Nevada

Nevada Birth Certificate: Where to Order, Fees and Eligibility

Independently fact-checkedBy Recording Law Editorial TeamPublished October 8, 202610 min read

Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 8, 2026). · 13 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content

Nevada Birth Certificate: Where to Order, Fees and Eligibility

Key Takeaways

1The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) Office of Vital Records in Carson City issues birth certificates for births anywhere in Nevada.
2Clark County and Washoe County births can also be ordered from the county health districts: Southern Nevada Health District and Northern Nevada Public Health.
3The price depends on where you order: $25 per copy at the state office, $38 for the first copy at Southern Nevada Health District ($25 each additional), $25 per copy at Northern Nevada Public Health, and $45 through VitalChek according to the state's main page.
4VitalChek is the only online vendor the state uses; the state warns about other websites that charge high fees to help you apply.
5You need a direct and tangible interest in the record under NRS 440.650, and every request needs ID.
6A correction costs $45 at the state office, including one certified copy; state sources say to allow 4 weeks, or up to 4 to 6 weeks, once the packet is complete.
7A birth never filed within one year needs a delayed certificate, supported by at least 4 documents from independent sources.

The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) Office of Vital Records issues Nevada birth certificates, and a certified copy costs $25 at the state office. Clark County and Washoe County births can also be ordered from those counties' health districts, which set their own prices, and the state uses VitalChek for online orders. For other states, see our guide to birth certificates by state.

Information last verified on October 8, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

This page covers ordering a certified copy of a Nevada birth certificate, what each office charges, who may order, and how to correct a record or register a birth that was never filed. It applies to births that occurred in Nevada.

Where to order a Nevada birth certificate

Nevada has three issuing offices plus one online vendor. Which one you can use depends on the county of birth.

State Office of Vital Records (Carson City): births anywhere in Nevada. 4150 Technology Way, Suite 104, Carson City, NV 89706; (775) 684-4242; vitalrecords@health.nv.gov. Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except state holidays.
Southern Nevada Health District (Clark County only): Clark County births from 1973 to the present. 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas; (702) 759-1010. For a Clark County birth before 1973, use the state office.
Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe County only): 1001 E. Ninth St., Building B, first floor, Reno; (775) 328-2455.
VitalChek (online): the state's FAQ says VitalChek is the only online vendor it uses. VitalChek also takes phone orders at 877-456-5410.

The state warns that some companies charge customers high fees to "process" or "help apply" for certificates issued by the Department of Health. Order from one of the offices above, or reach VitalChek through the DPBH birth and death records page.

How much a Nevada birth certificate costs

Each office sets its own price, so the cost depends on the route. The figures below come from each office's own page.

Route	Price per certified birth certificate	Source
State Office of Vital Records (mail or in person)	$25 each copy	DPBH forms page and FAQ
Southern Nevada Health District (Clark County births, 1973 to present)	$38 first copy, $25 each additional copy	SNHD vital records page
Northern Nevada Public Health (Washoe County births)	$25 per copy	NNPH birth and death records page
VitalChek (online, via the state)	$45, plus $20 for expedited delivery	DPBH main birth records page

Southern Nevada Health District says its first-copy fee includes $13 for registering certificates with the State Registrar. Northern Nevada Public Health also lists a $10 fee when a search finds no record.

A person who is homeless can request a certified copy at no charge with the state's Application for a Certified Birth Certificate for a Homeless Person, which cites NRS 440.700.

The state's main page lists the $45 VitalChek price, while the state FAQ says certified copies of a birth certificate are $25 each. Northern Nevada Public Health notes that VitalChek charges an additional fee for using its service. Check the total on the VitalChek order screen before you pay.

How to order and how long it takes

Online through VitalChek

Nevada birth certificate: an analog wall clock in a quiet office hallway with a tiled floor

The state uses VitalChek as its only online vendor. Its main page lists $45 per birth certificate, plus $20 for expedited delivery. Expedited delivery is the only expedited option the state describes. You cannot request a correction online.

By mail

Mail a completed birth certificate application with proof of identification and payment. The state office accepts checks, money orders and cashier's checks. You can also pay by credit card with the authorization form and a copy of the cardholder's driver's license. Do not send cash.

Northern Nevada Public Health takes mail orders for Washoe County births and says to estimate 3-4 weeks for processing and receipt.

In person

You can apply at the Carson City office, Southern Nevada Health District in Las Vegas (Clark County births) or Northern Nevada Public Health in Reno (Washoe County births). At the state office, cash is accepted only in person at the customer service window. Southern Nevada Health District does not offer same-day service and does not accept personal checks.

Processing times

The state does not publish a standard processing time for ordinary certificate orders on the pages we reviewed. The published figures are 3-4 weeks for a Washoe County mail order and 4 weeks (state FAQ) or up to 4 to 6 weeks (correction instructions) for a correction once the state has a complete packet. If you have a deadline, call the office you plan to use.

Who can get a certified copy

NRS 440.650 requires anyone ordering a certified copy to have a direct and tangible interest in the record. According to the state's proof list, which applies NAC 440.070, that means a direct relationship by blood or marriage within the second degree of consanguinity, a legal relationship to the person named, or a need for the record for a legal requirement or legal process.

Nevada birth certificate: a clipboard holding a blank application form with a pen across it on a wooden table

The state's proof list names these applicants, with supporting documents where required:

The person named on the certificate
Parents listed on the certificate
Grandparents and children
Siblings who share at least one parent listed on the certificate
Spouses, ex-spouses and domestic partners, with proof
Attorneys, guardians and executors
Adoptive parents with adoption documents

ID requirements

Every request needs ID, except requests from listed government investigative agencies. Provide one valid primary photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, military ID, permanent resident card or tribal ID. If you do not have one, the state accepts two documents from its secondary list instead.

Using the certificate for a passport or REAL ID

For a first U.S. passport, federal rules call for a birth certificate that shows your full name, place and date of birth, and your parents' full names, is signed by the official custodian of birth records, bears the issuing office's seal, and shows a filing date within one year of birth (22 CFR 51.42). For REAL ID, federal rules accept a certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the vital statistics office in your state of birth (6 CFR 37.11).

The Nevada pages we reviewed do not describe separate long-form and short-form versions. If an agency asks for a particular version, confirm with the issuing office before you order.

Correcting or amending a Nevada birth certificate

The state handles corrections through a corrections packet, available on the DPBH forms page. The packet covers birth record corrections and court-ordered changes. The state form cites NAC 440.023 and 440.030.

A correction costs $45, a price in effect since October 29, 2019, and includes one certified copy; each additional copy is $25. Send the packet by mail or leave it in the office's exterior drop box. The state FAQ says to allow 4 weeks once a complete packet arrives, while the packet instructions say up to 4 to 6 weeks; plan on the longer figure. The correction affidavit must be notarized.

The state lists the most frequent reasons it rejects a correction packet:

No fee enclosed
The reason line left blank
Cross-outs, white-out or erasures on the forms
No supporting evidence
The same person signing both the main and the supplemental affidavit

Court-ordered changes, including a legal name change

For a court-ordered change, the state accepts only certified court orders. The court process for a name change is covered in our guide to Nevada name change laws.

Adding a father

A correction affidavit cannot be used to add a parent. Both parents sign a Declaration of Parentage in person, by appointment, at the Carson City office or Southern Nevada Health District; if both cannot attend, a court order establishing paternity is required. Forms mailed in without being completed at one of those two offices are returned unprocessed. The state fee schedule lists $45 for paternities, including a certified copy.

Gestational surrogacy

A birth certificate following a gestational surrogacy requires a certified court order from a Nevada district court. The state says it does not accept out-of-state court orders for this.

Sex designation

The state's birth correction instructions list a "Gender Change" as a correction made by affidavit, submitted by the person of record, a parent or the medical certifier on record. The general correction rules apply: a notarized affidavit and a supplemental affidavit (or a court order in their place), proof supporting the change, a copy of the signer's photo ID, and the $45 fee. The instructions do not say what proof is needed for this type of change, so contact the Office of Vital Records at (775) 684-4242 before you apply.

If a birth was never registered: delayed certificates

A delayed certificate of birth is for a birth that was filed more than one year after the date of birth and has not been filed in Nevada, any other state or any other country. The state's delayed birth certificate packet cites NRS 440.620 and NAC 440.300 to 440.360.

The person named on the record applies if 18 or older; a parent or guardian applies for someone under 18. The process has two steps:

Request a verification that no Nevada birth record exists.
Submit the application with proof of date of birth, birthplace and parentage, using at least 4 documents from independent sources. The packet lists acceptable documents under NAC 440.330, such as a hospital or physician record, a census record, a Social Security record, a school entrance record, a baptismal record or a DD-214. Documents generally must be at least 5 years old.

The state charges $45 to file a delayed certificate, which includes one certified copy, plus $10 for the no-record verification, for $55 in total; additional copies are $25 each. A birth that is being filed within one year, such as a home birth, uses a separate home-birth packet.

Adoption and original birth records

A new birth certificate after an adoption requires a complete Report of Adoption and a certified court order of adoption. The state says adoption orders may be mailed to its Adoptions Desk (ovradopt@health.nv.gov). Access to original birth records is covered in our guide to Nevada adoption records.

Genealogy and older records

The state office offers genealogical searches by appointment only. Each 30-minute appointment costs $10 per name or variant searched. The Nevada pages we reviewed do not say when birth records become open to the public; whether birth records are public records generally is covered in are birth certificates public records.

Marriage certificates and divorce decrees are held by Nevada counties, not the state vital records office. See our guide to Nevada marriage and divorce records.

This article is general legal information about Nevada birth certificates, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change and differ between the state office and the county health districts; confirm with the Nevada Office of Vital Records, Southern Nevada Health District or Northern Nevada Public Health before ordering. Information last verified on October 8, 2026.

Related

Last updated: October 8, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a birth certificate in Nevada?

It depends on the route. The state Office of Vital Records charges $25 per certified copy; Southern Nevada Health District charges $38 for the first copy and $25 for each additional one; Northern Nevada Public Health charges $25 per copy; the state's main page lists $45 for orders through VitalChek.

Where can I order a Nevada birth certificate online?

The state says VitalChek is the only online vendor it uses, and its main page lists a $45 price plus $20 for expedited delivery. Start from the DPBH birth records page rather than a search result, because the state warns about websites that charge high fees to help you apply.

Can I get my Nevada birth certificate in Las Vegas?

Yes, if you were born in Clark County in 1973 or later. Southern Nevada Health District at 280 S. Decatur Blvd. holds Clark County births from 1973 to the present and refers earlier births to the state office. It does not offer same-day service and does not accept personal checks.

Who can get a certified copy of a Nevada birth certificate?

NRS 440.650 requires a direct and tangible interest. The state's proof list names the person of record, parents listed on the certificate, grandparents, children, siblings, spouses or domestic partners with proof, attorneys, guardians and executors, among others.

How do I correct a birth certificate in Nevada?

Send the state corrections packet with evidence and the $45 fee, which includes one certified copy. The state FAQ says to allow 4 weeks once a complete packet arrives and the packet instructions say up to 4 to 6 weeks; the affidavit must be notarized, and corrections cannot be made online.

How do I get a birth certificate if my birth was never registered in Nevada?

Apply for a delayed certificate of birth through the state office. You need a verification that no Nevada record exists, then an application with at least 4 documents from independent sources showing your date of birth, birthplace and parentage. The state packet lists $55 in total: $45 to file, including one certified copy, plus a $10 verification.

Updates

October 8, 2026

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.

Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 440: VITAL STATISTICS

§ 440.650Issuance of certified copy of certificate; limitation; notification concerning documents missing from application.In forcecited in 4 of our articles

1. Upon request, the State Registrar shall furnish any applicant a certified copy of the record of any birth or death registered under the provisions of this chapter. 2. The State Registrar shall not issue a certified copy of a certificate or parts thereof unless the State Registrar is satisfied that the applicant therefor has a direct and tangible interest in the matter recorded, subject, however, to review by the Board or a court of competent jurisdiction under the limitations of NRS 440.170. 3. The State Registrar shall, upon determining that required documents are missing from an application for a certified copy of a certificate of birth, notify the applicant of the deficiency. Such notice must include, without limitation, notice of the additional documents that the applicant must submit. If the applicant is a homeless person who submits on a form prescribed by the State Registrar a statement signed under penalty of perjury that the person is homeless, the State Registrar shall allow the applicant at least 30 days after the date of the notice to submit the missing documents. The State Registrar shall not require the signed statement to be notarized.

Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-29 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at leg.state.nv.us

Also relied on in: How to Get a Nevada Death Certificate (2026), Nevada Death Records: Are They Public + How to Get One, Nevada Marriage and Divorce Records: County by County (2026)

§ 440.700Fees for services and copies of certificates; certificates available without fee to certain persons.In force

1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the State Registrar shall charge and collect a fee in an amount established by the State Registrar by regulation: (a) For searching the files for one name, if no copy is made. (b) For verifying a vital record. (c) For establishing and filing a record of paternity, other than a hospital-based paternity, and providing a certified copy of the new record. (d) For a certified copy of a record of birth. (e) For a certified copy of a record of death originating in a county in which the board of county commissioners has not created an account for the support of the office of the county coroner pursuant to NRS 259.025. (f) For a certified copy of a record of death originating in a county in which the board of county commissioners has created an account for the support of the office of the county coroner pursuant to NRS 259.025. (g) For correcting a record on file with the State Registrar and providing a certified copy of the corrected record. (h) For replacing a record on file with the State Registrar and providing a certified copy of the new record.