Not a government site. We do not sell certificates. About us

VitalRecordsByState
Menu

Delayed birth certificates

A delayed birth certificate is one filed more than a year after the birth, when the birth was never registered at the time.1 You apply to the state with early documents that prove the date and place of birth and your parents.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. What a delayed certificate must show for a passport
  2. Early records that help
  3. How states handle it
  4. Sources

What a delayed certificate must show for a passport

  • List of the records or documents used to create it
  • Signature of the birth attendant or an affidavit signed by the parent(s)

Source1

Early records that help

The State Department looks for records from the first five years of life, such as:1

  • Baptism certificate
  • Hospital birth certificate (often shows baby’s footprints)
  • U.S. Census record
  • Early school records
  • Family Bible record
  • Doctor's records of post-natal care

How states handle it

StateWhat the state says
Alabama$20 to prepare a delayed certificate, including one certified copy.2 Details
Alaska$603 Details
ArizonaAvailable if the birth was not registered within one year.4
ArkansasFiled after one year but within four years: registered on the standard form and marked 'Delayed'. Later filings use a delayed certificate with documentary evidence.5
CaliforniaA birth never registered uses VS 85, or a court order delayed registration (VS 108) if evidence is unavailable.6 Details
ColoradoRegistering 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.7 Details
ColoradoDelayed birth registration fee: $50.00, including one copy after the request is accepted for registration.8 Details
ConnecticutBelated registration by affidavit; not for a deceased person9
District of ColumbiaBirths registered more than 364 days after birth need an appointment and evidence10 Details
FloridaSearch first ($9). If none is found, you get a certified not-found statement and instructions; filing costs $20.11 Details
GeorgiaDelayed certificate with documentary evidence: $25 search fee (includes a copy) plus $10 processing fee12 Details
HawaiiA request to amend a Certificate of Hawaiian Birth is treated as an application for a late birth certificate; no filing fee13 Details
HawaiiCertificate of Hawaiian Birth copies follow the standard procedure13 Details
IdahoRegistered one year or more after the event: filed as a delayed certificate; a $16 search fee applies whether or not a certificate is found.14 Details
IllinoisA person born in Illinois with no birth registration may apply on State Registrar forms, filed with the local registrar of the birth district.15 Details
IndianaOver 12 months old: delayed registration with IDOH16 Details
IowaBirths registered a year or more late are marked delayed; the state prepares delayed certificates for $1517
LouisianaDelayed certificate filing fee $27.50, including one certified copy.18 Details
MaineFee: $60; Form: VS-60; Includes: one certified copy19 Details
MarylandDelayed certificate of birth for a Maryland birth never registered; call DVR 410-764-303820 Details
MassachusettsA Negative Statement plus evidence of birth (hospital record, notarized midwife/physician affidavit, parents' marriage license, proof of residence for home births); $50 per record; filed in person at the city/town clerk or RVRS21 Details
MinnesotaRegistration more than a year after birth is handled by MDH for $40.22
Mississippi$28.00, includes one certified copy; needs a prior 'Not on File' finding23
MissouriProcessing an application to record a birth after the 12th birthday costs $15.00 (does not include a new certified copy)24 Details
NevadaBirths not registered within 1 year: Delayed Certificate of Birth, $45 filing (includes one copy) plus $10 verification/search.25 Details
New HampshireFee: $25; Where: town clerk26
New JerseyFirst obtain a No Record statement, then request a delayed report of birth with documentary proof; Record Modification Unit 1-866-649-8726 option 427
New MexicoApply for a birth certificate first ($10); if no record exists, submit documents with an additional $10 to create a delayed certificate (includes one copy)28 Details
North CarolinaA person born in NC more than one year ago with no birth certificate files a delayed certificate with the Register of Deeds, after a $24 NC Vital Records search returns a "no record found" letter.29 Details
OhioProbate courts file delayed birth registrations; Franklin County charges $72.0030
OklahomaRequest a search first with the standard application; if no record is found OSDH sends delayed-certificate instructions. Documents: 3 showing date of birth or age, 2 showing Oklahoma birthplace, 1 with both parents' full names (including the mother's maiden name), each established at or near the time of birth and/or at least 10 years before applying.31 Details
PennsylvaniaDelayed report for a birth reported more than seven years later32
South DakotaDelayed birth certificate (not registered within one year): $15 preparation and filing fee, marked "delayed"33
TennesseeRequest a copy first; a no-record letter comes with instructions for filing a delayed certificate34
TexasBirths not registered within the first year need a Delayed Certificate of Birth; filing fee $25, after first getting a 'not found' result35 Details
UtahLive births filed for individuals one calendar year or older are filed as delayed36 Details
VermontDelayed certificate of birth: notarized Request + Statement of Information plus supporting original/certified documents (3 if age 10+, 2 if under 10)37 Details
VirginiaDelayed birth registrations have no set delivery time frame38 Details
WashingtonDelayed birth certifications are marked as delayed and describe the evidence or court order used.39
West VirginiaCall the Corrections Unit at 304-558-2931 to register a delayed birth40 Details
GuamA delayed birth registration is one filed 7 or more years after birth and needs documentary evidence41 Details

Before you apply, ask the state for a search: if a record exists under another spelling or date, you need a correction, not a delayed 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. 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
  2. Code of Alabama section 22-9A-23 (ALISON, Alabama Legislature)Alabama Legislature (Code of Alabama, ALISON)
  3. Vital Records OrdersAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  4. ADHS Vital Records: Register a Delayed Birth CertificateArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  5. 2022 Vital Records Rule (PDF)Arkansas Department of Healthdated May 2, 2022
  6. Delayed or Court Order Delayed Vital EventsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated March 13, 2026
  7. Other topics regarding Vital RecordsColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated April 20, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  8. Fee schedule, effective 1/1/2026Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated January 1, 2026
  9. Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Sec. 19a-41-1 et seqConnecticut Secretary of the State (Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies)dated January 3, 2011
  10. DC Health registering records pageDC Health, Vital Records Division
  11. Amendments and correctionsFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  12. Delayed certificate birth form (PDF)Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated March 1, 2018
  13. Late Birth Certificate in lieu of a Certificate of Hawaiian BirthHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring
  14. File a Delayed Certificate of BirthIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  15. Section 077005000000300RIllinois General Assembly, Joint Committee on Administrative Rulesdated May 13, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  16. Vital Records: BirthsIndiana Department of Health
  17. Iowa Admin. Code 641 Ch. 95 Vital Records: General Administration (IAC 6/10/26)Iowa Legislaturedated July 1, 2026
  18. Service feesLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  19. Birth recordsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  20. Request Birth CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  21. Establish a delayed record of birthMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  22. Minnesota Department of Health pageMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated August 31, 2026
  23. 1 Rev. October 10, 2025Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 10, 2025
  24. Notice of Fees | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  25. Delayed Certificate of Birth packetNevada DPBH Office of Vital Records
  26. RSA Chapter 5-C Vital Records AdministrationNew Hampshire General Courtdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  27. Department of HealthNew Jersey Department of Healthdated January 3, 2022
  28. Section 8988New Mexico Department of Health
  29. NC Vital Records delayed pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  30. Court CostsFranklin County Probate Court
  31. Birth certificatesOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  32. Delayed Report of Live Birth (PDF)Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Recordsdated September 1, 2020
  33. Section 34-25-42South Dakota Legislature (Legislative Research Council)
  34. My birth certificate was not registered when I was born. Can I get a certified birth certificate?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  35. Delayed Birth RegistrationTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  36. Birth RecordsUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  37. Order Vital RecordsVermont Department of Healthdated June 30, 2026
  38. Frequently Asked QuestionsVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 16, 2026
  39. Chapter 70.58A RCW Vital Statistics (full text)Washington State Legislature
  40. Corrections and Amendment FormsWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  41. 26 GAR Chapter 2 Vital StatisticsGuam Compiler of Laws (Supreme Court of Guam)