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Order Mississippi Birth Certificate
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Learn how to order Mississippi Birth Certificate from the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). The state fee for a certified copy is $17.00, with additional copies costing $6.00 each. The current processing time is 7 to 10 business days. Authorized individuals who can order include the certificate holder, immediate family members, and authorized third parties.
You can now order Mississippi birth certificate through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order birth certificate. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your birth certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the MSDH by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Before placing your order costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times.
Requesting a Mississippi birth certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
Before beginning, review MSDH’s list of requirements and eligibility, as they may vary based on your situation. When requesting certified copies of birth records, applicants must show proof of their identity to the MSDH. Check the table below for the required information and documents.
Steps for Homeless Youth and Veterans to Obtain Free Birth Certificate If you are experiencing homelessness and are under 25 years old, you can request your Mississippi birth certificate at no cost. This certificate will be valid for six months and can help you obtain personal documents, proof of identity, and personal matters.
If you are a veteran or a member of a veteran’s family, you may also qualify for a free birth certificate if it is needed for Veterans Administration purposes. To apply, you will need to visit the Mississippi Health Department website. If you choose to go through VRO’s filing service, you will be responsible for state and VRO fees. Make sure to follow the correct procedures to access these benefits.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
Photo Driver’s License | Social Security Card |
If you do not have a primary ID, you may still be able to obtain a Mississippi birth certificate using two secondary forms of identification, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or a pay stub with your name and address. Alternatively, authorized third parties, such as legal representatives or immediate family members, can request the birth certificate on your behalf if they can provide appropriate identification and proof of their relationship with you.
Cost & fees
The costs and fees associated with replacing a birth certificate in Mississippi vary based on the method of application submission (in person, by mail, or online). The MSDH charges a $17.00 fee for a certified copy and a fee of $6.00 for each additional copies. Qualifying veterans and their families as well as homeless youth under 25 can obtain a FREE birth certificate from the Minnesota Department of Health. Review the eligibility above before applying. 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 |
|---|
$17.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
Not offered |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $6.00 |
Processing time
The total time to receive your Mississippi birth certificate replacement depends on how you submit your application and the current wait times defined by the MSDH. Standard processing typically takes 7 to 10 business days. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
|---|
7-10 business days |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not offered |
Authorization
Mississippi birth certificates are confidential and have restricted access for 100 years from the date of birth. If you are the person on record, you can order a certified copy by providing proof of identity. If you are requesting on behalf of the person on record, it's essential to ensure eligibility. Eligible third parties must also provide proof of identity and relationship to the person on record.
For Genealogy purposes - Genealogy must be stated as purpose for certificate. Relationship to applicant must be provided. Plain paper copies are provided for genealogy purposes.
In Mississippi, you generally do not need to notarize your application when requesting a certified copy of your birth certificate.
Tracking
When you place your order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the health department.
When manually mailing your birth certificate request to the MSDH it is optional to include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your application. It's recommended to purchase mail tracking to guarantee timely handling and secure delivery of your vital records. Once your certificate is mailed from the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
Need more than a birth certificate? VitalRecordsOnline helps you order every Mississippi vital record through one streamlined application. Whether you're gathering documents for a passport, name change, estate settlement, or family history project, we handle the paperwork, verify everything is complete before submission, and track your order from start to delivery.
Mississippi Marriage Certificate — Required for name changes, spousal benefits, visa applications, divorce filings, and proof of marital status.
Mississippi Death Certificate — Needed for estate settlement, life insurance claims, pension transfers, Social Security notifications, and closing accounts of a deceased loved one.
Mississippi Divorce Certificate — Proves the legal dissolution of a marriage. Required for remarriage in some states, name restoration, and certain immigration or legal matters.
For use abroad, ask about our apostille service — we authenticate Mississippi vital records for international use in Hague Convention countries.
frequently asked questions
Yes. You can request a Mississippi birth certificate online through the MSDH vital records portal or through an authorized third-party service. You will need to provide the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names along with valid identification.
You may also need to order a Mississippi death certificate through our secure online service.
When verifying a Mississippi birth certificate, you can look for specific features that confirm its authenticity. Official birth certificates issued by the MSDH may vary in appearance depending on the year of issue and display standard features that validate their authenticity. Mississippi birth certificates will display essential information concerning identity and citizenship. Official (certified) birth certificates will include the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature and be printed on secure paper to ensure authenticity. Additionally, they may also have distinct colors and layouts. Note that official (long-form) copies are recognized as legal documents and differ from short-form copies, typically used for commemorative purposes.
• 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.
Learn more about the different types of birth certificates, processing times, and fees in our comprehensive birth certificate resource.
If you lose your birth certificate:
1.Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the MSDH (Mississippi State Department of Health).
a For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the MSDH's vital records office.
b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the MSDH at:
Mississippi Vital Records
P.O. Box 1700 Jackson, MS 39215-1700
c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The MSDH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.
Looking for a different document? Order a Mississippi marriage certificate through our secure online service.
The process for amending a Mississippi birth certificate can vary depending on the specific changes needed. Generally, an addendum is created to correct or change the birth certificate while the original record remains unchanged. This process ensures that accurate information is added without altering the original record.
The process and requirements for amending a birth certificate can vary. Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:
You can obtain an apostille for a Mississippi birth certificate by ordering directly through the Mississippi Secretary of State or online via VRO's Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are only issued by the Mississippi Secretary of State. They are often required when filing a birth certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.
If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille, complete the following steps:
Standard Mailing Address:
Express Mailing Address:
A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.
Need another vital record? Get your Mississippi divorce certificate through our secure online service.
If you're in the Jackson area, you can request a birth certificate in person at the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Vital Records office located at 222 Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39216. Walk-in hours are limited, so calling (601) 576-7981 ahead of time is recommended. You can also order online through VRO for faster, more convenient processing without visiting an office. If you were born in a neighboring state, you'll need to contact that state's vital records office instead—for example, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, or Louisiana.
Same-day birth certificates in Mississippi are only available through the MSDH Vital Records office in Jackson during walk-in hours, and availability depends on staffing and demand. For most people, ordering online is the fastest practical option. VRO offers priority processing so you can receive your certified copy quickly without the trip to Jackson. A birth certificate is often needed urgently for documents like a REAL ID or when verifying your birth certificate number.
The MSDH Public Health District office in Ridgeland is located at 315 Southpark Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39157. While the primary Vital Records office is in Jackson, some county health departments and district offices can assist with birth certificate applications. For the most convenient option, you can order your Mississippi birth certificate online through VRO and skip the office visit entirely. You may also need a certified copy for a passport application or Social Security card renewal.