Get your certified North Dakota Birth Certificate

A certified copy of a North Dakota birth certificate costs $15 from the ND Division of Vital Records. Additional copies ordered at the same time are also $15 each.

Ready to order? Get your North Dakota birth certificate with transparent pricing.

Yes. You can request a North Dakota birth certificate online through the ND Division of Vital Records or through an authorized third-party service. You will need the full name on the certificate, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names along with valid identification.

Start now — order your North Dakota birth certificate online in minutes.

North Dakota allows eligible individuals such as a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative to request a birth certificate on someone else’s behalf. You may need to provide a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your relationship and purpose. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted as proof of legal authority.

Learn more about ordering a North Dakota birth certificate on behalf of a family member.

Official birth certificates from the North Dakota Department of Health contain specific features that help validate their authenticity. Although the appearance may vary depending on the year of issue, state guidelines stipulate regulations for birth certificate designs, including a state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature, and is printed on secure paper to prevent forgery.

It's important to note that official (long-form) birth certificates are used for legal purposes and differ from informational (short-form) copies, generally used only for commemorative reasons.

• 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. Apply for a certified replacement copy 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 ND DHHS.
   a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to the ND DHHS's vital records office during your appointment.
   b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to ND DHHS at:
   Department of Health and Human Services
   Vital Records
   600 East Boulevard Ave. Dept. 325
   Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
   c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. ND DHHS will mail the certified copy(s) after processing. </aside>

Amending or correcting a North Dakota birth certificate will have different requirements depending on the specific changes. Parents can correct a child's birth certificate within the first year by simply contacting the ND DHHS office and making the request in writing.

The items that are eligible to be corrected or amended in North Dakota include an individual's:

• First, middle, and last name
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Place of birth (name of hospital or facility, city, county, state)
• Parent's names (first, middle, last)
• Mother's maiden name at birth (mother's last name before first marriage)

An addendum (supplement) is typically created to correct or change the birth certificate after a year has passed. The original record remains unchanged to maintain a clear record of the modifications while preserving the integrity of the initial document.

North Dakota amendments to birth certificates will require:

1. A completed application: Fill out the ND DHHS' Birth Request Form by accurately providing the information as it SHOULD appear on the birth record.
2. Supporting documentation: Submit a copy of a valid ID and any additional documents the ND DHHS office requires to support the requested change.
3. Appropriate fee(s): A cost of $15.00
4. Contact ND DHHS By phone at (701) 328-2360 or email at vitalrec@nd.gov to determine if the change can be made.

To request an apostille for a North Dakota birth certificate, you can order it directly through the North Dakota Secretary of State or through VRO's Express Apostille Service to order online. Apostilles are required when filing a birth certificate with a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention, and the North Dakota Secretary of State solely issues them.

To manually obtain an apostille for a North Dakota birth certificate, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Obtain a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate: Request a certified copy of the birth certificate from the North Dakota Department of Health - Division of Vital Records.
2. Include a Cover Letter: This is a simple letter specifying which country the authenticated birth record is intended to be presented to.
   
   The North Dakota Secretary of State's office does not provide a PDF form for apostille requests on their website. However, we have provided an example letter for you:
   [Your Name]
   [Your Address]
   [City, State ZIP]
   [Date]
   
   North Dakota Office of the Secretary of State
   600 East Boulevard Avenue, Dept 108
   Bismarck ND 58505-0500
   
   Dear Secretary of State,
   
   I am requesting an apostille for the enclosed certified copy of a North Dakota birth certificate. This document will be used in [Country Name].
   
   Please find enclosed:
   1. Original certified copy of the birth certificate
   2. Payment of $15 ($10.00 for the authentication, and $5.00 search fee)
   3. Return Envelope with prepaid express courier service.
   
   If you need any additional information, please contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].
   
   Thank you for your assistance.
   
   Sincerely,
   [Your Name]
   
3. Gather the Cover Letter and Certified Birth Certificate: Include the cover letter for the apostille with the certified birth certificate copy to the North Dakota Secretary of State's office.
4. Include Payment for the Required Fees: The current fees for the apostille are $10.00 per birth certificate plus a $5.00 search fee per record. Include the payment as a check or money order issued to the North Dakota Secretary of State.
5. Provide a Return Envelope: apostille authentications are returned by USPS First-Class mail. If you prefer overnight courier service, include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of your documents.
6. Submit the Application: Mail the application, documents, and fees, or hand deliver by making an appointment before arrival to the following address:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.

Not sure which you need? Order your North Dakota birth certificate and get the right version.

Processing times for a North Dakota birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the North Dakota vital records office generally takes 4 to 12 weeks by mail. In-person requests at the state office or authorized county location are often completed the same day or within a few business days.

When you order online through VitalRecordsOnline, we review your application within 24 hours to catch errors before submission, then forward it to the issuing authority. Most customers receive their certified North Dakota birth certificate in 2 to 3 weeks with standard shipping. Expedited processing and rush shipping options are available at checkout for urgent needs like passport applications or upcoming travel.

If the issuing office returns your request because of missing information, our team contacts you immediately so the correction can be made without starting over. You can track your order status at any time through your account.

Don't wait — start your North Dakota birth certificate order today for faster processing.

Fargo residents can order a North Dakota birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline, by visiting the North Dakota Department of Health in Bismarck, or by submitting a mail request.

In-person requests at the state vital records office are typically processed the same day during business hours. Online orders through VRO are reviewed within 24 hours and most customers receive their certified copy in 2 to 3 weeks.

You may also need to order a North Dakota death certificate through our secure online service.

Same-day North Dakota birth certificates are available for in-person requests at the North Dakota Department of Health in Bismarck. Walk-in visitors can typically receive their certified copy within a few hours during regular business hours.

For those who cannot visit in person, ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline is the next fastest option. We review your application within 24 hours and most orders arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, with expedited shipping available at checkout.

Looking for a different document? Order a North Dakota marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Bismarck residents can obtain a North Dakota birth certificate by ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline, or by submitting a request to the North Dakota Department of Health.

Online ordering through VRO is the most convenient option, letting you complete the process from home with delivery by mail. Expedited processing is available for urgent needs.

Need another vital record? Get your North Dakota divorce certificate through our secure online service.