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How to get a Colorado birth certificate

In Colorado, order a certified birth certificate from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.1 County Local Vital Records offices also issue birth and death certificates.2 The first copy costs $251 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $201. You can order online, by mail, in person or at a local office. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy. The fastest published option is by mail: 21 to 25 business days3.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a Colorado birth certificate costs
  3. How long it takes
  4. Who can order a Colorado birth certificate
  5. ID you need
  6. What the application asks for
  7. Forms
  8. Years held and older records
  9. Special situations
  10. Warnings from the office
  11. The state office
  12. Questions people ask
  13. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online through VitalChek$251 first, $201 each extra copy
+ one extra charge		Up to 30 business days4Card4
Online through GoCertificates$251 first, $201 each extra copyUp to 30 business days4Card4
By mail$253 first, $203 each extra copy
+ one extra charge		21 to 25 business days3Card, check and money order3
In person$251 first, $201 each extra copy––
At a local office$251 first, $201 each extra copy––

Online through VitalChek

Vendor
VitalChek2
Fees
  • First copy $251
  • Each additional copy in the same order $201
  • UPS (VitalChek order) $211
Processing time
Up to 30 business days4
Payment
Card4

Good to know

  • GoCertificates handles birth and death requests only.4

Go to the ordering site2

Online through GoCertificates

Vendor
GoCertificates2
Fees
  • First copy $251
  • Each additional copy in the same order $201
Processing time
Up to 30 business days4
Payment
Card4

Go to the ordering site4

By mail

Run by
VitalChek (the state form sends mail orders to "Vital Record Mail Services" in El Paso, TX, payable to VitalChek)3
Fees
  • First copy $253
  • Each additional copy in the same order $203
  • Total charged $83
  • Other charge $03
Processing time
21 to 25 business days3
Expedited service
$21. UPS Air return shipping only; no faster processing stated3
Payment
Card, check and money order3
Make payable to
VitalChek5
Mail to
Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: Colorado Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79912
6
Appointment
Not required2

Good to know

  • Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: Colorado Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 799133

Open the application or mail instructions2

In person

Run by
Colorado Vital Records Section (state office)7
Fees
  • First copy $251
  • Each additional copy in the same order $201
Office
710 S Ash St (Building C), Denver, CO 80246
7
Hours
Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. Lobby 9:00 am - 12:40 pm and 2:00 pm - 3:40 pm.7
Appointment
Required2

Good to know

  • Temporary office during renovation: 710 S Ash St, Denver, 80246 (Building C).7

Open the official page2

At a local office

Run by
County Local Vital Records offices2
Fees
  • First copy $251
  • Each additional copy in the same order $201

Find a local office2

What a Colorado birth certificate costs

First certified copy
$251
Each additional copy, same order
$201
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee2
Fees in effect since
Jan. 1, 20261

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified copy1Prima facie evidence in all courts and places of the facts stated.8$251
Heirloom birth certificate2Same status as evidence as an original birth certificate.8$351
Notification of No Record9–$251

No-fee copies

  • No fee for certified birth or death copies provided to another state agency, a county department of human or social services, an individual with a referral letter from such a department, or a delegate child support enforcement unit.8

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you orderProcessing timeCounted
Online through VitalChekUp to 30 business days4From receipt
Online through GoCertificatesUp to 30 business days4From receipt
By mail21 to 25 business days3–

Who can order a Colorado birth certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

  • The person named on the record3
  • A parent named on the record3
  • Spouse3
  • Brother or sister3
  • Child3
  • Legal guardian3
  • Stepparents3
    Proof for each of the 5 lines above: Proof of relationship required unless your name is on the birth certificate.3
  • Attorney or legal representative: Legal representatives of any of the above must present proof of client relationship.3
  • Individuals who need a certificate for determination or protection of a personal or property right, or for genealogical purposes10

ID you need

Photo ID
Required9
Accepted ID
  • Alien Registration Receipt/Permanent Resident Card
  • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
  • Jail Temporary Inmate ID: Denver or Pueblo County
  • Colorado Department of Corrections ID card
  • Colorado Department of Human Services Youth Corrections ID
  • Colorado Temporary Driver's License/State ID (must be current)
  • Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • Foreign Passport
  • Government Work ID
  • Job Corps ID Card
  • US Merchant Mariner Card/Book
  • Driver's License/ID Card (DMV - U.S.)
  • Foreign Driver's License/ID Card (issued directly from foreign country's government - not state or province)
  • School, University or College ID Card (must be current - cannot be accepted if expired)
  • Temporary Resident Card
  • U.S. B1/B2 Card with I-94
  • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
  • U.S. Citizenship ID Card (I-197)
  • U.S. Military ID Card
  • U.S. Passport Book or Card11
Without that ID
Two documents from the Secondary list if you have no Primary list document; documents expired more than six months are not accepted. Or ask a spouse, parent, sibling or adult child with acceptable ID to request it (proof of relationship required).11
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID2

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.3

  • Full name of child at time of birth
  • Mother/Parent A name (last name prior to first marriage)
  • Father/Parent B name (last name prior to first marriage)
  • Date of birth
  • City of birth
  • County of birth
  • Sex
  • Whether the person is deceased (copy of death certificate if so)
  • Applicant name, address, relationship, email, phone, reason for request
  • Signature

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1910 to today12
Older records
Colorado State Archives (county birth records)13

Special situations

Delayed registration
Registering a birth for someone older than 1 year is a delayed registration: first request a search, then apply within one year of the Notification of No Record. If approved, one certified copy is issued.9 Details
Delayed registration
Delayed birth registration fee: $50.00, including one copy after the request is accepted for registration.1 Details
Adoption
Application to access original birth certificate prior to adoption: $50.00; additional $20.00.1 Details
Sex marker
See amendments file; sex designation change by form or court order.14 Details
If the person has died
Enclose a copy of the death certificate if the person is deceased.3 Details

Warnings from the office

  • State and Attorney General warned about unapproved third-party sites that charge for the free application: "Some consumers spent 3-4 times the fee charged by the state".15
  • Penalties for obtaining a record under false pretenses, as printed on the forms.3

The state office

Office
Vital Records Section; Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics1
Mailing address
Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: Colorado Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79912
6
Walk-in address
710 S Ash St (Building C), Denver, CO 80246
7
Hours
Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. Phone 8:30 am - 4:15 pm, closed 1:00-2:00 pm. Lobby 9:00 am - 12:40 pm and 2:00 pm - 3:40 pm.7
Appointments
Required2

Questions people ask

How much is a certified Colorado birth certificate?

The first copy costs $25 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $20.1

How long does it take to get a Colorado birth certificate?

Online through VitalChek: up to 30 business days. Online through GoCertificates: up to 30 business days. By mail: 21 to 25 business days.43

Can I order a Colorado birth certificate online?

Yes. Online through VitalChek. Online through GoCertificates.2

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: VitalChek.5

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: Alien Registration Receipt/Permanent Resident Card; Certificate of U.S. Citizenship; Jail Temporary Inmate ID: Denver or Pueblo County; Colorado Department of Corrections ID card; Colorado Department of Human Services Youth Corrections ID; Colorado Temporary Driver's License/State ID (must be current); and the other documents listed above.11

Where are older Colorado birth certificates kept?

Colorado State Archives (county birth records).13

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked between November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Fee schedule, effective 1/1/2026Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated January 1, 2026
  2. Order certificate nowColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated July 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  3. Birth Certificate Application, REV. 10/2024Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated October 1, 2024
  4. Birth, death, and other vital recordsColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated July 29, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  5. Colorado birth certificate mail application (CDPHE)Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 1, 2024
  6. Application for Certified Death Certificate, REV. 12/2025Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated December 1, 2025
  7. Contact Vital RecordsColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated April 23, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  8. Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Title 25 Article 2 (Vital Statistics Act)Colorado General Assembly, Office of Legislative Legal Servicesdated September 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  9. Other topics regarding Vital RecordsColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated April 20, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  10. 5 CCR 1006-1 Vital Statistics, current version effective 04/14/2026Colorado Secretary of State, Code of Colorado Regulationsdated April 14, 2026
  11. ID and Eligibility Requirements, October 2024Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated October 1, 2024
  12. Where to Write for Vital Records: ColoradoCDC National Center for Health Statisticsdated January 23, 2019read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  13. Birth recordsColorado State Archivesdated February 19, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  14. Correct or change a birth certificateColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated February 10, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  15. Press release: obtain birth certificates through approved partnersColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated February 20, 2020read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page