Get your certified Idaho Birth Certificate

A certified copy of an Idaho birth certificate costs $16. Each additional copy ordered at the same time also costs $16. Expedited processing and shipping options are available for an additional fee through the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.

You may also need to order a Idaho death certificate through our secure online service.

Yes, you can request an Idaho birth certificate online through an approved third-party service. You can also apply by mail or in person at the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics in Boise. Online ordering is typically the fastest option for receiving your certified copy.

Looking for a different document? Order a Idaho marriage certificate through our secure online service.

In Idaho, eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent or legal guardian, a spouse, an adult child, a grandparent, or a legal representative. If you need to request a certificate on behalf of an eligible person, you may use a notarized Power of Attorney (PoA) from the authorized applicant to obtain the record.

Need another vital record? Get your Idaho divorce certificate through our secure online service.

Idaho birth certificates are not considered public records. Access is restricted to eligible individuals with a direct and tangible interest. The Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics limits access to protect personal information and prevent identity theft.

New to our service? Learn how our service works through our secure online service.

An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the DHW-BVR 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 DHW-BVR 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.

We also offer Idaho death certificate through our secure online service.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1.Submit a certified replacement copy application by mail or online through VRO. Complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the DHW-BVR.

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

Idaho Vital Records

PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0036

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

2. DHW-BVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

Browse our Idaho marriage certificate through our secure online service.

The Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics provides a straightforward process for amending a birth certificate. When a birth certificate is to be changed, an amendment is necessary. The changes are made as addendums because the original document cannot be altered.

The requirements for requesting changes or amendments vary depending on the information that needs to be corrected.

Typically, requests to correct or amend a birth certificate will require the following:

1. A completed amendment application: For minor corrections complete the Corrections Request Form. For court orders, name changes, adoptions and other major changes to a birth record complete the Idaho Vital Records Legal Action Request Form Certificate Changes and Delayed Record Filing Birth.
2. Supporting documentation: A copy of your identification or two forms of secondary identification is required with the application and a signed written request for correction providing the following information:
   The type of certificate
   Name(s) on the certificate
   Date of event
   Place of event
   The mother’s full maiden name and father’s full name
   Your relationship to the person(s) named on the certificate
   Your return address
   Your daytime telephone number
3. Appropriate fee(s): There is a required fee of $20.00 for corrections. The exchange fee is $5.00 for an old birth record exchanged for a new amended copy, or $16.00 for a new copy of the birth record. If you request Rush Processing, there is an additional fee of $25.00.
4. A notarization of the signature on the application (only required if you cannot submit copies of primary or secondary forms of identification. Alternatively, an immediate family member with a current ID from the approved list can request it for you. Please note: proof of relationship may be required.)

Apostilles are necessary when filing birth certificates with foreign governments. These are issued for birth records initially registered with the Department of Health and Welfare.

Apostilles for Idaho birth records can be obtained online through VRO or the Idaho Secretary of State’s office.

Simultaneous Order Request

You can order a new birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Records, and request they forward it to the Secretary of State for an additional $10 special handling fee.

SPECIAL HANDLING FEE FOR APOSTILLE Prior to VRO sending your certificate and completed apostille application to the Idaho Secretary of State, you must first visit healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/vitalrecords or call 208-334-5980 for instructions. Make your SIGNED check or money order payable to "Idaho Vital Records". All Vital Records fees may be paid with ONE check or money order. Overpayments of less than $10.00 are not refunded unless requested in writing.

Alternatively, you can manually send your certificate to the Secretary of State’s Office.

If you are manually sending your birth certificates to the Secretary of State, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. The birth certificate you need to be apostilled. The document must be a certified copy.
2. A payment of $10.00 per document you wish to have apostilled. Checks or money orders must be made payable to the “Secretary of State” (you can also provide credit card information).
3. A completed Apostille Request Form. You must specify the country for which you need the apostille.

Requests for birth certificate apostilles can be submitted to the DHW-BVR Secretary of State’s Office at the following addresses:

For Express courier (UPS, DHL, or FedEx)

Secretary of State’s Office,
Attn: Notary and Apostille Division,

450 N 4th Street, Boise ID 83702

For standard mail:

Secretary of State’s Office,
Attn: Notary Department

PO Box 83720, Boise ID 83720-0080

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

You may also need to order a Idaho death certificate through our secure online service.

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

Looking for a different document? Order a Idaho marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Boise residents can order an Idaho birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline, by visiting the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics in Boise, or by submitting a mail request.

In-person requests at the state vital records office at 450 W State Street, Boise, are typically processed the same day during business hours. Online orders through VRO are reviewed within 24 hours and most customers receive their certified copy in 2 to 3 weeks.

You may also need to order an Idaho death certificate through our secure online service.

Same-day Idaho birth certificates are available for in-person requests at the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics in Boise. Walk-in visitors can typically receive their certified copy within a few hours during regular business hours.

For those who cannot visit in person, ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline is the next fastest option. We review your application within 24 hours and most orders arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, with expedited shipping available at checkout.

Looking for a different document? Order an Idaho marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Idaho Falls and eastern Idaho residents can obtain an Idaho birth certificate by ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline, or by submitting a request to the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics.

The Eastern Idaho Public Health office may also assist with vital records requests. Online ordering through VRO is the most convenient option, letting you complete the process from home with delivery by mail.

Need another vital record? Get your Idaho divorce certificate through our secure online service.