Get a certified Colorado Death Certificate

How to Get a Birth Certificate Without ID

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.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Colorado?

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.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) does not mandate notarization for birth certificate applications, regardless of the ordering method.

Other FAQs

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of a Colorado Birth Certificate?

  

  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

  
  

• What Does a Colorado Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Colorado Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Correct or Amend a Colorado Birth Certificate

  

  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.

  
  

  
  

• How to Get an Apostille for a Colorado Birth Certificate

  

  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: