Processing times by state
How long state offices take to process birth and death certificate orders, by the way you order, in the state’s own published figures.
Processing time is how long the office takes to handle an order after it arrives. Mail time and shipping are extra unless the state says otherwise. Where a state gives an average, the table says so. A dash means the state does not publish a time for that way of ordering on the pages we use; we never estimate one.
Birth certificates
| Alabama | – | 7 to 10 days1 | – | Same day2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 2 to 3 weeks3 | – | – | – |
| Arizona | – | – | – | – |
| Arkansas | 7 to 14 business days4 | – | Same day4 | – |
| California | Up to 20 business days5 | 4 to 6 weeks on average6 | – | Same day7 |
| Colorado | Up to 30 business days8 | 21 to 25 business days9 | – | – |
| Connecticut | – | Up to 12 weeks10 | – | – |
| Delaware | Official office | – | – | – |
| District of Columbia | 2 to 4 weeks11 | – | Same day12 | – |
| Florida | – | 3 to 5 business days13 | – | – |
| Georgia | – | 8 to 10 weeks14 | – | – |
| Hawaii | – | 4 to 6 weeks15 | – | – |
| Idaho | 3 to 5 weeks16 | 3 to 5 weeks16 | – | – |
| Illinois | 10 to 15 business days on average17 | Up to 12 weeks18 | – | 20 business days on average17 |
| Indiana | – | – | – | – |
| Iowa | 5 to 10 business days on average19 | 4 to 6 weeks on average19 | Same day19 | – |
| Kansas | Official office | – | – | – |
| Kentucky | Official office | – | – | – |
| Louisiana | – | About 8 to 10 weeks for delivery20 | – | – |
| Maine | – | 5 to 7 business days on average21 | Same day21 | – |
| Maryland | 5 weeks with regular shipping; 3 weeks with expedited shipping22 | Up to 6 weeks22 | Same day22 | – |
| Massachusetts | Up to 10 business days23 | – | Same day23 | – |
| Michigan | Official office | – | – | – |
| Minnesota | – | – | – | Same day24 |
| Mississippi | 7 to 10 business days25 | 7 to 10 business days25 | Same day26 | – |
| Missouri | 5 to 7 business days27 | 4 to 8 weeks28 | – | Same day27 |
| Montana | Official office | – | – | – |
| Nebraska | Official office | – | – | – |
| Nevada | – | – | – | 2 to 4 weeks29 |
| New Hampshire | – | Up to 20 business days30 | Same day30 | – |
| New Jersey | – | 10 to 12 weeks31 | Same day32 | – |
| New Mexico | 3 to 5 business days33 | 6 to 12 weeks on average34 | – | – |
| New York | – | – | – | – |
| New York City | – | 8 to 12 weeks35 | – | – |
| North Carolina | Up to 10 business days on average36 | Up to 4 months37 | – | Same day38 |
| North Dakota | – | – | – | – |
| Ohio | Up to 5 business days39 | 4 to 6 weeks39 | Same day39 | Same day39 |
| Oklahoma | 1 to 2 business days40 | 4 to 6 weeks41 | – | – |
| Oregon | Official office | – | – | – |
| Pennsylvania | 2 weeks on average42 | 2 weeks on average42 | Same day43 | – |
| Rhode Island | Official office | – | – | – |
| South Carolina | Official office | – | – | – |
| South Dakota | – | – | – | – |
| Tennessee | Up to 3 days44 | Up to 3 days44 | Same day44 | – |
| Texas | 20 to 25 business days on average45 | 25 to 30 business days on average45 | Same day46 | – |
| Utah | 6 weeks47 | – | Same day48 | – |
| Vermont | 5 to 7 business days49 | – | – | – |
| Virginia | 2 to 5 days50 | – | Same day51 | Same day52 |
| Washington | 3 to 7 business days53 | – | – | Same day53 |
| West Virginia | – | – | Same day54 | – |
| Wisconsin | Official office | – | – | – |
| Wyoming | Official office | – | – | – |
| American Samoa | Official office | – | – | – |
| Guam | – | – | – | – |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Official office | – | – | – |
| Puerto Rico | Official office | – | – | – |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Official office | – | – | – |
Death certificates
| Alabama | – | 7 to 10 days1 | – | Same day55 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 2 to 3 weeks3 | – | – | – |
| Arizona | – | Up to 5 business days on average56 | – | – |
| Arkansas | 7 to 14 business days57 | – | Same day57 | – |
| California | Up to 20 business days58 | 4 to 6 weeks on average6 | – | Same day7 |
| Colorado | Up to 30 business days8 | 21 to 25 business days59 | – | – |
| Connecticut | – | Up to 12 weeks10 | – | – |
| Delaware | Official office | – | – | – |
| District of Columbia | 2 to 4 weeks11 | – | Same day12 | – |
| Florida | – | 3 to 5 business days60 | – | – |
| Georgia | – | 8 to 10 weeks61 | – | – |
| Hawaii | – | – | – | – |
| Idaho | 3 to 5 weeks62 | 3 to 5 weeks62 | – | – |
| Illinois | 10 to 15 business days on average63 | Up to 12 weeks64 | – | 20 business days on average63 |
| Indiana | – | – | – | – |
| Iowa | 5 to 10 business days on average19 | 4 to 6 weeks on average19 | Same day19 | – |
| Kansas | Official office | – | – | – |
| Kentucky | Official office | – | – | – |
| Louisiana | – | About 8 to 10 weeks for delivery65 | – | – |
| Maine | – | 5 to 7 business days on average21 | Same day21 | – |
| Maryland | 5 weeks with regular shipping; 3 weeks with expedited shipping22 | Up to 6 weeks22 | Same day22 | – |
| Massachusetts | Up to 10 business days23 | – | Same day23 | – |
| Michigan | Official office | – | – | – |
| Minnesota | – | – | – | Same day24 |
| Mississippi | 7 to 10 business days66 | 7 to 10 business days66 | – | – |
| Missouri | 5 to 7 business days27 | 4 to 8 weeks28 | – | Same day27 |
| Montana | Official office | – | – | – |
| Nebraska | Official office | – | – | – |
| Nevada | – | – | – | 2 to 4 weeks67 |
| New Hampshire | – | Up to 20 business days30 | Same day30 | – |
| New Jersey | – | 10 to 12 weeks31 | Same day32 | – |
| New Mexico | 3 to 5 business days68 | 6 to 12 weeks on average69 | – | – |
| New York | – | – | – | – |
| New York City | – | 8 to 12 weeks35 | – | – |
| North Carolina | Up to 2 business days on average36 | Up to 4 months70 | – | Same day38 |
| North Dakota | – | – | – | – |
| Ohio | Up to 5 business days39 | 4 to 6 weeks39 | Up to 5 business days71 | Same day39 |
| Oklahoma | 1 to 2 business days40 | – | – | – |
| Oregon | Official office | – | – | – |
| Pennsylvania | 3 weeks on average42 | 3 weeks on average42 | – | – |
| Rhode Island | Official office | – | – | – |
| South Carolina | Official office | – | – | – |
| South Dakota | – | – | – | – |
| Tennessee | Up to 3 days44 | Up to 3 days44 | Same day44 | – |
| Texas | 20 to 25 business days on average45 | 25 to 30 business days on average45 | Same day72 | – |
| Utah | 6 weeks47 | – | Same day48 | – |
| Vermont | 5 to 7 business days49 | – | – | – |
| Virginia | 2 to 5 days50 | – | Same day51 | Same day52 |
| Washington | 3 to 7 business days53 | – | – | Same day53 |
| West Virginia | – | – | Same day54 | – |
| Wisconsin | Official office | – | – | – |
| Wyoming | Official office | – | – | – |
| American Samoa | Official office | – | – | – |
| Guam | – | – | – | – |
| Northern Mariana Islands | Official office | – | – | – |
| Puerto Rico | Official office | – | – | – |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | Official office | – | – | – |
If you need a copy fast
Same-day copies usually mean going in person to the state office or to a local office that issues copies, where the state allows it. Expedited online orders shorten the office's handling time, and overnight shipping shortens delivery; the state pages list the fees for both. Our guide fastest way to get a birth certificate compares the options.
Sources
Each time links to its official source; tap a number to read the exact words.
- ADPH Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records home pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated February 3, 2026
- Birth-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated August 21, 2025
- Vital Records OrdersAlaska Department of Health, Health Analytics and Vital Recordsdated October 24, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
- Order birth recordsArkansas Department of Health
- Birth Record Online RequestLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
- Processing TimesCalifornia Department of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 9, 2026
- Vital recordsocrecorder.com/clerk-services/vital-recordsOrange County Clerk-Recorder
- Birth, death, and other vital recordsColorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated July 29, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
- Birth Certificate Application, REV. 10/2024Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated October 1, 2024
- How to Obtain a RecordConnecticut Department of Public Health, State Vital Records Office
- Dc vital records important noticesDC Health, Vital Records Division
- Vital recordsdchealth.dc.gov/vital-recordsDC Health, Vital Records Division
- Birth certificatesfloridahealth.gov/certificates-records/birth-certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
- FAQs About CertificatesState of Georgia (georgia.gov)
- Hawaii Birth & Marriage CertificatesHawaii State Department of Health, Office of Health Status Monitoring
- Processing Times and Feeshealthandwelfare.idaho.gov/…ge-death-records/processing-times-and-feesIdaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Birth certificatescookcountyclerkil.gov/…-records/birth-death-records/birth-certificatesCook County Clerk
- Obtain birth certificateIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
- How to Request a Certified RecordIowa Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Statistics
- How to order birth recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Request DocumentsMaine DHHS, Maine CDC, Data, Research and Vital Statistics (DRVS)
- Processing TimeMaryland Department of Health, Vital Statistics Administration
- Vital records service feesMassachusetts Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics
- Vital recordshealth.state.mn.us/people/vitalrecords/index.htmlMinnesota Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated November 3, 2026
- Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form No. 522Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
- Vital recordsmsdh.ms.gov/programs-services/public-health-services/vital-recordsMississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated October 14, 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
- Order a Copy of a Vital Record | Missouri Department of Health and Senior ServicesMissouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records
- Birth certificatessouthernnevadahealthdistrict.org/…ams/vital-records/birth-certificatesSouthern Nevada Health Districtdated September 30, 2026
- 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
- Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/genealogical-recordsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated August 13, 2025
- Department of Healthnj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/non-genealogical-recordsNew Jersey Department of Healthdated June 15, 2026
- NMDOH Birth CertificatesNew Mexico Department of Health
- Birth Record Search Application (form 607)New Mexico Department of Health
- Birth and Death Records Fees and Processing Times - NYC HealthNYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
- NC Vital Records processing pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 13, 2026
- 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
- NC Vital Records order pageNC DHHS Division of Public Health, Vital Recordsdated July 23, 2026
- How to Order CertificatesOhio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated December 31, 2024
- Vital Records Frequently Asked QuestionsOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
- Birth and death certificatesOklahoma State Department of Health, Vital Records
- Processing timesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
- Public officesPennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Vital Records
- How long will it take?Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated June 23, 2026
- Texas DSHS processing timesTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Texas DSHS birth recordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section
- Vital Records home (news items dated individually)Utah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
- Get a copy of a certificateUtah DHHS Office of Vital Records and Statistics
- Vital Records Request Service (secure.vermont.gov), a service of the Vermont Department of HealthVermont Department of Health
- Express Delivery through the VitalChek NetworkVirginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated April 16, 2026
- OVR Online - How it Works (Application for Certification of a Vital Record)Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records
- Vital Records at DMVVirginia Department of Motor Vehicles
- Ordering a Vital Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
- Certificate RequestsWest Virginia Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Health Statistics Center (Vital Registration Office)
- Death-certificates pageAlabama Department of Public Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated March 27, 2026
- ADHS Vital Records: Apply for a Death CertificateArizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records
- Order death recordsArkansas Department of Health
- Death Record Online RequestLos Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
- Application for Certified Death Certificate, REV. 12/2025Colorado Department of Public Health and Environmentdated December 1, 2025
- Death certificatesfloridahealth.gov/certificates-records/death-certificatesFlorida Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics
- Georgia Department of Public Health pageGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated September 26, 2025
- Processing Times and Feeshealthandwelfare.idaho.gov/…-death-records/processing-times-and-fees-1Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Death certificatescookcountyclerkil.gov/…-records/birth-death-records/death-certificatesCook County Clerk
- Obtain death certificateIllinois Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records
- How to order death recordsLouisiana Department of Health, Center for Vital Records and Statistics
- Mississippi State Department of Health Revised 02/2026 Form 523Mississippi State Department of Health, Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2026
- Death certificatessouthernnevadahealthdistrict.org/…ams/vital-records/death-certificatesSouthern Nevada Health Districtdated September 30, 2026
- NMDOH Death CertificatesNew Mexico Department of Health
- Death Record Search Application (form 610)New Mexico Department of Health
- NC Death 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)dated February 1, 2025
- HEA 2701 & HEA 2709 (PDF)Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statisticsdated January 1, 2025
- Death RecordsTexas Department of State Health Services, Vital Statistics Section