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

VitalRecordsByState
Menu

The fastest way to get a birth certificate

The fastest way is usually in person: many state offices and some local offices print a certified copy the same day. If you cannot go in person, an expedited online order with overnight shipping is next.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Same-day options by state
  2. Fastest published option by state
  3. Saving days
  4. Sources

Same-day options by state

StateSame-day options the state publishes
AlabamaAt a local office1
Hours: Jefferson County example: Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:15pm, Guy M. Tate Building only2
ArkansasIn person3
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am until 5:00pm; closed state holidays3
CaliforniaAt a local office4
District of ColumbiaIn person5
IowaIn person6
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state-observed holidays6
MaineIn person7
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.7
MarylandIn person8
Hours: By appointment only, Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:00 pm9
MassachusettsIn person10
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.11
MinnesotaAt a local office12
MississippiIn person13
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; closed state holidays13
MissouriAt a local office14
Hours: Approximately 8 AM (or earlier) to 5 PM, walk-in, no appointment14
New HampshireIn person15
Hours: Lobby 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.16
New JerseyIn person17
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, excluding State Holidays; arrivals after 3:30 p.m. may only drop off applications18
North CarolinaAt a local office19
OhioIn person20
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 card20
At a local office20
PennsylvaniaIn person21
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM. Closed holidays.21
TennesseeIn person22
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.23
TexasIn person24
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm25
UtahIn person26
Hours: Varies by office (e.g. Salt Lake County windows 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F); last orders 30 minutes before closing27
VirginiaIn person28
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:00 AM-4:00 PM29
At a local office: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers30
At a local office (VDH health districts)28
WashingtonAt a local office31
West VirginiaIn person32
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:00 PM, except State holidays33

Fastest published option by state

StateFastest optionExpedite fee
AlabamaAt a local office: Same day1$151
AlaskaOnline through VitalChek: 2 to 3 weeks34–
Arizona––
ArkansasIn person: Same day3–
CaliforniaAt a local office: Same day4–
ColoradoBy mail: 21 to 25 business days35–
ConnecticutBy mail: Up to 12 weeks36–
District of ColumbiaIn person: Same day5–
FloridaBy mail: 3 to 5 business days37$1038
GeorgiaBy mail: 8 to 10 weeks39$1640
HawaiiBy mail: 4 to 6 weeks41–
IdahoOnline through VitalChek Network, Inc.: 3 to 5 weeks42$1043
IllinoisOnline through VitalChek: 10 to 15 business days on average44–
Indiana––
IowaIn person: Same day6–
LouisianaBy mail: About 8 to 10 weeks for delivery45–
MaineIn person: Same day7–
MarylandIn person: Same day8$2046
MassachusettsIn person: Same day10$4210
MinnesotaAt a local office: Same day12$2047
MississippiIn person: Same day13–
MissouriAt a local office: Same day14–
NevadaAt a local office: 2 to 4 weeks48$2049
New HampshireIn person: Same day15–
New JerseyIn person: Same day17–
New MexicoOnline through VitalChek: 3 to 5 business days50–
New York–$4551
New York CityBy mail: 8 to 12 weeks52–
North CarolinaAt a local office: Same day19$1553
North Dakota–$2554
OhioIn person: Same day20–
OklahomaOnline through VitalChek: 1 to 2 business days55–
PennsylvaniaIn person: Same day21–
South Dakota–$11.5056
TennesseeIn person: Same day22–
TexasIn person: Same day24$2557
UtahIn person: Same day26$2558
VermontOnline: 5 to 7 business days59$14.5059
VirginiaIn person: Same day28–
WashingtonAt a local office: Same day31$760
West VirginiaIn person: Same day32$1061
Guam––

Saving days

  • Check the state’s hours and whether it needs an appointment before you go.
  • Bring the completed application and an accepted photo ID.
  • Online, pay for expedited processing only if the state’s normal time is longer than you have; overnight shipping only shortens delivery.
  • Born in New York City? Order from the city, not New York State.

See processing times by 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. Birth-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated August 21, 2025
  2. Vital recordsjcdh.org/SitePages/Programs-Services/Records/VitalRecords.aspxJefferson County Department of Health
  3. Order birth recordsArkansas Department of Health
  4. Vital recordsocrecorder.com/clerk-services/vital-recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
  5. Vital recordsdchealth.dc.gov/vital-recordsDC Health, Vital Records Division
  6. How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  7. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  8. Processing TimeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  9. DVR Location, Directions and HoursMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  10. Vital records service feesMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  11. Order a birth, marriage, or death certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  12. Vital recordshealth.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.htmlMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 3, 2026
  13. Vital recordsmsdh.ms.gov/programs-services/public-health-services/vital-recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
  14. Frequently Asked Questions | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/non-genealogical-recordsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
  18. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/contact-usNew Jersey Department of Healthdated July 1, 2022
  19. NC Vital Records order pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
  20. How to Order CertificatesOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated December 31, 2024
  21. Public officesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  22. How long will it take?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 23, 2026
  23. Office Hours and LocationTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  24. Texas DSHS birth recordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  25. Mail application for birth record VS 140 1.2026 (PDF)Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Sectiondated January 1, 2026
  26. Get a copy of a certificateUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  27. Utah Local Health Departments (page says Updated May 2021)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
  28. OVR Online - How it Works (Application for Certification of a Vital Record)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  29. Vital Record Walk-In LocationsVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated April 16, 2026
  30. Vital Records at DMVVirginia Department of Motor Vehicles
  31. Ordering a Vital Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  32. Certificate RequestsWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  33. Contact InformationWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  34. Vital Records OrdersAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  35. Birth Certificate Application, REV. 10/2024Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated October 1, 2024
  36. How to Obtain a RecordConnecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Office
  37. Birth certificatesfloridahealth.gov/certificates-records/birth-certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  38. DH726 birth app 6 30 2023 (PDF)Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated January 1, 2022
  39. FAQs About CertificatesState of Georgia (georgia.gov)
  40. 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
  41. Hawaii Birth & Marriage CertificatesHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring
  42. Processing Times and FeesIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  43. Section 160208Idaho Administrative Code
  44. Birth certificatescookcountyclerkil.gov/…-records/birth-death-records/birth-certificatesCook County Clerk
  45. How to order birth recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  46. Maryland Department of Health: FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  47. Minnesota Department of Health form (PDF)Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 1, 2026
  48. Birth certificatessouthernnevadahealthdistrict.org/…ams/vital-records/birth-certificatesSouthern Nevada Health Districtdated September 30, 2026
  49. Office of Vital Statistics - Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce RecordsNevada DHHS Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 29, 2026
  50. NMDOH Birth CertificatesNew Mexico Department of Health
  51. Apostille for Vital RecordsNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  52. Birth and Death Records Fees and Processing Times - NYC HealthNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  53. NC Vital Records fees pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  54. SFN 8140 Request for Certified Copy of a Birth Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025
  55. Vital Records Frequently Asked QuestionsOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  56. Vital records feesSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  57. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Costs and FeesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  58. Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  59. Vital Records Request Service (secure.vermont.gov), a service of the Vermont Department of HealthVermont Department of Health
  60. Chapter 246-491 WAC Vital statistics - Certificates (full text)Washington State Legislature (Office of the Code Reviser)
  61. 64CSR51 Fees for Services, Final File (effective July 1, 2026)West Virginia Secretary of State (Code of State Rules), rule of the WV Department of Healthdated July 1, 2026