Get Your Certified Vermont Birth Certificate

If the individual named on the birth certificate was born overseas on a US military base, there is no record of birth in the state of Vermont. Individuals in this situation must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). A CRBA is equivalent to a state-issued birth record to prove US citizenship and is recognized as an official document for legal purposes issued by the US Department of State. The CRBA serves various purposes, including proof of birth and citizenship, and is often required for passport applications and access to social services.

To find more information or request a CRBA, refer to the US Department of State website.

If you need to obtain original copies of a birth certificate, you may contact the hospital in the country where the birth occurred.

Certified copies of your Vermont birth certificate are vital for some of life's most significant events. Accredited birth records provide proof of citizenship and contain your legal name, place, date of birth, and parent’s names.

Certified birth records are often necessary for legal proceedings, settling family-related matters, school and military enrollment, employment verification, and travel purposes, and are recognized by both government and commercial entities.

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

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

Not sure which type of birth certificate you need? Our birth certificate guide explains the differences between certified copies, long form, and short form certificates.

Certified copies of birth certificates issued by the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) will display unique features to ensure authenticity. While appearance can vary depending on the year of issuance, they will adhere to state guidelines by featuring elements such as the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature, printed on secure paper to prevent counterfeit copies.

Note: while official long-form birth certificates serve legal purposes, informational (short-form) copies are generally intended for personal or commemorative use.

• 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.

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 VDH.
   a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a county health department during hours of operation.
   b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the VDH at:
   Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records
   280 State Drive Waterbury,
   VT 05671-8370
   c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The VDH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The process for correcting or amending a birth certificate in Vermont varies depending on the specific alterations required. Addendums are created to amend the original birth certificate. Note that the original record remains unaltered during this process.

Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:

1. A completed amendment application: Application to Correct or Amend a Vermont Birth Certificate form.
2. Supporting documentation:
   a. Completions or changes to the child’s name more than 6 months after the date of birth require a certified copy of a court order.
   b. To add the other parent to the birth certificate, a Voluntary Acknowledgement of Parentage (VAP) form, or a court order is required.
3. Appropriate fee(s): To order a copy of the amended certified birth record, the cost is $10.00 for each certificate and $12.00 for each copy requested online. Amendment application fees may vary based on the correction being requested. Contact VDH for associated fees.

To obtain an apostille for a Vermont birth certificate, you can initiate the process by ordering directly through the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA) or online through VRO's Express Apostille Service.

Note that apostilles are necessary when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government that is part of the 1961 Hague Convention and is only issued by the Vermont VSARA.

To manually submit a request for an apostille, complete the following steps:

1. Complete the Apostille Application Form: Obtain and complete the Apostille request form from the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA).
2. Gather Required Documents: Collect the necessary documents, including the original or certified copy of the Vermont birth certificate. A prepaid shipping envelope is suggested to track your documents.
3. Pay the Required Fee: Include a check or money order for the apostille fee of $10.00 per document, payable to the VT Secretary of State.
4. Submit Your Documents: Mail or deliver your completed application and documents to the VSARA office at the following address:

Mailing Address:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont birth certificate and get the right version.

Processing times for a Vermont birth certificate depend on how you order and which delivery speed you choose. Standard government processing through the Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont birth certificate order today for faster processing.

Burlington residents can order a Vermont birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline, by visiting the Vermont Department of Health in Burlington, 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 Vermont death certificate through our secure online service.

Same-day Vermont birth certificates are available for in-person requests at the Vermont Department of Health in Burlington. 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 Vermont marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Montpelier residents can obtain a Vermont birth certificate by ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline, or by submitting a request to the Vermont 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 Vermont divorce certificate through our secure online service.