Get your certified Washington D.C. Birth Certificate

An officially certified birth certificate will display distinct features to indicate it is issued by the DCVRD. The appearance of an official birth certificate may differ depending on the year it was issued. It will often include key information to verify a person's identity and the legitimacy of their citizenship at birth. A long-form (official) birth certificate is used for legal purposes, whereas a short-form (informational) copy is usually not. The DCVRD defines specific guidelines for counties that may use unique colors and layouts. In all cases, official birth certificates will generally display features such as:

• 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.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the DCVRD.

a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the DCVRD office during hours of availability.

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

Vital Record Mail Services ATTN: DC Vital Records

P.O. Box 222130 El Paso, TX 79913

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

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

DC Vital Records Division (DCVRD) offers a straightforward process to make legal corrections or amendments to birth certificates. Any changes made to a birth certificate are considered amendments, which are added as addendums to the original record. The original document, however, cannot be modified in any way.

The requirements for making these changes or amendments will depend on the information that needs to be altered.

Correcting or amending vital records usually will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application: For self or one parent listed on birth certificate complete the Amendment of Birth Record (Single Parent) application. For a birth record with two parents listed complete the Amendment for Birth Record (Two Parents) form. Other applications include, Amendment for Adoption, Court Order Amendment, and Gender Marker Amendment. A signature in front of a Notary Public is required on all amendment applications.
2. Supporting documents: Identification verification is required, along with original supporting evidence (like a marriage license, or mother’s birth certificate).
3. Appropriate fee(s): DCVRD charges a nonrefundable processing fee of $23.00, plus $23.00 for each amended birth certificate requested.

An apostille is a type of certification that is required when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government. The birth certificate must be filed initially with the DCVRD to obtain an apostille from the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications in the District of Columbia.

Apostilles for birth certificates in the District of Columbia can be conveniently requested online through VRO, or manually through the Office of Notary Commissions and Authentications in the District of Columbia.

If you are manually submitting your certificate, you will need to provide the following information:

1. A certified copy of your birth certificate(s). (Must be an original from the District of Columbia).
2. $15.00 per document, checks and money orders made payable to "DC Treasurer."
3. Pre-paid, self-addressed return envelope.
4. Submit requests for birth certificate apostilles to the following address:

Standard or express courier (UPS, DHL, FedEx)

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

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