Get your certified Virginia Birth Certificate
Order your government-issued Virginia birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order Virginia Birth Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order your government-issued Virginia birth certificate from home.
Start your application now.
Order Virginia Birth Certificate
Trusted by +1.5 million customers
Order with confidence
Learn how to order a replacement for your Virginia birth certificate from the VDH-OVR. Current processing times are approximately 2-4 weeks for online orders and 4 weeks for mail-in orders. The state fee for each certified copy is $12.00. Authorized individuals who can request a replacement birth certificate include the person on record, family members, and legal representatives.
You can order a Virginia birth certificate entirely online for immediate processing through VRO or order in person or by mail directly through the Virginia Department of Health - Office of Vital Records (VDH-OVR). Before placing your order, review the costs, eligibility, requirements, and processing times, regardless of the preferred submission method.
Requesting an Virginia birth certificate online with VRO is quick and easy, involving two simple steps:
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
All applicants must provide proof of identity with their application. It's essential to understand the eligibility criteria and requirements defined by the VDH-OVR, as they can vary depending on how you submit the application and who is submitting the request. Review the table below for all the required information documents and information.
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
---|---|
Photo Driver’s License issued by U.S. state, territory, or jurisdiction (unexpired or expired for not more than one year) | U.S. Selective Service Card |
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.
Cost & fees
The total costs associated with replacing a Virginia birth certificate depend on the method of submitting your application (in person, by mail, or online) and the fee of $12.00 (per copy) stipulated by the VDH-OVR. When applying online through VRO's application assistant, the fee starts at $29.00, plus the state fee.
State Fee |
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$12.00 |
Rush Processing |
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Not offered |
Additional Copy |
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1 x $12.00 |
Processing time
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.
Processing Time |
---|
4 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
---|
Not offered |
Authorization
Virginia birth certificates are kept confidential, and access is restricted 100 years after a birth is recorded with the state. The individual named on the record can obtain a certified copy, provided they present valid proof of identity with the application. If requesting on behalf of the individual named in the record, it is essential to confirm eligibility before applying.
A notary is not required to obtain certified copies of Virginia birth certificates. A photocopy of your ID is sufficient to verify your identity.
Tracking
When you order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the Virginia Department of Health Office of Vital Records (VDH-OVR) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the VDH-OVR.
If you choose to manually mail your birth certificate request to the VDH-OVR, it is advised to use first class mail with tracking to ensure its arrival.
The Virginia Department of Health-OVR provides an online tracking system for vital records applications. After submitting your application, you'll receive a tracking ID to check the status anytime on their website. Email updates are also an option. Note: it can take up to four weeks for the status to change.
Once your certificate is mailed from the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
frequently asked questions
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.
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
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.
If you lose your 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:
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:
Physical / Mailing Address: (appointments required for walk-ins)