How to Get a Replacement Birth Certificate in a Day

Most birth certificates are available within one day at your local health department; however, birth certificates usually must be obtained from the public health department in the town or county in which you were born. Though your birth certificate will likely be ready within an hour, it would be wise to give yourself plenty of time to wait. Most business at the health department involving certificates operates on a first-come first-serve basis, and some departments issue certificates only during certain times of the day. Call your local health department for specific information.

Things You'll Need

• Money to pay fee (amount depends upon your state)
• Appropriate information to locate record
• Proof of identity
• Proof of relationship

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Instructions

Get Your Certificate

• 1

  Be prepared to pay. The typical cost of a replacement birth certificate is between $12 and $20. Your best bet would be to pay by check or money order. Some health departments do not accept cash. Fees are usually called "search fees" and are kept even if your birth certificate is not found.

• 2

  Check your state's laws. Look up your state health department's website to find out if you are legally able to obtain the certificate you want. You can get yours or your child's in any state without any problem. In many states you can also get your spouse's, your parent's or your sibling's.

• 3

  Gather your information. You will need, at a minimum, the full name of the person whose certificate you wish to obtain, as well as that person's mother's full name (including her maiden name), and father's full name. Here is a sample list of requirements from the Alabama Department of Public Health's website:

  full name of person at birth

  date of birth

  sex

  county or city of birth

  hospital of birth (if not in a hospital, state "home")

  full maiden name of mother

  full name of father

  your name

  your signature

  your relationship to the person whose certificate you are requesting

  address where the certificate is to be mailed

  your daytime phone number

• 4

  Call ahead. If you have time, find out which days and times are best to come in and pick up your certificate. Most departments are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. but cannot take applications for same-day certificates after 4:30 p.m. Calling ahead will also give you an opportunity to make sure you have everything you need to obtain your certificate.