Get Your Certified Virginia Birth Certificate

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

Ready to order certified copies? Start your Virginia birth certificate application today.

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.

For answers to common questions about birth certificate types, replacement costs, and processing times, visit our birth certificate FAQ and resource page.

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.

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)

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)

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original Virginia 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 Virginia 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.

Read our detailed guide on long form vs short form birth certificates. Order your Virginia birth certificate here.

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

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

Richmond residents can obtain Virginia birth certificates through the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records located in downtown Richmond. The office accepts walk-in requests during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

As the state capital, Richmond is home to the main vital records office, making it one of the most convenient locations for in-person requests. However, walk-in processing still takes several business days, so online ordering is often faster for Richmond-area residents.

Save time — order your Virginia birth certificate online from home. You may also need your birth certificate for a Virginia REAL ID or passport application.

Virginia does not offer same-day birth certificate processing through the Division of Vital Records. Walk-in requests at the Richmond office typically take 5 to 10 business days, and mail-in requests may take longer depending on volume.

If you need your Virginia birth certificate urgently, third-party services can help expedite the process. While same-day turnaround is not available through the state, expedited processing options can significantly reduce your wait time.

Start your expedited Virginia birth certificate order today. A certified copy may be required for REAL ID, passport, or Social Security purposes.

Virginia Beach residents can request birth certificates through the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health or the Virginia Division of Vital Records in Richmond. Local health departments can assist with requests but may have limited hours and longer processing times.

For Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads residents, ordering online is typically the most convenient option, as it eliminates the need to travel to Richmond or wait in line at the local health department.

Skip the trip — order your Virginia birth certificate online from home. Your certified copy can be used for REAL ID and passport applications.