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How to get a North Dakota birth certificate

In North Dakota, order a certified birth certificate from the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Unit.1 Each certified copy costs $152. You can order online, by mail or in person. Anyone may order a certified copy.

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Ways to order
  2. What a North Dakota birth certificate costs
  3. Who can order a North Dakota birth certificate
  4. ID you need
  5. What the application asks for
  6. Forms
  7. Years held and older records
  8. Special situations
  9. The state office
  10. Questions people ask
  11. Sources

Ways to order

HowCost per copyProcessing timePayment
Online$152––
By mail$152
+ 3 possible extra charges		–Check and money order1
In person$152––

Online

Run by
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (state-run portal vrcerts.hhs.nd.gov)3
Fees
  • Per copy $152
Expedited service
Online order with 'Web Order Pickup': usually ready in under two hours for pickup at the office2

Good to know

  • Online is the office's recommended route for urgent needs2

Go to the ordering site3

By mail

Fees
  • Per copy $152
  • Optional FedEx return shipping: ( to Alaska or Hawaii) $251
  • Optional UPS return shipping $301
  • Optional FedEx/UPS international return shipping $1001
Expedited service
$25. FedEx, UPS or USPS Priority Mail return orders received by 10:00 a.m. Central are processed the same day; otherwise next business day1
Payment
Check and money order1
Make payable to
ND DHHS1
Mail to
Vital Records Unit, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
4

Good to know

  • No fax or email requests or delivery1
  • Fax applications not accepted2

Open the application or mail instructions5

In person

Fees
  • Per copy $152
Appointment
Required4

Good to know

  • Bring the ID used to order when picking up a web order2

Open the official page4

What a North Dakota birth certificate costs

First certified copy
$152
Each additional copy
$151
Expedite fee
$251
If no record is found
The fee is kept as a search fee6
Fees in effect since
July 1, 20226

Types of copies

CopyAccepted forFee
Certified copy (raised-seal paper copy)1For all official purposes, including U.S. Passport, Driver's License, etc.1$152

Who can order a North Dakota birth certificate

Anyone may order a certified copy.7

The office also names these requesters and conditions. Each line gives the official wording.

  • Yes, if at least 16 years old2
  • A parent named on the record: A certified copy of a birth record may only be requested by the individual named on the record, provided they are at least 16 years old, or by the mother or father named on the record.2
  • Legal guardian1
    Proof: Guardianship papers1
  • Person named in a court order2
    Proof: Court order (not a subpoena)2
  • Attorney or legal representative: Other legal documentation listing you as an authorized representative of the individual named on the birth record.2
    Proof: Legal documentation naming the requester as authorized representative2
  • A designee authorized on notarized form SFN 586982
    Proof: Notarized SFN 58698 plus a current government photo ID of the designee8
  • Child, grandchild, grandparent and spouse: only if the registrant is deceased2
    Proof: Certified death record if the death occurred outside North Dakota2
  • A homeless youth agency (NDCC 23-02.1-27(1))7

Who cannot order a certified copy

  • Brother or sister2
Records open to the public after
125 years7
Social Security number on the copy
A certified copy may show an SSN only to the registrant, a relative or authorized representative, or by court order7

ID you need

Photo ID
Required1
Accepted ID
  • State Government issued Photo ID or Driver's License
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs issued tribal ID card
  • US Government issued Military ID card
  • US Government issued Passport or Visa
  • US Government issued Permanent Resident Card1
Without that ID
One primary ID, or two different secondary documents, or a notarized application.1
ID copy with a mail order
Include a copy of your ID5

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.1

  • Full name on birth record (adoptive name if adopted)
  • Sex
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth (city, township or county)
  • Full name of father/parent
  • Full name of mother/parent (maiden)
  • Number of copies
  • Requestor relationship
  • Requestor signature, printed name, daytime phone, mailing address

Forms

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds
1870 to today1

Special situations

If the person has died
Immediate relatives (parent, child, grandparent, grandchild; spouse per form) or an authorized representative may order; include a certified death record if the death was outside North Dakota2 Details
Adoption
After an adoption the original birth record is sealed; only a court order opens it9 Details
Paternity
A father can be added by Acknowledgment of Paternity (SFN 8195, no filing fee) or by court order10 Details
Name change
Court-ordered name changes are added by mail with SFN 60183 and a $15 amendment fee; marriage name changes should not be added to the birth record11 Details
Sex marker
The sex designation may not be amended due to a gender identity change; only listed error/medical exceptions apply7 Details
Adoptees born abroad
ND issues a birth record for foreign-born children adopted by ND residents; it states it is not evidence of U.S. citizenship7 Details
People without housing
A homeless youth agency may obtain a certified birth copy7 Details
Use abroad
For an apostille, note it in the online order comments or at the bottom of the paper form; Vital Records notifies the Secretary of State12 Details

The state office

Office
North Dakota Vital Records Unit4
Mailing address
Vital Records Unit, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 325, Bismarck, ND 58505-0250
4
Appointments
Required4

Questions people ask

How much is a certified North Dakota birth certificate?

Each certified copy costs $15.21

Can I order a North Dakota birth certificate online?

Yes. Online: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (state-run portal vrcerts.hhs.nd.gov).3

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: ND DHHS.1

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: State Government issued Photo ID or Driver's License; Bureau of Indian Affairs issued tribal ID card; US Government issued Military ID card; US Government issued Passport or Visa; US Government issued Permanent Resident Card.1

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. SFN 8140 Request for Certified Copy of a Birth Record (10-2025)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated October 1, 2025
  2. Certified Copies of Birth RecordsNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  3. Secure Online Ordering of ND Birth and Death Records (login)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  4. ND HHS Vital Records homeNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  5. Certified Copies of Birth by MailNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
  6. NDAC 33-04-15 Fees for Copies and SearchesNorth Dakota Legislative Branchdated July 1, 2022
  7. NDCC chapter 23-02.1 Health Statistics ActNorth Dakota Legislative Branch
  8. SFN 58698 Authorization to Receive a Certified Copy (07-2019)North Dakota Department of Health and Human Servicesdated July 1, 2019
  9. AdoptionND HHS Vital Records
  10. Establishing PaternityND HHS Vital Records
  11. Court Order Name ChangeND HHS Vital Records
  12. ApostilleNorth Dakota Department of Health and Human Services