Get your certified Georgia Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a Georgia birth certificate costs $25 through the Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $5 each. Online orders through authorized providers may include convenience and processing fees.

Ready to order? Start your Georgia birth certificate application today.

Yes. You can order a Georgia birth certificate online through the Georgia Department of Public Health or authorized third-party providers. Online orders require a credit or debit card. You will need the full name on the certificate, date of birth, and place of birth in Georgia.

Order your Georgia birth certificate online now.

Yes. Georgia allows authorized individuals to request a birth certificate on someone else's behalf. Eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, legal guardian, spouse, adult child, grandparent, or legal representative. Valid photo ID and proof of relationship are required. You may also authorize a representative through a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) to apply on your behalf.

Need to request a certificate for a family member? Begin the application process here.

An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the DPH-SOVR issues it. 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 legally, whereas a short-form (informational) copy is usually not. The DPH-SOVR 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.

Need a certified copy? Order your Georgia birth certificate through our secure portal.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1.Submit an application 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 DPH-SOVR.

a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the DPH-SOVR 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 DPH-SOVR at:

Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records

1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30349

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

2. DPH-SOVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Replace your lost certificate today — start your application. You may also need your birth certificate for a REAL ID or passport application.

Individuals can follow a simple procedure provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health��State Office of Vital Records (DPH-SOVR) to correct or amend birth certificates. The process and forms required vary depending on the information needing correction.

Typically, requests to correct or amend vital records will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application;
2. Supporting documentation;
3. Appropriate fee(s);
4. A notarization of the signature on the application

Learn more about updating your name on vital records or start your Georgia birth certificate application.

An apostille is necessary when a birth certificate is submitted to a foreign government. You can obtain an apostille to certify that birth certificates were initially filed with the DPH-SOVR. You can secure apostilles for Georgia birth certificates digitally via VRO or manually through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority.

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

1. Obtain a Certified Copy of your Georgia Birth Certificate: First, you need a certified copy of the birth certificate issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health - State Office of Vital Records.
2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Fill out the apostille request form available on the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) website.
3. Include a cover letter specifying the destination country and contact details. See the example request letter.
4. Provide a pre-paid, self-addressed FedEx/UPS return airbill (computer-generated only, not handwritten).
5. Prepare Required Documents: Gather the certified birth certificate and the completed apostille request form.
6. Include Payment: Pay the required fee of $3.00 per certified vital record document. Ensure the check or money order is made payable to GSCCCA. Note that Georgia-issued vital records are never notarized.
7. Submit Your Request: Mail or deliver the documents to the GSCCCA office with the appropriate fee. The documents, payment, and application must be submitted to the GSCCCA at the following address:

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

Read our detailed guide on long form vs short form birth certificates. Order your Georgia birth certificate here.

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

Ready to get started? Order your Georgia birth certificate online for fast, reliable service.

Atlanta residents can obtain Georgia birth certificates through the Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. The office is located on Peachtree Street and accepts walk-in requests during business hours.

For those born in Fulton County or elsewhere in Georgia, the state vital records office processes all requests regardless of the county of birth. Atlanta-area residents can also order by mail or online, which is often faster than visiting in person.

Order from home — start your Georgia birth certificate application today. You may also need your birth certificate for a Georgia REAL ID or passport application.

Georgia does not offer same-day birth certificate processing through the state vital records office. Walk-in requests at the Atlanta office typically take 5 to 10 business days, and mail-in requests may take longer.

If you need your Georgia birth certificate urgently, third-party services can help expedite the process. While same-day turnaround is not available through the state, expedited processing options can significantly reduce your wait time.

Start your expedited Georgia birth certificate order today. A certified copy may be required for REAL ID, passport, or Social Security purposes.

Savannah residents can request Georgia birth certificates through the Chatham County Health Department or by contacting the state Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. The state office processes all Georgia birth certificate requests regardless of where in the state you were born.

For Savannah and coastal Georgia residents, ordering online is typically the most convenient option, as it eliminates the need to visit the Atlanta office in person or wait for mail-in processing.

Skip the wait — order your Georgia birth certificate online from home. Your certified copy can be used for REAL ID and passport applications.

If a birth in Georgia was never registered — or was registered more than one year after the birth — you can file for a delayed birth registration through the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH). This process is sometimes called registering an "unregistered birth."

Requirements for a Delayed Birth Certificate in Georgia:

You must submit a notarized application along with supporting documents that prove the birth occurred in Georgia. Acceptable evidence includes hospital records, baptismal certificates, census records, school records, or affidavits from people with knowledge of the birth. At least two documents are typically required, and one must be dated within the first five years of life.

How to File:

Submit your application and documents to the Georgia DPH State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. There is a filing fee, and the review process can take several weeks. Once approved, a delayed birth certificate is issued and added to the state's vital records system.

A delayed birth certificate carries the same legal weight as a standard one and can be used for a Real ID, passport applications, and other identity verification purposes.

Need help ordering a certified copy of your Georgia birth certificate? Order online through VitalRecordsOnline.com for fast, secure processing.