IDs and records
Who handles getting a copy of my birth certificate?
Who handles it
The vital records office in the state or territory where you were born issues certified copies of your birth certificate.
- Not Federal
- State
- Not Local
Facts checked November 5, 2026 · 2 sources
Why state government
States keep birth records. The federal government does not hand out certificates or other vital records.
What to do next
- Contact your birth state’s vital records office to learn how to order a certified copy online, by mail, or in person.
- Have the city and county where you were born ready when you order.
- If you are a U.S. citizen born abroad, replace your consular report of birth abroad, which serves the same purpose.
In your state
Find your state’s official offices on our state pages.
What varies
Your birth state sets the cost of each copy and how fast you can get it.
Learn the background: How does state government work?