Get your certified Idaho Birth Certificate

How to Get an Idaho Birth Certificate Without ID

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.

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in Idaho?

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.

Some states include shipping. Some don’t. Create a secondary notice, or omit the statement about shipping being included or not included.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

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.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain an Idaho Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  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.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My Idaho Birth Certificate?

  

  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

  
  

• What Does an Idaho Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Idaho Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Correct or Amend an Idaho Birth Certificate

  

  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.)

• How to Obtain an Idaho Apostille Birth Certificate

  

  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