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Certified vs informational copies

A certified copy is an official copy with the office’s seal that agencies accept as proof. Several states also issue informational or genealogical copies to people who are not entitled to a certified one; these are marked as not valid to establish identity.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. How they differ
  2. States that issue informational or non-certified copies
  3. Which one you need
  4. Sources

How they differ

Certified copy
Raised or printed seal and the registrar’s signature. Accepted by passport offices, the motor vehicle office, Social Security, courts and banks. Usually limited to the person on the record, close family and legal representatives.
Informational or genealogy copy
Same information, but marked as not valid for identity or legal purposes. Often available to anyone, or after a waiting period.
Verification or letter
A short statement that a record exists, sometimes issued for agencies or for records the office cannot copy.

States that issue informational or non-certified copies

StateCopyWhat the state says it is forFee
AlaskaOpen Records White Copy1–$151
ArizonaNoncertified copy for genealogical research2––
CaliforniaCertified Informational Copy3Cannot establish identity.4$315
District of ColumbiaUnofficial copy of an open birth record (DC Archives)6––
GeorgiaPlain paper copy7––
HawaiiLetter of verification8Verifies that the record is on file and the facts the applicant supplies; does not disclose other contents8$58
IdahoManual or written data verification9–$109
IllinoisGenealogical10Not for legal use10$1010
IowaCertified copy for genealogy, marked for genealogical purposes only11–$2012
MaineNon-certified copy (not a legal copy)13Not a legal document; generally for research or genealogy14$1013
MaineVerification of facts pertaining to a vital record15–$2515
MinnesotaInformational noncertified birth record16Informational purposes only17$1318
MinnesotaVerification of birth facts16Proof a Minnesota birth record exists; it is not a birth certificate19$919
MississippiPlain paper copy for genealogy20–$1721
NevadaBirth or death record verification22–$1022
New JerseyCertification23Not valid for identity or legal purposes; generally only useful for genealogy23$2524
New YorkGenealogy copy (uncertified)25–$2225
North CarolinaUncertified copy26Informational purposes only; not accepted for legal purposes27$2426
PennsylvaniaNon-certified copy from the Pennsylvania State Archives28–$528
South DakotaInformational copy29Not for legal proof of identification29$1530
South DakotaInformational photostatic copy31Genealogy; not legal use29$1532
TennesseeVerification of information33–$1534
TexasBirth Verification35Not a legal substitute for a certified copy36$2235
VermontNoncertified copy37Not legal evidence, except for recording in municipal land records38–
WashingtonNoncertified informational copy of a birth record39Not for legal purposes; watermarked 'Cannot be used for legal purposes. Informational only.'39$2540

Death records

StateCopyWhat the state says it is forFee
AlaskaPublic Record White Copy41–$1541
ArizonaNoncertified copy for genealogical research42––
CaliforniaCertified Informational Copy43Cannot establish identity.4$265
ColoradoFor Genealogical Use Only44––
District of ColumbiaUnofficial copy of an open death record (DC Archives)45––
GeorgiaPlain paper / uncertified copy46Public copy available to anyone; the certified copy is the one required for legal purposes47–
HawaiiLetter of verification48Verifies that the record is on file and the facts the applicant supplies; does not disclose other contents48$548
IllinoisGenealogical Copy49Informational use only; cannot be used for legal purposes50$1051
IndianaNon-Certified52–$852
IowaCertified copy for genealogy, marked for genealogical purposes only11–$2012
MaineNon-certified copy (not a legal copy)13Not a legal document; generally for research or genealogy14$1013
MaineVerification of facts pertaining to a vital record15–$2515
MinnesotaInformational noncertified death record16Informational use only53$1353
MississippiPlain paper copy for genealogy54–$1721
MissouriMissouri State Archives death certificate images (more than 50 years old)55Research only; the Archives cannot issue certified copies56–
NevadaBirth or death record verification22–$1022
New JerseyCertification23Not valid for identity or legal purposes; generally only useful for genealogy23$2524
New YorkGenealogy copy (uncertified)25–$2225
North CarolinaUncertified copy57Informational purposes only; not accepted for legal purposes27$2457
North DakotaCertified informational copy of a death record58For the general public59$1558
PennsylvaniaNon-certified copy from the Pennsylvania State Archives28–$528
South DakotaInformational copy29Not for legal proof of identification29$1530
South DakotaInformational photostatic copy31Genealogy; not legal use29$1532
TennesseeVerification of information33–$1534
TexasDeath Verification35Not a legal substitute for a certified copy36$2035
VermontNoncertified copy37Not legal evidence, except for recording in municipal land records38–
VirginiaVerification of Death60For non-immediate family with a direct and tangible interest61$1560
WashingtonNoncertified informational copy of a death record62Not for legal purposes; same content as the short form (no cause of death or SSN).62$2540

Which one you need

For a passport, REAL ID, Social Security, an estate, insurance or a pension, you need a certified copy. For family history, an informational copy is usually enough and easier to get. Check who may order each kind in who can order a birth certificate.

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. Vital Records OrdersAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  2. ADHS Vital Records: Who Can Obtain a Birth CertificateArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  3. VS 111 (01/2026) application, birthCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2026
  4. Authorized Copy vs. Informational CopyCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 23, 2025
  5. Vital Records FeesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 29, 2026
  6. Birth certificatesDC Health, Vital Records Division
  7. GA R&R - GAC - Subject 511-1-3 VITAL RECORDSGeorgia Secretary of State, Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgiadated September 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  8. Hawaii Birth & Marriage CertificatesHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring
  9. Section 160208Idaho Administrative Code
  10. Birth record application (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2026
  11. Iowa Admin. Code 641 Ch. 95 Vital Records: General Administration (IAC 6/10/26)Iowa Legislaturedated July 1, 2026
  12. Genealogy Search Guidelines & RequirementsIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  13. Application for a Search and Certified Copy of a Vital Record (vrform2 R 06/2024)Maine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)dated June 1, 2024
  14. Register as a GeneologistMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  15. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  16. Minnesota Department of Health pageMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated August 31, 2026
  17. Vital recordsMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 3, 2026
  18. Minnesota Department of Health form (PDF)health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/ncbirthia.pdfMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2024
  19. Birth recver (PDF)Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2024
  20. Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form No. 522Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
  21. 1 Rev. October 10, 2025Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 10, 2025
  22. Application for a Birth or Death Record VerificationNevada DPBH Office of Vital Records
  23. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vitalNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
  24. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/feesNew Jersey Department of Healthdated August 13, 2025
  25. Genealogy Records & Resources - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  26. NC Birth Certificate App (PDF)NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Records (application form PDF hosted on vitalchek.com, linked from vitalrecords.nc.gov/order.htm and forms.htm)dated February 1, 2025
  27. NC Vital Records faqs pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  28. Request a birth or death certificatePennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, State Archives
  29. Vital Records Eligibility & IdentificationSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  30. Vital records feesSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  31. Genealogy resourcesSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 13, 2026
  32. South Dakota Vital Records Request (application)South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  33. ApplicationsTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  34. Tennessee Department of Health: FeesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  35. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Costs and FeesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  36. Record TypesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  37. Order Vital RecordsVermont Department of Healthdated June 30, 2026
  38. 18 V.S.A. chapter 101 (Vital Records), full chapterVermont General Assemblydated May 9, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  39. Ordering a Birth Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  40. Birth/Death Informational Copies Order Form (DOH 422-185, November 2025)Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated November 1, 2025
  41. Death form (PDF)Alaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated April 1, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  42. ADHS Vital Records: Who Can Obtain a Death CertificateArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  43. VS 112 (01/2026) application, deathCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2026
  44. Application for Certified Death Certificate, REV. 12/2025Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated December 1, 2025
  45. Death certificatesDC Health, Vital Records Division
  46. Order certificates from the Georgia Office of Vital Records for births and deaths that occurred in…Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
  47. FAQs About CertificatesState of Georgia (georgia.gov)
  48. Death CertificatesHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring
  49. Death record application (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2026
  50. Death recordsIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  51. Obtain death certificateIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  52. Death Request 10.2018.docIndiana Department of Healthdated September 1, 2018
  53. Minnesota Department of Health form (PDF)health.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/docs/nondia.pdfMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2024
  54. Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form 523Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
  55. Death Records FAQsMissouri State Archives (Secretary of State)
  56. Missouri Vital RecordsMissouri State Archives (Secretary of State)
  57. NC Death Certificate App (PDF)NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Records (application form PDF hosted on vitalchek.com, linked from vitalrecords.nc.gov/order.htm)dated February 1, 2025
  58. Certified Copies of Death RecordsNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  59. SFN 5531 Request for Certified Copy of a Death Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025
  60. Application for Certification of a Death Record (VS6D-07/26)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated July 1, 2026
  61. Frequently Asked QuestionsVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 16, 2026
  62. Ordering a Death Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics