Order your government-issued North Dakota birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order North Dakota Birth Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order with confidence
Learn how to request a copy of a North Dakota birth certificate from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Unit (ND DHHS). The current processing time is 3 to 5 business days. Expedited next-business-day processing is available for an additional $15.00 - $30.00 express delivery fee. The birth certificate replacement fee is $15.00 per certified copy. Individuals authorized to request birth certificate include the person on record, the parents listed on the record, and their legal representatives.
You can now order North Dakota 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 North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Unit (ND DHHS) 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 North Dakota DHHS by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Confirming the cost, eligibility, requirements, and processing times before beginning the application process is essential to ensure your application is accepted.
Requesting a North Dakota birth certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
To order a birth certificate in North Dakota, all applicants—whether they are the individual named on the record or eligible third parties—must provide proof of identity when submitting their application. Acceptable forms of identification include a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or a passport. A parent listed on the record must submit proof of their identity, but any other third party will need legal documentation proving their authorization. Review the table below to ensure you have all the necessary information and documents before starting your application.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
Utility Bill | Bank Statement |
If you do not have a valid ID, you can use two secondary forms of identification as detailed in the table above. Acceptable documents include a bank statement, utility bill, or Social Security card. The ND DHHS also accepts notarized applications instead of identification documents. Additionally, an authorized third party can request your birth certificate on your behalf, as long as they have the necessary documentation and authorization to do so.
Cost & fees
The total cost to replace a birth certificate in North Dakota varies based on how you submit your application—whether in person, by mail, or online—and the fees set by the ND DHHS. The state fee for a certified copy of a birth record is $15.00 per copy. 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 |
|---|
$15.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
Not offered |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $15.00 |
Processing time
The current processing time for standard birth certificate orders is 3 to 5 business days, while expedited orders are processed the following day. Expedited processing is included with all orders that request expedited return delivery, ranging from $1.00 - $30.00, depending on the carrier selected. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.
Processing Time |
|---|
3-5 business days |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not offered |
Authorization
Only the person listed on the record and authorized individuals can request certified copies of North Dakota birth certificates. Birth records are considered confidential, with restricted access for 125 years after the date of birth is recorded. If you are requesting a certificate for a person who is not deceased and you are not a parent listed on the record, you will need a court order or a notarized letter of authorization. Before applying for a certified replacement, ensure you are eligible to submit a request on behalf of the individual listed on the birth certificate.
Authorized People for Birth Records of Deceased Individuals:
North Dakota generally does not require notarization for your application to replace a birth certificate. However, if you submit your application without providing a valid ID or two forms of secondary ID, you cannot notarize your application. Additionally, if you are applying as a third party and you are not a parent listed on the record and do not have a court order, you will need a notarized letter of authorization.
Tracking
When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online while we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before forwarding them to North Dakota Department of Health Vital Records office for further processing. Additionally, you can request mail tracking with VRO to monitor your application's arrival to the NDDOH for further confirmation.
If you manually mail your birth certificate request, purchasing first-class mail with tracking is recommended to to know when your application is delivered to the NDDOH. Check the state website for specific mailing instructions.
NDDOH does not provide mail tracking for delivering your vital records certificates to your address. Once the records leave the state office, the state is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
Need more than a birth certificate? VitalRecordsOnline helps you order every North Dakota 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.
North Dakota Marriage Certificate — Required for name changes, spousal benefits, visa applications, divorce filings, and proof of marital status.
North Dakota Death Certificate — Needed for estate settlement, life insurance claims, pension transfers, Social Security notifications, and closing accounts of a deceased loved one.
North Dakota 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 North Dakota vital records for international use in Hague Convention countries.
frequently asked questions
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.