Get your certified Mississippi Birth Certificate

How to Get a Mississippi Birth Certificate Without ID

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.

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

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.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

In Mississippi, you generally do not need to notarize your application when requesting a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Other FAQs

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

  

  If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, the state of Mississippi did not issue you a birth certificate; your birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State. In this case, you can request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240) from the U.S. Department of State, which serves as evidence of U.S. citizenship and is equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate.

  The CRBA is accepted as proof of birth and citizenship that can be used for legal purposes such as obtaining a passport and social services. If you need additional copies of the CRBA, you can contact the hospital where you were born or order them from the Department of State. Visit the U.S. Department of State's official website for more information on the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

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

  

  For several reasons, having certified copies of your Mississippi birth certificate is crucial. These copies are official documents proving your identity and citizenship, containing your legal name, place, date of birth, and parents' names. They are often required for various legal purposes and are commonly accepted by government and commercial entities as vital documents. From legal proceedings to family matters, certified birth certificates are often necessary for 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 Mississippi Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Mississippi Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Correct or Amend a Mississippi Birth Certificate

  

  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:

  1. A completed amendment application: Affidavit to Amend a Mississippi Certificate of Live Birth, which will require your signature and one from a knowledgeable witness (of the requestor) in the presence of a notary public.
  2. Supporting documentation:
     Physician’s Record
     Current or former physician
     School Record - High School transcript, Elementary school record or record from first school attended.
     US Passport - must have been issued at least 5 years ago
     Old Driver’s License – must have been issued at least 5 years ago
     Military Discharge Record – Form DD214
     Immunization Record – from physician or county health department
     Child’s birth certificate – must show correct name and date of birth or age
  3. Appropriate fee(s): Make money orders, cashier’s checks, or person checks payable to Mississippi Vital Records for $28.00. Additional copies of the amended record are $6.00 each when ordered at the same time for the same person.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Mississippi Birth Certificate

  

  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:

  1. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Obtain and fill out the apostille request form from the Mississippi Secretary of State.
  2. Prepare the Birth Certificate: Ensure you have a certified copy of the birth certificate that you need to be apostilled.
  3. Submit the Documents: Gather the completed apostille request form and the certified birth certificate.
  4. Payment: Prepare the appropriate fee for the apostille service - $5.00 per certificate.
  5. Optional Return Shipping: Include a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope if you'd like to have your documents returned with an express delivery service.
  6. Mail: Submit your documents and payment by mailing them to the Secretary of State's office.
     

  Standard Mailing Address:

  Express Mailing Address: