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Heirloom and commemorative birth certificates

Some states sell a decorative birth certificate for framing or gifts. In some states it is also a certified legal copy; in others it is a keepsake only. The state’s own wording says which.

Last checked against official sources.

States that offer one

StateCopyWhat the state says it is forFee
AlabamaKeepsake Birth Certificate1Not valid for legal purposes2$452
AlaskaHeirloom Birth Certificate3–$553
CaliforniaHeirloom Birth Certificate4Keepsake only; not valid to establish identity.4$444
ColoradoHeirloom birth certificate5Same status as evidence as an original birth certificate.6$357
FloridaCommemorative Birth Certificate8Not acceptable for official purposes8$348
IllinoisCommemorative Birth Certificate9Special birth certificate suitable for framing10$409
IowaCommemorative certificate of birth11–$3512
LouisianaCommemorative Birth Certificate13–$5014
MarylandCommemorative Birth Certificate15Legal document; same evidentiary status as the original birth certificate16$5017
New HampshireDecorative heirloom certificate18Not legally valid as proof of citizenship or identity; meant for framing and display19$2518
OhioHeirloom Birth Certificate20Legal document and keepsake21$2522
OklahomaHeirloom Birth Certificate23Commemorative only; not proof of birth or identity23$3523
TexasHeirloom Birth Certificate (Texas Flag or Bassinet design)24A legal birth certificate equivalent to the short form; mainly for framing and display25$6026
WashingtonHeirloom birth certificate27Legal, official document (same information as a birth certificate).27$5027

For a passport or REAL ID, order a standard certified copy unless the state says its heirloom copy is valid for legal use. See birth certificate for a passport.

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. Keepsake-birth-certificate pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated November 13, 2024
  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. Heirloom Birth RecordsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 28, 2025
  5. Order certificate nowColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated July 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  6. 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
  7. Fee schedule, effective 1/1/2026Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated January 1, 2026
  8. Commemorative certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  9. Obtain birth certificateIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  10. Vital records fee schedule (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
  11. How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  12. Iowa Admin. Code 641 Ch. 95 Vital Records: General Administration (IAC 6/10/26)Iowa Legislaturedated July 1, 2026
  13. Section 5753Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  14. Service feesLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  15. Commemorative Birth CertificatesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  16. Md. Code, Health-General § 4-217Maryland General Assembly (Annotated Code: Health-General Article)
  17. Maryland Department of Health: FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  18. RSA Chapter 5-C Vital Records AdministrationNew Hampshire General Courtdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  19. Heirloom Birth and Marriage CertificatesNew Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated September 14, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  20. How to Order CertificatesOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated December 31, 2024
  21. VS Heirloom Certificate Application 2016 (PDF)Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated October 1, 2016
  22. HEA 2701 & HEA 2709 (PDF)Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated January 1, 2025
  23. Vital Records Frequently Asked QuestionsOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
  24. Mail application for birth record VS 140 1.2026 (PDF)Texas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Sectiondated January 1, 2026
  25. Heirloom Birth CertificatesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  26. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Costs and FeesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  27. Ordering a Birth Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics