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Which birth certificate you need for a passport

For a first U.S. passport, a person born in the United States proves citizenship with a certified birth certificate from the city, county or state of birth.1 A hospital birth certificate counts only as secondary evidence.1

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. What the State Department checks
  2. Original, photocopy and what you get back
  3. If there is no birth certificate
  4. Passport fees
  5. States that say which copy works for a passport
  6. Appointment soon? Getting a copy fast
  7. Sources

What the State Department checks

The State Department lists what a qualifying birth certificate must show:2

  • Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
  • Lists applicant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth
  • Lists parent(s)’ full names
  • Has the signature of the city, county, or state registrar
  • Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
  • Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state which issued it

A person born in the U.S. generally must submit a birth certificate showing full name, place and date of birth, parents' full names, signed by the custodian, sealed, and filed within one year of birth.1

A copy that leaves out the parents' names does not meet that list. Many states say on their own pages whether a copy is accepted for passports; the table below gives their words.

Original, photocopy and what you get back

Electronic copies
Not accepted: you cannot submit an electronic or mobile birth certificate.2
What to submit
Submit the citizenship document plus a photocopy (front, and back if printed). Photocopies: clear, white 8.5x11 paper, single-sided. A replacement must carry the issuing office's seal or stamp.2
A second certified copy
If you send a second certified copy instead of a photocopy, the State Department keeps it.2
Getting it back
Citizenship documents are mailed back separately from the passport.2
Documents in another language
Include a professional English translation with the translator's notarized letter on accuracy and competence.2

If there is no birth certificate

Without a qualifying birth certificate, the State Department asks for a delayed birth certificate, or a Letter of No Record together with early public records.2 With a Letter of No Record, send an early public record, or one early public and one early private record with Form DS-10, the Birth Affidavit.2

A Letter of No Record must meet these points:2

  • Be issued by the state
  • Have the applicant’s name and date of birth
  • List the birth years searched
  • Include a statement that no birth certificate is on file

See also delayed birth certificates.

Passport fees

Adult passport book (DS-11)
$1303
Acceptance fee
$353
Expedited service
$603
1-3 day delivery
$22.053

These are federal passport fees, paid separately from the fee for the birth certificate.

States that say which copy works for a passport

StateCopyWhat the state says
CaliforniaCertified Authorized Copy4Can establish identity; meets passport application requirements per CDPH.5
ConnecticutWallet size6Not for passports6
GeorgiaCertified copy (security paper)7Identity, citizenship and relationship, including passports and driver's licenses7
IdahoCertified copy of a birth certificate8Passport, government benefits, school enrolment, military, pension or insurance claims; one of the documents for a Star Card.8
IllinoisBirth Certificate - Long Form9Accepted for all legal use, passport and other governmental agencies9
IndianaStandard Birth Certificate10Driver’s license (real ID), passport, school records, sports, new hire information, SS card replacement, traveling abroad, government benefits10
LouisianaBirth Certificate (long form)11Passports, school enrollment, employment, proof of citizenship, government benefits, insurance12
MississippiCertified copy of birth certificate (long form, raised seal)13Passport, driver's license, school registration, traveling, etc.13
New York CityShort form birth certificate14Most domestic purposes within the U.S., such as a driver's license or U.S. passport15
North DakotaCertified copy (raised-seal paper copy)16For all official purposes, including U.S. Passport, Driver's License, etc.16
OhioAbstract copy (online orders)17All U.S. legal uses, including passports17
PennsylvaniaBirth certificate18Passport, employment, driver's license, Social Security card, school enrollment, REAL ID18
TennesseeBirth Certificate19Passport applications need a certified copy20
TexasLong Form Birth Certificate21Required for U.S. passport, driver's license in most states, dual citizenship21
VirginiaShort Form Birth Certificate22Accepted by all local, state and federal agencies including passport and Social Security offices22
WashingtonBirth certificate23Legal purposes: proving identity, citizenship and relationship; passport, driver license, insurance, school, Social Security.23
West VirginiaCertified copy of a West Virginia birth certificate24School enrollment, employment and passports25
GuamBirth Certificate (certified copy)26Passports, school enrollment, employment, healthcare, government benefits, identification, citizenship and immigration, insurance and legal matters27

Appointment soon? Getting a copy fast

If your appointment is days away, the quickest route is usually a same-day copy in person at the state office or at a local office that issues birth certificates. These are the same-day options states publish:

StateSame-day options the state publishes
AlabamaAt a local office28
Hours: Jefferson County example: Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:15pm, Guy M. Tate Building only29
ArkansasIn person30
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am until 5:00pm; closed state holidays30
CaliforniaAt a local office31
District of ColumbiaIn person32
IowaIn person33
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state-observed holidays33
MaineIn person34
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.34
MarylandIn person35
Hours: By appointment only, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:00 pm36
MassachusettsIn person37
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.38
MinnesotaAt a local office39
MississippiIn person13
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; closed state holidays13
MissouriAt a local office40
Hours: Approximately 8 AM (or earlier) to 5 PM, walk-in, no appointment40
New HampshireIn person41
Hours: Lobby 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.42
New JerseyIn person43
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, excluding State Holidays; arrivals after 3:30 p.m. may only drop off applications44
North CarolinaAt a local office45
OhioIn person17
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., only for central Ohio customers who need an expedited birth record and can pay by credit card17
At a local office17
PennsylvaniaIn person46
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. Closed holidays.46
TennesseeIn person47
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.48
TexasIn person49
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm50
UtahIn person51
Hours: Varies by office (e.g. Salt Lake County windows 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F); last orders 30 minutes before closing52
VirginiaIn person53
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-4:00 PM54
At a local office: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers55
At a local office (VDH health districts)53
WashingtonAt a local office56
West VirginiaIn person57
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM, except State holidays58

Otherwise compare the online and mail times in processing times by state, and add shipping time. Born in New York City? Use the New York City office, not New York State.

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. 22 CFR 51.42 Persons born in the United States applying for a passport for the first timeOffice of the Federal Register / GPO, eCFR: 22 CFR 51.42 (Department of State)dated November 3, 2026
  2. Get Citizenship Evidence for a U.S. PassportU.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)dated July 10, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  3. Passport FeesU.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (travel.state.gov)dated February 10, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  4. Authorized Copy vs. Informational CopyCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 23, 2025
  5. Vital Records FAQsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 22, 2025
  6. Request for a Certified Copy of a Birth Record from the State (Rev 12-21)Connecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Officedated December 1, 2021
  7. FAQs About CertificatesState of Georgia (georgia.gov)
  8. About Birth RecordsIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  9. Birth record application (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2026
  10. Vital Records: BirthsIndiana Department of Health
  11. Section 61Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  12. Vital recordsldh.la.gov/vital-recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  13. Vital recordsmsdh.ms.gov/programs-services/public-health-services/vital-recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
  14. Birth Certificates - NYC HealthNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  15. Premium Mail Service ApplicationNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygienedated April 1, 2025
  16. SFN 8140 Request for Certified Copy of a Birth Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025
  17. How to Order CertificatesOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated December 31, 2024
  18. Birth certificatesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  19. Tennessee Department of Health: FeesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  20. I need a copy of my birth certificate to apply for a passport, what do I need?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  21. Record TypesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  22. Application for Certification of a Birth Record (VS6B-07/26)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated July 1, 2026
  23. Ordering a Birth Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  24. Application for Certified Copy of West Virginia Birth Certificate (birthfm26.pdf)West Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)dated January 9, 2009
  25. Vital RegistrationWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  26. Office of Vital Statistics | DPHSSGuam Department of Public Health and Social Services, Office of Vital Statisticsdated September 15, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  27. Vital Statistics | DPHSS GuamGuam Department of Public Health and Social Servicesdated July 11, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  28. Birth-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated August 21, 2025
  29. Vital recordsjcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/Records/VitalRecords.aspxJefferson County Department of Health
  30. Order birth recordsArkansas Department of Health
  31. Vital recordsocrecorder.com/clerk-services/vital-recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
  32. Vital recordsdchealth.dc.gov/vital-recordsDC Health, Vital Records Division
  33. How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  34. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  35. Processing TimeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  36. DVR Location, Directions and HoursMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  37. Vital records service feesMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  38. Order a birth, marriage, or death certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  39. Vital recordshealth.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.htmlMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 3, 2026
  40. Frequently Asked Questions | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  41. New Hampshire Secretary of State pageNew Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated October 4, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  42. Vital Records Contact InformationNew Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated October 13, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  43. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/non-genealogical-recordsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
  44. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/contact-usNew Jersey Department of Healthdated July 1, 2022
  45. NC Vital Records order pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  46. Public officesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  47. How long will it take?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 23, 2026
  48. Office Hours and LocationTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  49. Texas DSHS birth recordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  50. Mail application for birth record VS 140 1.2026 (PDF)Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Sectiondated January 1, 2026
  51. Get a copy of a certificateUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  52. Utah Local Health Departments (page says Updated May 2021)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  53. OVR Online - How it Works (Application for Certification of a Vital Record)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  54. Vital Record Walk-In LocationsVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated April 16, 2026
  55. Vital Records at DMVVirginia Department of Motor Vehicles
  56. Ordering a Vital Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  57. Certificate RequestsWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  58. Contact InformationWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)