How to Order a Birth Certificate Online

Ordering a certified copy of your birth certificate online is faster and easier than ever. Vital Records Online helps you request your certified birth certificate from any U.S. state without leaving your home — and in states where we are an approved vendor, we file your application electronically, directly into the state’s system.

This guide walks you through exactly how the process works, what to expect based on the state where you were born, and how to receive your certificate as quickly as possible.

How Vital Records Online Helps You Get a Birth Certificate

Vital Records Online is an online vital records assistance service. We simplify the request process by guiding you through the application, verifying your documents, and submitting everything to the correct vital records office. Depending on where you were born, we offer two pathways:

1. State-Approved Electronic Filing (California & Montana)

VRO is an approved vendor in California and Montana. In these states, we file applications electronically, directly into the state’s vital records system — no mailing required from you.

• Montana: Because we file electronically as an approved vendor, the state can process applications in only a few business days. Customers can add a 2-Day Air return envelope to receive their certified copy even faster.
• California: VRO files your application directly into California’s vital records system using our unique VRO vendor ID (VROXXXXXX) — the same ID the state uses to track our submissions. This pathway is faster than traditional mail requests, though actual turnaround still depends on the California Department of Public Health’s current workload.

2. Assisted Online Filing (All Other States)

For the remaining 48 states, VRO prepares your complete application packet — fully filled out, reviewed by our team, and ready to submit to your state’s vital records office. You receive a packet with a prepaid return label so your certified copy comes back directly to you. You can also choose expedited handling with a 2-Day Air return envelope to cut down on delivery time.

Step 1 — Fill Out Your Online Application

Start at vitalrecordsonline.com/birth-certificate and click the button to request a certified copy of a birth certificate. Our online form collects everything the state requires, including:

• The full name at birth of the person named on the certificate (including any later name changes through marriage or court order)
• Date and place of birth (city, county, and state)
• Both parents’ full legal names, including the mother’s maiden name
• Your relationship to the person on the certificate and your reason for requesting it
• A mailing address for delivery and your contact email and phone number

For help figuring out which documents your state requires, see our guide on what documents are required for a birth certificate replacement.

Step 2 — Choose Standard or Expedited Handling

At checkout, you choose how quickly you want your certified copy to arrive:

• Standard handling — Included with every order. Your application is reviewed, filed or packaged, and sent to the state using standard shipping.
• Expedited handling with 2-Day Air return envelope — For customers who need their certified birth certificate fast. We prioritize your application and include a prepaid 2-Day Air return envelope so the state can send your certified copy back to you quickly. This is the fastest option available.

In Montana, where we are an approved electronic filer, expedited handling combined with 2-Day Air return often results in certified copies arriving within roughly a week. In California, your application is filed electronically regardless of handling speed, and expedited return shipping shortens the delivery leg once the state has produced the certificate.

Step 3 — Upload Your ID and Complete Your Order

After selecting your handling option, you will:

1. Enter payment information. VRO accepts all major credit and debit cards. We charge a service fee plus the state’s required fee for the certified copy.
2. Sign your application digitally using your mouse or touchscreen.
3. Upload a clear photocopy of the front and back of your government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or state ID).

Our team reviews every order before submission to catch mistakes that would cause the state to reject your request — a leading cause of delay. Once your application is approved internally, we file it (in CA or MT) or ship your packet (in all other states).

What Happens Next (by State)

California

VRO submits your application electronically through our approved vendor channel. The California Department of Public Health processes it through their system using our VRO vendor ID (VROXXXXXX). This is faster than mailing a paper request, though actual timing depends on the state’s current workload. See our California birth certificate page for current processing estimates.

Montana

As an approved vendor, VRO files your application electronically with the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services. Montana typically processes approved-vendor requests within just a few business days. Add a 2-Day Air return envelope at checkout for the fastest possible delivery. See our Montana birth certificate page for details.

All Other States

VRO prepares your complete application packet with all required documents, a prepaid USPS return label, and a cover sheet instructing the state where to mail your certified copy. You then sign and mail the package, and the state ships the certified copy directly back to you. Processing times vary by state — see our state-by-state processing times guide for estimates.

Tracking Your Order

You can check the status of your application anytime by logging in at vitalrecordsonline.com/support/order. Our support team is available if you need to update information or have questions about your order.

Why Order Through VRO?

• State-approved electronic filing in California and Montana — faster than mail, direct into state systems
• Expedited handling with 2-Day Air return envelope available in all 50 states
• Document review before submission to prevent rejection delays
• Online ordering 24/7/365 from anywhere in the world
• Trained support agents available to answer questions and track your application
• Secure handling of your personal information and documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Does VRO issue the birth certificate directly?

No. Only the state vital records office issues certified copies of birth certificates. VRO prepares and submits your application, and in California and Montana files it electronically directly to the state. The state then issues your certified copy and ships it to you.

How fast can I get my birth certificate?

The fastest options are in our approved states. Montana can produce certificates in a few business days through electronic filing, and combined with a 2-Day Air return envelope, your certified copy can arrive within roughly a week. California is also faster than mail but depends on state workload. For other states, expedited handling with 2-Day Air shipping is the fastest option.

What if I need a birth certificate from a state I don’t live in?

Birth certificates must be requested from the state where you were born, not where you currently live. VRO makes out-of-state requests simple — you complete everything online and the certified copy is mailed to your current address.

Can someone else order a birth certificate for me?

Yes, in most cases. Parents, legal guardians, spouses, and certain other family members can typically request a birth certificate on another person’s behalf. See our guide on requesting a birth certificate on someone else’s behalf for state-specific rules.

Ready to Order Your Birth Certificate?

Start your application at vitalrecordsonline.com/birth-certificate. Our system is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and your order can be completed in about six minutes.

Related FAQs

• How Long Does it Take to Get a Birth Certificate?
• What Documents are Required for Birth Certificate Replacement?
• I Lost My Birth Certificate, What Should I Do?
• How to Get a Birth Certificate Fast: Rush and Expedited Options