Arizona
Arizona Birth Certificate: How to Order, Fees and Who Can Get One
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 8, 2026). · 19 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Bureau of Vital Records issues certified copies of Arizona birth certificates, and county health department vital records offices issue them too. The state fee is $20.00 per certified copy.
You can order online or by phone through VitalChek (the vendor ADHS partners with), by mail to the Bureau in Phoenix, or in person at a county vital records office. For other states, see our guide to birth certificates by state.
Information last verified on October 7, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
This page covers how to order, who is eligible, fees, and corrections for birth certificates registered in Arizona, under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 36 and the ADHS vital records rules in Arizona Administrative Code Title 9, Chapter 19. It is general information, not legal advice.
How to order an Arizona birth certificate
ADHS describes three routes: online or by phone through VitalChek, by mail to the Bureau of Vital Records, and in person through county health department vital records offices. Start from the ADHS birth certificate application page so you reach the official forms and the designated vendor.
Online or by phone through VitalChek
ADHS partners with VitalChek Network, Inc. for online and phone orders, and VitalChek is also the route ADHS names for expedited service. ADHS states that it does not endorse any other internet ordering service.
Other websites that offer to order a birth certificate for you are not the issuing office. Only ADHS and the county vital records offices issue Arizona certified copies, and VitalChek is the only online ordering service ADHS partners with.
By mail
Mail the completed application to the Bureau of Vital Records, PO Box 6018, Phoenix, AZ 85005. Include:
- A copy of the front and back of your valid government-issued photo ID that bears your signature, or have your signature on the application notarized
- Proof of eligibility, if you are not the person named on the certificate or a parent named on it
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
- The exact fee
ADHS accepts a cashier's check or money order made payable to Bureau of Vital Records, or a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card. Do not send cash or a personal check.
In person
In-person service runs through county health department vital records offices. ADHS lists a local office for 15 counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma. ADHS tells applicants to contact their county office to ask about same-day service.
The state Bureau's office is at 150 North 18th Ave., Ste. 120, Phoenix, AZ 85007. ADHS notes that Vital Records opens at noon on the first Friday of each month.
How much an Arizona birth certificate costs
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified birth certificate (each copy) | $20.00 |
| VitalChek processing charge (per online or phone order) | $15.50 |
| VitalChek shipping: USPS standard | $0.00 |
| VitalChek shipping: express courier, 2-3 day | $17.50 |
| VitalChek shipping: express courier, standard overnight | $18.50 |
| VitalChek shipping: express courier, priority overnight | $19.50 |
| VitalChek: UPS alternate delivery location | add $5.00 |
| Request to amend or correct a registered birth certificate | $30.00 |
| Delayed birth registration | $20.00 |
| Certificate of No Record (birth or death) | $20.00 |
The ADHS fee schedule lists a single $20.00 fee per certificate and states no discount for extra copies. County office fees were not reviewed for this article and may differ, so ask your county office before you go.
How long it takes
ADHS does not publish a processing time for mail or online orders on the pages reviewed for this article. Call the Bureau or your county office before you rely on a date. If you need a certificate quickly, ADHS points to two options: county offices for possible same-day service, and VitalChek's paid courier shipping.
Who can get a certified copy
ADHS states that Arizona is a "closed record" state, meaning vital records are not public records. Under A.R.S. § 36-342, a registrar may not permit inspection of a vital record except as authorized by law. Eligibility to order copies is set by A.R.S. § 36-324 and the ADHS rules at A.A.C. R9-19-210 and R9-19-211.
Only people 18 or older may get a certified copy, with exceptions. A registrant who is 16 or 17 and homeless or in Department of Child Safety (DCS) care may qualify, and so may an emancipated or married minor with proof.
ADHS lists these eligible applicants:
- The registrant
- A parent named on the certificate, or a parent proven by an adoption or court order
- The registrant's spouse, with a letter of permission signed by the registrant (notarized, or sent with a copy of the registrant's ID) and a copy of the couple's marriage certificate
- A grandparent, adult child, adult grandchild or adult sibling, each with documents proving the family link (for example, an adult sibling's own birth certificate showing at least one common parent)
- A guardian with a court order, or a conservator
- A person named in a power of attorney, which ADHS treats as valid for 6 months (12 months for a military parent)
- A person named in a court order
- An attorney for the registrant, a parent or a guardian
- An adoption agency acting for biological or adoptive parents
- A DCS out-of-home placement provider, for a child 16 or older (fee waived under A.R.S. § 8-514.06)
Anyone who is not the registrant or a named parent must also submit proof of eligibility. Evidentiary documents in a foreign language need a signed English translation statement.
Certificate types and passports
The ADHS pages reviewed for this article do not say whether Arizona issues a long-form or short-form certified copy, or state which format federal agencies accept. If you need the certificate for a passport, ask the Bureau before you order.
For reference, federal rules at 22 C.F.R. § 51.42(a) require a passport applicant's birth certificate to show full name, place and date of birth, and the parents' full names. It must be signed by the official custodian of birth records, carry the issuing office's seal, and show a filing date within one year of birth.
Correcting or amending an Arizona birth certificate
A request to amend or correct a registered birth certificate costs $30.00. County offices correct and amend births from 1997 to the present. Births before 1997, foreign-born records and delayed certificates are handled only by the state Bureau.
Fixing a typo
A.R.S. § 36-301 defines a correction as a change to fix a typographical error, such as a misspelling or missing or transposed letters or numbers. The registrant (if of legal age or married), a parent named on the certificate, a guardian, or a person with custody may ask for one.
Within 90 days after the birth, you submit an application, ID, a signed affidavit and the fee. At 90 days or more, you also need an independent evidentiary document, such as a hospital or medical record, baptismal certificate or immunization record, or a certified court order.
Changing the registrant's name
The rules depend on the child's age:
- Within 90 days after birth: an affidavit, signed by both parents if both are listed on the certificate
- From 90 days to under one year: the affidavit plus a supporting document created within a year of the birth
- One year or more: a certified court order of name change
A child whose name was left off at registration can be named later under A.A.C. R9-19-208. For the court process itself, see Arizona name change laws.
Adding or changing a father
Under A.R.S. § 36-334, if the mother was not married at the birth and was not married in the 10 months before it, no father is named on the certificate unless both parents file an Acknowledgment of Paternity or a court orders it. A signer may rescind the acknowledgment within 60 days after the last signature.
ADHS requires a court order of paternity instead when the registrant is 18 or older, when one parent is unavailable or deceased, or when a different father is replacing the one listed.
Sex or gender marker
As of the ADHS amendments page read October 7, 2026, a sex or gender marker amendment must be submitted to the State Office. It requires a certified court order, or, under A.A.C. R9-19-208, either a signed and dated statement on a physician's letterhead that the registrant has undergone a sex change operation, or a chromosomal count establishing a sex different from the one on the record. Check with the Bureau for current requirements before you apply.
Registering a birth that was never recorded
Anyone born in Arizona whose birth was not registered within one year can apply for a delayed birth certificate under A.A.C. R9-19-204. The applicant must be 18 or older; a parent applies for a registrant under 18, and a guardian or custodian with an order or an emancipated minor may also apply. ADHS does not accept the application if the person was born outside Arizona or has died.
The process has two steps. First you request a Certificate of No Record ($20.00). Then you submit the delayed registration packet, the application ($20.00) and original evidentiary documents.
The evidence depends on age:
- Ages 1 to 14: an affidavit of the facts of birth, one document made before age 5, and one document showing the mother was in Arizona within 6 months of the birth
- Age 15 and older: an affidavit from a relative at least 10 years older, a document made before age 10, a document at least 5 years old, and a document showing the mother's presence in Arizona
ADHS keeps a delayed file open for six months. If it is not completed, the file is closed and the fees are forfeited. ADHS also has a separate process for Tribal Americans born before 1970.
Adoption
After an adoption is finalized, ADHS amends the birth certificate and seals the original along with the adoption decree or certificate of adoption. Access to the original pre-adoption certificate is governed by A.R.S. § 36-340; see Arizona adoption records for who can obtain it.
Older records and genealogy
Because Arizona is a closed-record state, birth records are not open to the public. ADHS says birth certificates for births at least 75 years ago are available through its genealogy website. A family member doing genealogical research, including a niece or nephew, can also request a non-certified copy of a deceased relative's birth certificate with documents showing the relationship. For how other states handle access, see are birth certificates public records.
Using an Arizona birth certificate abroad
A foreign government may ask for an apostille. According to USA.gov, vital records issued by a U.S. state need an apostille from that state's secretary of state.
This article provides general legal information about Arizona birth certificates, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change, so confirm with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Vital Records, or your county vital records office before you order. Information verified October 7, 2026. For advice about your situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Arizona.
Related
- Birth certificates by state
- Are birth certificates public records?
- Arizona adoption records
- Arizona name change laws
Last updated: October 7, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a birth certificate in Arizona?
ADHS charges $20.00 per certified birth certificate. Online and phone orders through VitalChek add a $15.50 processing charge per order, plus courier shipping if you choose it.
Can I get my birth certificate the same day in Arizona?
ADHS directs applicants to their county health department vital records office to ask about same-day service. The state Bureau does not publish a same-day option on the pages reviewed.
Who can request an Arizona birth certificate?
The registrant, a named parent, and certain relatives and representatives, including a spouse, grandparent, adult child, adult grandchild or adult sibling with proof of the relationship, a guardian, or a person named in a court order. Applicants generally must be 18 or older under A.A.C. R9-19-210 and R9-19-211.
Are Arizona birth certificates public records?
No. ADHS describes Arizona as a closed-record state, and A.R.S. 36-342 bars inspection of vital records except as authorized by law.
How do I correct a birth certificate in Arizona?
Submit a correction or amendment application with ID, an affidavit and the $30.00 fee. If 90 days or more have passed since the birth, ADHS also requires an independent evidentiary document or a certified court order.
How long does it take to get an Arizona birth certificate by mail?
ADHS does not publish a mail processing time on the pages reviewed for this article. Call the Bureau of Vital Records or your county office for a current estimate.
Can I pay with a personal check?
No. ADHS does not accept cash or personal checks. Mail orders take a cashier's check or money order payable to Bureau of Vital Records, or a major credit card.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36 (Public Health and Safety), Chapter 3 (VITAL RECORDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH STATISTICS), Article 3 (Death Registration and Birth Registration Certificate Requirements)
§ 36-324Vital records; copies; accessIn forcecited in 4 of our articles
A. On written request, a local registrar, a deputy local registrar or the state registrar shall issue a certified copy of a registered certificate, except the portion of the certificate that contains medical information, to any person determined to be eligible to receive the certified copy pursuant to criteria prescribed by rules. A local registrar, a deputy local registrar or the state registrar shall issue certified copies of a registered certificate to a licensed funeral director or the funeral director's designee on the funeral director's or designee's written or in-person request. The local registrar, deputy local registrar or state registrar shall provide the certified copies by mail or in person to the funeral director or the funeral director's designee on request. B. A certified copy of a registered certificate has the same status as the registered certificate. C. The United States public health service may receive copies, microfilm and other information from the state registrar to prepare national vital statistics subject to the following limitations: 1.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2021
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Schoeneweis v. Hamner (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2009, 223 Ariz. 169)“…addressed the public’s right to inspect death certificates. A.R.S. § 36-324(A) (2009) provides: On written r…”
- Ball v. Adhs (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2021)“…tal statistics law makes exceptions for certain people, see A.R.S. § 36-324(A), journalists do not fall under those…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: How to Get an Arizona Death Certificate (2026 Guide), Arizona Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One, How to Find a Cause of Death in Arizona (2026 Guide)
§ 36-340Adopted individual; sealed original birth certificate; contact preference and medical history forms; confidentialityIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
A. From and after December 31, 2021 and except as provided in subsection I of this section, the state registrar shall provide to an individual a copy of the individual's original birth certificate that has been sealed due to an adoption and any evidence of the adoption that is held with the original birth certificate, if all of the following are true: 1. The individual is at least eighteen years of age. 2. The individual was born in this state. 3. The individual submits to the state registrar a written request to receive a copy of the original birth certificate. B. The copy of the original birth certificate shall clearly indicate that it is not a certified copy and that it may not be used for legal purposes. C. The fees and procedures that apply to obtaining a copy of a registered certificate apply to obtaining a copy of an original birth certificate pursuant to this section. D. The state registrar shall develop a contact preference form to be filled out by a birth parent, at the birth parent's option, and kept with the original birth certificate as provided in this section. The preference form shall do all of the following: 1.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-02 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 1991
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Arizona Board of Regents v. Phoenix Newspapers, Inc. (Arizona Supreme Court 1991, 167 Ariz. 254)“…gulations promulgated by the Department of Health Services, A.R.S. § 36-340(A). I agree with the majority in Boa…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Arizona Adoption Records: Original Birth Certificates Since 2021 and How to Request One
§ 36-334Determining maternity and paternity for birth certificatesIn force
A. A person completing a birth certificate shall state the name of the woman who gave birth to the child on the birth certificate as the child's mother unless otherwise provided by law or court order. B. The state registrar shall not refuse to register a birth certificate because the birth certificate does not include the name of the father. C. If a father's name is stated on a birth certificate, the father's name shall be stated on a birth certificate as follows: 1. Except as provided in section 25-814, if the mother is married at the time of birth or was married at any time in the ten months before the birth, the name of the mother's husband. 2. If a mother and father who are not married to each other at the time of birth and were not married to each other in the ten months before the birth voluntarily acknowledge paternity pursuant to section 25-812, the name of the father acknowledging paternity. 3. If the state registrar receives an administrative order or a court order establishing paternity, the father's name in the order. D.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36 (Public Health and Safety), Chapter 3 (VITAL RECORDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH STATISTICS), Article 4 (Fees and Vital Record Information)
§ 36-342Disclosure of information; prohibitionIn forcecited in 3 of our articles
A. The state registrar may provide information contained in vital records to persons, including federal, state, local and other agencies, as required by law and for statistical or research purposes. B. Except as authorized by law, a local registrar, a deputy local registrar or the state registrar or their employees shall not: 1. Permit inspection of a vital record or evidentiary document supporting the vital record. 2. Disclose information contained in a vital record. 3. Transcribe or issue a copy of all or part of a vital record.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
Cited in 2 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2021
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Schoeneweis v. Hamner (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2009, 223 Ariz. 169)“…d copy pursuant to criteria prescribed by rales. And A.R.S. § 36-342(B) provides: Except as authorize…”
- Ball v. Adhs (Court of Appeals of Arizona 2021)“…ibing or issuing “a copy of all or part of a vital record.” A.R.S. § 36-342(B).2 And although our vital statistics…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 36 (Public Health and Safety), Chapter 3 (VITAL RECORDS AND PUBLIC HEALTH STATISTICS), Article 1 (General Provisions)
§ 36-301DefinitionsIn force
In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Administrative order" means a written decision issued by an administrative law judge or quasi-judicial entity. 2. "Amend" means to make a change, other than a correction, to a registered certificate by adding, deleting or substituting information on that certificate. 3. "Birth" or "live birth" means the complete expulsion or extraction of an unborn child from the child's mother, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, that shows evidence of life, with or without a cut umbilical cord or an attached placenta, such as breathing, heartbeat, umbilical cord pulsation or definite voluntary muscle movement after expulsion or extraction of the unborn child. 4. "Certificate" means a record that documents a birth or death. 5. "Certified copy" means a written reproduction of a registered certificate that a local registrar, a deputy local registrar or the state registrar has authenticated as a true and exact written reproduction of a registered certificate. 6. "Correction" means a change made to a registered certificate because of a typographical error, including misspelling and missing or transposed letters or numbers.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-04 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at azleg.gov
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Sources and References
- Arizona Department of Health Services: Apply for a birth certificate(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Online ordering options (VitalChek)(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Fee schedule(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Local county health department offices(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Contact us(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records home page(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Who can obtain a birth certificate(azdhs.gov).gov
- A.R.S. § 36-342, Disclosure of vital records prohibited(azleg.gov).gov
- A.R.S. § 36-324, Vital records; copies; access(azleg.gov).gov
- 22 C.F.R. § 51.42, Persons born in the United States applying for a passport (eCFR)(ecfr.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Corrections and amendments to a birth certificate(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Amend a registrant's name(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Amend a birth certificate to acknowledge paternity(azdhs.gov).gov
- A.R.S. § 36-301, Definitions (vital records)(azleg.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Other corrections and amendments(azdhs.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Register a birth / delayed birth certificate(azdhs.gov).gov
- Arizona Administrative Code, Title 9, Chapter 19 (Vital Records)(azsos.gov).gov
- ADHS Vital Records: Adoption overview(azdhs.gov).gov
- USA.gov: Authenticate an official document for use outside the U.S.(usa.gov).gov