Get your certified North Dakota Birth Certificate

How to Get a North Dakota Birth Certificate Without ID?

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.

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

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.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

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.

Other FAQs

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

  

  If you were born on a U.S. military base overseas, your birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State; therefore, a birth record would not exist with the state of North Dakota. You must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, form FS-240) from the U.S. Department of State. The CRBA is evidence of U.S. citizenship, equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate. It can be used for legal purposes such as proving birth and citizenship, applying for a passport, or accessing social services.

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

  

  Certified copies of your birth certificate are critical documents for life's most significant affairs. Birth certificates prove your legal name, place, date of birth, and parents' names, making them crucial for establishing identity and citizenship. Additionally, they are widely accepted by government and commercial entities and are often required for 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 North Dakota Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen North Dakota Birth Certificate

  

  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>

• How to Correct or Amend a North Dakota 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:

  • 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 [email protected] to determine if the change can be made.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a North Dakota Birth Certificate

  

  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: