Get your certified Idaho Birth Certificate
Order your government-issued Idaho birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order your government-issued Idaho birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order with confidence
Learn how to order Idaho Birth Certificates from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare - Bureau of Vital Records (DHW-BVR). The current processing time is 2 to 4 weeks; however, Rush Processing is available which reduces the wait time to 1 to 2 weeks. The state fee is $16.00 per certificate. Authorized individuals who can order include the person on record, family members, and authorized third-parties with a court order.
You can order your Idaho birth certificate now through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order birth certificates. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the appropriate health department for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your birth certificate to you. Alternatively, you can order by mail from the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare’s Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (DHW-BVR) by following their instructions. Before you order, make sure to review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and current processing times.
Requesting an Idaho birth certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
Applicants must provide proof of identity to the Idaho DHW-BVR when requesting certified copies of birth records. Accepted forms of identification include state-issued driver's licenses and U.S. passports. IDHW-BVR also accepts notarized applications instead of submitting an ID. The table below displays the information and documents required to order a birth certificate in Idaho.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
---|---|
Driver's License | Social Security Card |
If you do not have a valid government ID, you can submit two forms of accepted secondary identification, as shown in the list above. One must have a signature. If you cannot provide proper identification, you must complete and sign the notary section of the application form in front of a Notary Public. You can view the complete list of acceptable identifications in the table above or at idaho.gov.
Cost & fees
The total costs and fees associated with replacing a birth certificate in Idaho vary based on the method of application submission (in person, by mail, or online). The DHW-BVR charges a $16.00 fee for each certified copy. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus state fees. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering birth certificates
State Fee |
---|
$16.00 |
Rush Processing |
---|
Not offered |
Additional Copy |
---|
1 x $16.00 |
Processing time
The wait times for processing and obtaining a birth certificate can vary. The DHW-BVR’s current estimated processing time is 2 to 4 weeks. Rush processing is 1 to 2 weeks. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
---|
2 to 4 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
---|
1 to 2 weeks |
Some states include shipping. Some don’t. Create a secondary notice, or omit the statement about shipping being included or not included.
Authorization
The certificate holder can request a certified copy of their birth records. They must verify their identity by submitting copies of their ID(s) or obtaining a notary. If you request vital record copies on someone else’s behalf, ensure you are authorized by checking the eligibility requirements for the certificate you order. Third parties, such as family members and legal representatives, can legally ask for vital record copies, providing they have a “direct and tangible interest” in the certificate.
You do not need to obtain a notary for your application if you can provide a copy of your valid, government-issued ID or copies of two secondary forms of identification.
Tracking
When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online while it is being handled. VRO verifies your documents before forwarding them to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare’s Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics (DHW-BVR) for further processing. Additionally, you can request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's journey to the health department for extra verification.
If you manually mail your birth certificate request, purchasing first-class mail with tracking is recommended to know when your application is delivered to the DHW-BVR. Check the Idaho state website for specific mailing instructions.
The DHW-BVR does not provide mail tracking for the delivery of your vital records certificates to your address. Once the records leave the state office, the state is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
frequently asked questions
Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in Idaho; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with the state of Idaho. If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base and your parents were U.S. citizens, your birth should be recorded with the U.S. Department of State. You must contact the U.S. Department of State to request a copy of your Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA of form FS-240).
Note that this is not a birth certificate; it is evidence of U.S. citizenship for individuals born abroad to U.S. citizen parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This document is equivalent to having a U.S. birth certificate. This document is recognized in the U.S. as proof of birth and citizenship and can be used to obtain a passport and apply for social services. If you need additional copies of this document, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred to request a copy of the birth certificate or order them from the Department of State. Learn more about CRBA for more information.Note: The Form FS-545 Certification of Birth Abroad of a Citizen (first issued in 1960), later replaced by Form DS 1350 Certificate of Report of Birth (first issued in 1990), have both been replaced by Form FS 240 as of 2011. However, both Forms FS-545 and DS 1350 are still valid as evidence of US citizenship.
A birth certificate is an important document that provides official information about a person's birth. It confirms your date of birth, legal name, place of birth, and parents' names. This document is widely accepted by government and commercial organizations, serving as proof of identity and citizenship. It is indispensable for various crucial milestones in life, including legal matters, family affairs, school admission, employment, and travel.
Birth certificates are often useful or required for:
Applying for a driver's license
Applying for a new passport
Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card
Applying for Social Security benefits
Claiming pension or insurance benefits
Genealogy research
Claiming family inheritance
Applying for a new job
Enrolling in school
Enlisting in military
Obtaining a marriage license
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.
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.
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:
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:
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