Get your certified Kansas Birth Certificate

How to Get a Kansas Birth Certificate Without ID

If you do not have a valid, government-issued ID, you can provide two secondary forms of identification. The approved secondary IDs are described in the table above.

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

The current processing time for birth certificate replacements defined by the Kansas DHE-OVS is 7 to 10 days, but may vary. Refer to the table below for the current delivery and processing timelines. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

The KDHE-OVS generally does not require applicants to obtain a notarized application when requesting certified copies of Kansas birth certificates. Notarizations are typically only needed when amending birth certificates.

Other FAQs

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

  

  Individuals born on an overseas military base are not considered to have been born in Kansas; therefore, there is no birth certificate on record with Kansas. 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 or 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.

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

  

  AA Kansas birth certificate is a vital document required for several of life's most significant events. It is an official record containing essential details about an individual's birth. This document is universally recognized and accepted by all government and commercial entities. It verifies a person's legal name, place of birth, parent’s name, and date of birth. These details are indispensable for various events, including legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, 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 a Kansas Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  An officially certified birth certificate will have distinct features to indicate the KDHE-OVS 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 for legal purposes, whereas a short-form informational copy is usually not. The KDHE-OVS 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 Kansas Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1.Submit a certified replacement copy application 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 KDHE-OVS.

  a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the KDHE-OVS 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 KDHE-OVS at:

  Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Vital Statistics

  1000 SW Jackson, Suite 120 Topeka, KS 66612-2221

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

  2. KDHE-OVS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a Kansas Birth Certificate

  

  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment – Office of Vital Statistics (KDHE-OVS) offers a simple procedure for legally correcting or amending birth certificates. The forms vary based on the information that requires modification. When any amendments are made to birth certificates, such as a change in name or birthdate, an addendum is added to the initial document. The original document remains unaltered.

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

  1. A completed amendment application: The KDHE Amendment Request Form; signatures must be notarized.
  2. Supporting documentation: Requirements depend on the type of certificate, the item requested for amendment, and whether the record applies to a minor or an adult. All supporting documents must be original certified records; KDHE does not accept photocopies.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): The fee to amend a Kansas birth certificate is $20.00, and an additional $20.00 for a certified copy of the amended birth certificate.

  If you would like to verify the information needed, contact the Amendment Unit at 785-296-1434.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Kansas Birth Certificate

  

  To obtain an apostille for a Kansas birth certificate, you can submit a request through VRO or directly through the Secretary of State. An apostille is required when submitting a copy of a vital record to a foreign government.
  You can obtain an apostille for Kansas birth certificates through the Secretary of State or VRO’s Apostille Express Service.

  If you choose to make your request manually, you will need to provide the following information:

  1. Completed Request for Document Certification.
  2. The certified copy of your birth certificate.
  3. Payment of $7.50 for each document.
  4. Submit the application, documents, and payment to the following address:

  For Express or Standard Courier (UPS, DHL, or FedEx):