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Long form vs short form birth certificate

States issue birth certificates in more than one format. A long-form copy reproduces most of the original record, including the parents; a short-form copy or abstract lists only key facts. Both can be certified, but they are not accepted for the same purposes.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Why the format matters
  2. What states call their copies
  3. Which one to order
  4. Sources

Why the format matters

The State Department wants a birth certificate that lists the parents' full names, among other points:1

  • 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 short-form copy that leaves the parents out does not meet that list. For dual citizenship, marriages abroad and other uses in another country, the receiving authority may ask for the long form; some states say on their own pages which copy to order for those uses.

What states call their copies

The names differ: "abstract", "short form", "computer certification", "full size", "photocopy of the original". This table gives each state's own name and what it says the copy is for.

StateCopyWhat the state says it is forFee
AlabamaCertified copy2Treated by statute as the same as the original for all purposes3$152
AlaskaCertified Copies of Vital Records: Birth Certificate4–$304
ArizonaCertificate of Birth Registration5–$205
ArkansasCertified copy of the birth record6–$126
ArkansasBirth card certification7––
CaliforniaCertified Authorized Copy8Can establish identity; meets passport application requirements per CDPH.9$3110
ColoradoCertified copy11Prima facie evidence in all courts and places of the facts stated.12$2511
ConnecticutFull size13–$3013
ConnecticutWallet size13Not for passports13$1514
District of ColumbiaBirth certificate15Same as the original record for all purposes16$2317
FloridaComputer-Generated Certification of Birth18Accepted by all state and federal agencies18$919
FloridaPhotocopy-Generated Certificate of Live Birth18Accepted by all state and federal agencies18$1419
GeorgiaCertified copy (security paper)20Identity, citizenship and relationship, including passports and driver's licenses20$2521
GeorgiaPen in Hand certificate20International travel; may be required for an apostille20–
HawaiiCertified copy22Quoted uses22$1023
IdahoCertified copy of a birth certificate24Passport, government benefits, school enrolment, military, pension or insurance claims; one of the documents for a Star Card.24$1625
IllinoisBirth Certificate - Long Form26Accepted for all legal use, passport and other governmental agencies26$1526
IllinoisBirth Certificate - Short Form26Basic birth record information, may not be accepted by all governmental agencies26$1026
IndianaStandard Birth Certificate27Driver’s license (real ID), passport, school records, sports, new hire information, SS card replacement, traveling abroad, government benefits27$1028
IndianaLong-Form Birth Certificate27Marriage outside of the U.S, genealogy, dual citizenship, immigration/visa, apostilles, pre-adopt, DAR/Son of American Revolution27$1028
IowaCertified copy of a birth certificate29Treated as the original for all purposes, subject to the rule for amended or late records30$2031
LouisianaBirth Certificate (long form)32Passports, school enrollment, employment, proof of citizenship, government benefits, insurance33$1534
LouisianaBirth Card (short form), sold only as a pair with a long-form Birth Certificate34Legal certified copy, but some agencies may not accept the birth card; check first.32$2434
MaineCertified copy of a vital record35–$1536
MarylandCertificate of Live Birth (certified copy)37REAL ID: only certified copies of birth certificates (or a current U.S. passport) are accepted37$1038
MassachusettsCertified copy39–$3239
MinnesotaBirth certificate (certified birth record on security paper)40Official legal document; bank accounts, credit cards, drivers' licenses and more41$2642
MississippiCertified copy of birth certificate (long form, raised seal)43Passport, driver's license, school registration, traveling, etc.43$1744
MississippiShort form or abstract: no longer issued43––
MissouriBirth Certification45Most purposes, e.g. driver's license, school registration, personal identification and other legal purposes45$1546
MissouriCertificate of Live Birth45Typically not required; may be preferred after prior changes to the record or for genealogy; recommended for apostille45$1546
NevadaCertified copy of birth certificate47–$2547
New HampshireCertified copy of a vital record48–$1548
New JerseyCertified copy49Valid to establish identity; legal document49$2550
New MexicoCertified copy of a New Mexico birth certificate51–$1052
New MexicoComplete certificate (with medical information), only if approved by the State Registrar53––
New YorkCertified Copy54–$3055
New YorkLong form (full copy / vault copy)56Needed when an apostille is required and the copy is ordered online or by phone56–
New York CityShort form birth certificate57Most domestic purposes within the U.S., such as a driver's license or U.S. passport58$1558
New York CityLong form birth certificate57International purposes: dual citizenship, international adoption or marriage, time of birth, apostille58$1558
North CarolinaCertified copy59A certified copy is required for most legal or official purposes for which a copy of a vital record is requested. For instance, a certified copy can be used to obtain apostille services through the NC Secretary of State's office.60$2459
North DakotaCertified copy (raised-seal paper copy)61For all official purposes, including U.S. Passport, Driver's License, etc.61$1562
OhioAbstract copy (online orders)63All U.S. legal uses, including passports63$21.5063
OhioBirth Certificate, certified copy (mail application HEA 2709)64Required route for genealogy, dual citizenship, international legal matters and international marriage63$21.5064
OklahomaStandard Certified Copy65–$1565
PennsylvaniaBirth certificate66Passport, employment, driver's license, Social Security card, school enrollment, REAL ID66$2066
South DakotaCertified copy67Identification and other legal purposes67$1568
South DakotaCertified photostatic copy (photocopy of the original record)67Legal purposes67$1569
TennesseeBirth Certificate70Passport applications need a certified copy71$1570
TexasLong Form Birth Certificate72Required for U.S. passport, driver's license in most states, dual citizenship72$2273
TexasShort Form Birth Certificate72School/sports registration, employment, insurance72$2273
TexasBirth Certificate to Obtain Election Identification72Only for obtaining a Texas Election Identification Certificate (EIC) from DPS74–
UtahBirth Certificate (initial certified copy)75–$2575
UtahBirth certificate book copy75–$575
VermontCertified copy (State engraved security paper with raised seal)76Prima facie evidence of the facts stated (18 V.S.A. § 5016(b)(4))77$1076
VirginiaShort Form Birth Certificate78Accepted by all local, state and federal agencies including passport and Social Security offices78$1579
VirginiaSpecial Use Birth Certificate (Long Form)80Image copy of the original certificate; usually needed for dual citizenship78$1579
WashingtonBirth certificate81Legal purposes: proving identity, citizenship and relationship; passport, driver license, insurance, school, Social Security.81$2581
West VirginiaCertified copy of a West Virginia birth certificate82School enrollment, employment and passports83$1284
West VirginiaManually prepared abstracted document for certification85–$1085
GuamBirth Certificate (certified copy)86Passports, school enrollment, employment, healthcare, government benefits, identification, citizenship and immigration, insurance and legal matters87$586

Which one to order

If you are not sure, order the copy the state describes as valid for all legal purposes or for passports. Ask the agency that will receive it if it has its own rule. See also birth certificate for a passport and certified vs informational copies.

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. Birth-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated August 21, 2025
  3. Code of Alabama section 22-9A-22 (ALISON, Alabama Legislature)Alabama Legislature (Code of Alabama, ALISON)
  4. Vital Records OrdersAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  5. ADHS Vital Records: Fee SchedulesArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  6. Order birth recordsArkansas Department of Health
  7. 2022 Vital Records Rule (PDF)Arkansas Department of Healthdated May 2, 2022
  8. Authorized Copy vs. Informational CopyCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 23, 2025
  9. Vital Records FAQsCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated October 22, 2025
  10. Vital Records FeesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated January 29, 2026
  11. Fee schedule, effective 1/1/2026Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated January 1, 2026
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. VS-39B Request for a Certified Copy of a Birth Record from the Town (Rev 12/21)Connecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Officedated December 1, 2021
  15. DC Health Vital Records fee schedule pageDC Health, Vital Records Division
  16. DC Official Code § 7-231.25 (Council of the District of Columbia, code.dccouncil.gov)Council of the District of Columbiadated October 30, 2018
  17. Vital recordsdchealth.dc.gov/vital-recordsDC Health, Vital Records Division
  18. DH726 birth app 6 30 2023 (PDF)Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated January 1, 2022
  19. Birth certificatesfloridahealth.gov/certificates-records/birth-certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
  20. FAQs About CertificatesState of Georgia (georgia.gov)
  21. Birth CertificatesGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
  22. Vital Records Ordering & Tracking: AboutHawaii State Department of Health, eHawaii.gov
  23. Vital Records Ordering and TrackingHawaii State Department of Health, eHawaii.gov
  24. About Birth RecordsIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  25. Processing Times and FeesIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
  26. Birth record application (PDF)Illinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2026
  27. Vital Records: BirthsIndiana Department of Health
  28. Vital Records: Order CertificatesIndiana Department of Health
  29. Vital RecordsIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
  30. Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 144 Vital StatisticsIowa Legislaturedated December 9, 2025
  31. Iowa Admin. Code 641 Ch. 95 Vital Records: General Administration (IAC 6/10/26)Iowa Legislaturedated July 1, 2026
  32. Section 61Louisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  33. Vital recordsldh.la.gov/vital-recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  34. Service feesLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
  35. 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
  36. Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
  37. How to identify a certified Birth CertificateMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  38. Maryland Department of Health: FeesMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
  39. Order a birth, marriage, or death certificateMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
  40. Minnesota Department of Health pageMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated August 31, 2026
  41. Vital recordshealth.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.htmlMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 3, 2026
  42. Minnesota Department of Health form (PDF)Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 1, 2026
  43. Vital recordsmsdh.ms.gov/programs-services/public-health-services/vital-recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
  44. Birth certificatesmsdh.ms.gov/…s/public-health-services/vital-records/birth-certificatesMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 4, 2026
  45. Frequently Asked Questions | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  46. Consumer Alert - Ordering a Vital Record Online | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
  47. Birth/Death Vital Records - FAQsNevada DPBH Office of Vital Recordsdated January 8, 2026
  48. VR201 Application for a Certified Copy of a Vital Record (Rev. 7/2025)New Hampshire Secretary of State, Division of Vital Records Administrationdated July 1, 2025read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  49. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vitalNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
  50. Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/feesNew Jersey Department of Healthdated August 13, 2025
  51. NMDOH Vital Records homeNew Mexico Department of Health
  52. NMDOH Birth CertificatesNew Mexico Department of Health
  53. NMSA 1978 Ch. 24 Art. 14 Vital Statistics ActNew Mexico Compilation Commission (NMOneSource), NMSA 1978 Chapter 24 Article 14
  54. Doh 4380 (PDF)New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated September 1, 2019
  55. Birth Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  56. Apostille for Vital RecordsNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  57. Birth Certificates - NYC HealthNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  58. Premium Mail Service ApplicationNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygienedated April 1, 2025
  59. 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
  60. NC Vital Records faqs pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
  61. SFN 8140 Request for Certified Copy of a Birth Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025
  62. Certified Copies of Birth RecordsNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  63. How to Order CertificatesOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated December 31, 2024
  64. HEA 2701 & HEA 2709 (PDF)Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated January 1, 2025
  65. Birth Certificate Request Form (Oct 2026)Oklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Recordsdated October 1, 2026
  66. Birth certificatespa.gov/agencies/health/programs/vital-records/birth-certificatesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
  67. Vital Records Eligibility & IdentificationSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  68. Vital records feesSouth Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated January 9, 2025
  69. South Dakota Vital Records Request (application)South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  70. Tennessee Department of Health: FeesTennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  71. 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
  72. Record TypesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  73. Texas DSHS Vital Statistics Costs and FeesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  74. Birth Certificate for Election IdentificationTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
  75. Fee Schedule (Effective July 1, 2026)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statisticsdated July 1, 2026
  76. Order Vital RecordsVermont Department of Healthdated June 30, 2026
  77. 18 V.S.A. chapter 101 (Vital Records), full chapterVermont General Assemblydated May 9, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
  78. Application for Certification of a Birth Record (VS6B-07/26)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated July 1, 2026
  79. Online Application for a Vital RecordVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 5, 2026
  80. OVR Online - How it Works (Application for Certification of a Vital Record)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
  81. Ordering a Birth Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  82. 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
  83. Vital RegistrationWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  84. Certificate RequestsWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
  85. 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
  86. 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
  87. Vital Statistics | DPHSS GuamGuam Department of Public Health and Social Servicesdated July 11, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page