Get your certified Vermont Birth Certificate

How to Get a Vermont Birth Certificate Without ID

If you don't have a valid primary ID, you can submit two forms of secondary identification accepted by the VDH. Examples of approved secondary ID include an employee ID card, utility bill, bank statement, school ID card, and Medicare card. These two documents together must show your current address and signature. Alternatively, an authorized third party, such as an immediate family member, can make a request on your behalf.

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

Standard processing takes approximately 10 to 20 days; however, the total time to receive a replacement Vermont birth certificate will vary depending on how you apply and the processing times defined by the VDH. Expedited shipping is available as an additional service. 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 notary of your application is not required to obtain certified copies of Vermont birth certificates. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity.

Other FAQs

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

  

  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.

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

  

  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

• What Does a Vermont Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  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.

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Vermont 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 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.

• How to Correct or Amend a Vermont Birth Certificate

  

  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.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Vermont Birth Certificate

  

  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: