Get your certified Virginia Birth Certificate

How to Get a Virginia Birth Certificate Without ID

If you do not possess a primary form of identification, secondary ID forms are accepted for verification. Common secondary documents include an expired driver's license, health insurance, or a Medicaid card. Review the table above for a complete list of accepted secondary forms of identification. Alternatively, an authorized third party can request a certified copy of your birth certificate on your behalf, considering they provide the required documents, proof of identity, and relationship to you.

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

The current processing time set by the VDH-OVR is approximately 2-4 weeks; however, the application submission method can affect the total time it takes to receive a certified copy of a Virginia birth certificate.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

A notary is not required to obtain certified copies of Virginia birth certificates. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity.

Other FAQs

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

  

  If you were born on a US military base overseas, your birth was not recorded with the state of Virginia but is documented through the US Department of State. In this case, you must request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) by completing the form FS-240. This document serves as the equivalent of an official record of birth. A CRBA is recognized as evidence of US citizenship and can be used for legal purposes, such as applying for a US passport and accessing social services. You can visit the US Department of State's Consular Report of Birth Abroad for more detailed information on the process.

  If you want to secure original copies of your birth record, you may contact the hospital directly in the country where you were born for original copies. These documents generally are not recognized by the United States government as official documents for citizenship.

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

  

  A certified Virginia birth certificate is essential for major life events. It confirms your legal name, birthplace, birthdate, and parents’ names. You’ll need it for identity verification and citizenship proof. Certified copies are widely recognized by governmental and commercial institutions and are required for various legal proceedings, settling family matters, enrollment in educational institutions, military, employment, and travel purposes.

  
  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 Virginia Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  Official birth certificates issued by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) display distinct features to ensure authenticity. Depending on the year of issuance, they might display variations in appearance. Still, they will adhere to state guidelines, incorporating standard elements such as the state seal, the individual's name, the registrar's signature, and the issued on secure paper to prevent unauthorized duplication.

  Note that official (long-form) birth certificates serve legal purposes, whereas informational (short-form) copies are intended for personal or commemorative uses.

  • 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 Virginia Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificate:

  1. Submit an application 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-OVR.
     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-OVR at:
     VDH, Office of Vital Records
     P.O. Box 1000
     Richmond, Virginia
     23218-1000
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The VDH-OVR will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a Virginia Birth Certificate

  

  The process for correcting or amending a Virginia birth certificate may vary depending on the specific changes required. An addendum is created to address corrections or alterations while ensuring the original record remains unaltered. This process preserves the integrity of the initial document while allowing for necessary updates to be officially documented.

  Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:

  1. A completed amendment application,
  2. Supporting documentation,
  3. Appropriate fee(s)

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a Virginia Birth Certificate

  

  To obtain an apostille for a Virginia birth certificate, individuals can order the service directly through the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth or online via VRO's Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are explicitly issued by the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth and are often necessary when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government that is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention.

  If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille, complete the following steps:

  1. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Obtain and fill out the Apostille Request Form from the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth.
  2. Prepare the Birth Certificate: Ensure you have a certified copy of the Virginia birth certificate that needs the apostille.
  3. Include Payment: Prepare a check or money order for the required fee of $10.00, issued to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
  4. Submit the Request: Mail or hand-deliver the completed Apostille Request Form, the certified birth certificate, and the required fee to the following address:

  Physical / Mailing Address: (appointments required for walk-ins)