Get your certified Oklahoma Birth Certificate

How to Get an Oklahoma Birth Certificate Without ID

If you cannot present a valid ID, you may submit two secondary forms of identification, including utility bills, bank statements, or pay stubs. Review the table above for a list of approved secondary forms of identification accepted by the OSDH.

Alternatively, an authorized third party, such as a legal representative or family member, may submit a request for the birth certificate on your behalf, provided they can furnish the required documentation and evidence of their legal relationship to you.

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

The standard processing time is approximately 4 weeks. The time it takes to receive a birth certificate replacement in Oklahoma depends on how you apply and the current wait times set by the OSDH. Rush processing is available through OSDH’s website for an additional fee. 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?

A notarization is not required when applying for a replacement Oklahoma birth certificate.

Other FAQs

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

  

  If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, your birth is recorded with the U.S. Department of State rather than the state of Oklahoma. To obtain a record of their birth, you must submit a request for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) to the U.S. Department of State. The CRBA serves as a U.S. birth certificate and verifies U.S. citizenship. CRBAs are accepted as legal documentation that establishes proof of birth and citizenship and are accepted for obtaining a passport and access to social services.

  If you need original copies of the records, you can contact the hospital where the birth occurred.

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

  

  Certified copies of your Oklahoma birth certificate are essential for many life events. It proves your identity and citizenship by showing your name, birthplace, date of birth, and parents' names. Birth certificates are often needed by government agencies and companies for legal matters, family issues, school enrollments, jobs, 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 an Oklahoma Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  Official birth certificates issued by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) display distinct features that validate their authenticity. Although their appearance can vary depending on the year of issue, they will always contain essential details according to state guidelines, such as your legal name at birth, the state seal, and the registrar's signature. They must also be printed on secure paper to prevent unauthorized duplication.

  Note that official (long-form) birth certificates are used for legal purposes and differ from informational (short-form) copies, which are generally used for keepsake 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 Oklahoma 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 the OSDH.
     a. For in-person applications: Make your request online and request pickup at one of the OSDH's three locations.
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the OSDH at:
     ✉️ Vital Records Service
     PO Box 248964 Oklahoma City,
     OK 73124-8964
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The OSDH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend an Oklahoma Birth Certificate

  

  The process for correcting or amending an Oklahoma birth certificate varies depending on the required changes. An addendum (supplement) is created to rectify or alter a birth certificate, ensuring the original record remains unchanged.

  To change a legal name, you need a certified copy of a court order from an appropriate court. Significant changes—such as changing a name or correcting a recorded error regarding sex—typically require a court order. Minor corrections, such as typographical or clerical errors, can often be made with official documentation. Both types of corrections can be supported by documents such as:

  • Early school records
  • Military Records
  • Marriage licenses
  • Medical records
  • Parent birth records

  Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:

  1. A completed Birth Request Form
  2. Supporting documentation: (See above) This varies based on the correction. Contact OSDH for specific instructions. Proof of ID is required with all applications.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): OSDH's fee for amendments is $40.00.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for an Oklahoma Birth Certificate

  

  An apostille for an Oklahoma birth certificate can be ordered directly through the Oklahoma Secretary of State or online via VRO's Express Apostille Service. Apostilles, exclusively issued by the Oklahoma Secretary of State, are often necessary when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

  
  To manually obtain an apostille for an Oklahoma birth certificate, complete the following steps:

  1. Obtain a Certified Copy: First, obtain a certified copy of your Oklahoma birth certificate from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
  2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Fill out the Oklahoma Secretary of State's Apostille Request Form, available on their official website.
  3. Gather Required Documents: Include the certified copy of your birth certificate and any additional required documents specified by the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  4. Include Payment: Include a check or money order for an Apostille fee of $25.00 per document. Personal checks are not accepted; the only accepted forms of payment through mail-in orders are a certified cashier's check, money order, or business check made payable to the Oklahoma Secretary of State. Applications submitted in person can be paid with cash, credit card, or payment methods accepted for mail-in submissions.
  5. Submit Your Request: Mail or deliver your completed Apostille Request Form, certified copy of your birth certificate, and payment to the Oklahoma Secretary of State at the address listed below. You may include a prepaid, self-addressed envelope with your application for overnight or paid couriers. Without a prepaid envelope, documents will be returned via USPS to the address on your cover letter. Please note that USPS delivery does not include tracking information.

  Mailing Address: