District of Columbia Vital Records

Processing times differ between the offices, but you should expect to receive your vital records in the District of Columbia between 2 to 4 business weeks.

The District of Columbia Bureau of Vital Statistics has limitations on who can request vital records. It depends on if the request is for a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate. The requestor must be doing it on their behalf. Otherwise, the requester must be part of the close family, some distant family member, or must be the legal representative for the individual of record.

To complete the online application, the DC Department of Health requires applicants to prove their identity by including a photocopy of their ID. It varies depending on the certificate, but commonly, people can use a driver's license or a state photo ID. Check other acceptable IDs per certificate needed:

• District of Columbia Birth Certificate Requirements
• District of Columbia Certificate Requirements
• District of Columbia Death Certificate Requirements

The DC Department of Health’s Vital Records also requires applicants to have their application forms notarized before submitting them. This can be done both online and in person.

Vital Records Online will charge a fee starting from $49 for the assistant service whenever you order birth records, marriage certificates or licenses, divorce certificates, or death records. The District of Columbia will charge a $23.00 fee for each certified copy of a birth certificate, a $10.00 fee for each marriage certificate certified copy, and $18.00 for each death certificate. The same fee will apply to any additional copies.

At the moment, there are limitations to who can request vital records in the District of Columbia. It depends if the request is for a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate. The requestor must be doing it on their own behalf. But the requester can also be part of the immediate family, the person's guardian, or the legal representative for the individual of record.

There are two options to order vital records in the District of Columbia. The first and the simplest way is through Vital Records Online. You will be able to complete your application process online. Afterward, you will receive your birth certificate or the other vital records requested by mail.

The second option is going in person to the public office where the person in the record was born. This process can be time-consuming because of the paperwork required and the long waiting lines typically associated with the Administration.