I Lost My Birth Certificate. What Should I Do?
Table of Contents
- What are Nebraska Vital Records?
- Nebraska Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Birth Records
- Nebraska Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Death Records
- Nebraska Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Marriage Records
- Nebraska Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Divorce Records
What are Nebraska Vital Records?
Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of all vital records for events the occur within the state. They preserve birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. They issue copies printed on special multi-colored security paper with a digitally enhanced seal. These certified copies are used for "providing proof of self and in obtaining records such as a driver's license, social security cards, passports, registering for school, sporting activities, transfer of property, and for collecting retirement benefits or life insurance." This agency allows you to get copies through the mail and online by using their online application or emailing it to their office.
Nebraska Birth Records
Nebraska has been keeping birth records since 1904. Some counties have older records before 1904, but there is no guarantee. Nebraska did not start creating birth certificates until 1912. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of all vital records for the state and issuing birth certificates upon request. Birth records are open to the public, and anyone can search and view records; however, if you want a copy, you must have a "proper purpose." Birth records are helpful when you need to get a driver's license, apply for a passport, attend school, or some other circumstance where you need to verify your identity. They have an online application where you can request copies, or you can download the PDF application and send it in by mail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Birth Records
How do I find birth records in Nebraska?
Anyone can contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records to search records and view birth records. However, you must pay the search fee.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Nebraska?
Anyone with a "proper purpose" may request a copy of a certified copy of a birth record. The burden of proof is on the applicant to prove to the department that such a purpose exists. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records allows you to get copies by mail or submitting an online application.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Nebraska?
The cost for a certified copy of your birth record is $17.
Who can request birth records?
Anyone with a proper purpose can get copies. However, the applicant must prove their eligibility.
What information do I need when getting a copy of my Nebraska birth certificate?
When requesting copies of birth records, you need the following information:
- Child's full name on record. If adopted, list adoptive name and state "adopted."
- Month/day/year of birth.
- City or town of birth/County of birth.
- Father's/Parent's full name at birth. If adopted, list the adoptive father's name.
- Mother's/Parent's full name at birth. If adopted, list the adoptive mother's maiden name.
- Why do you need the record?
- If not your record, how are you related?
- A photocopy of the current government-issued photo ID of the person making the application, i.e., current driver's license."
Where can I find historical vital records in Nebraska for genealogy research?
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records has records dating back to 1904, but some counties have older records.
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records has a form on their website you can use to request a correction to a birth record. It costs $16 to correct a record.
Can I get a refund if my Nebraska birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.
Nebraska Death Records
Nebraska has been keeping death records since 1904. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of death records for all events that occur in the state. They have a downloadable PDF death certificate application form you can fill out and send in with payment to get a copy. Death records are open records in Nebraska, and anyone can search and view records. Anyone with an appropriate purpose, can request certified copies of a death certificate. With stillbirths, only the parents of a fetal death may obtain a copy of a "Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth."
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Death Records
How do I find death records in Nebraska?
Contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records. They allow anyone to search for and view records except those of stillbirths.
Are death records public in Nebraska?
Yes. Anyone can search and view records. However, only people with an approved purpose may request copies of death records in Nebraska.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Nebraska?
It costs $16 for a death certificate in Nebraska. You can request as many copies as you like at the same time.
How long does it take to get a copy of a Nebraska death record?
They allow orders to be placed through the mail, and it takes seven to ten business days for processing.
Who can request death records?
Anyone can search and view death records, but anyone with an "approved purpose" can request copies of death records. This may be someone who is claiming a life insurance policy.
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Nebraska death certificate?
When requesting copies of death records or a search, you need the following information:
- Full name of deceased, if female, list married name or any other name(s) used.
- City or town of death, if the exact date of death not known, indicate a span of years.
- How you are related to the decedent.
- Purpose record will be used.
Where can I find historical death records in Nebraska?
All death records dating back to 1904 are held by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records. Some county records offices have older records, but it is not guaranteed.
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
You can download the form on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records' website and fill it out and mail it with payment to apply for a correction.
Can I get a refund if my Nebraska death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
Nebraska Marriage Records
The state of Nebraska has been keeping marriage records since 1909. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of keeping and issuing marriage certificates. Some counties have older records, but not all. Although marriage certificates are public records and anyone can search them and review the results, only you or your parents can get a copy of your marriage certificate unless the person has an approved purpose and documentation to prove it. You can order marriage certificates through the mail using the downloadable form and paying the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Marriage Records
Are Nebraska marriage records public?
Yes, sort of. They are public records, and anyone can search and review them. However, the only people that can get copies are either party of the couple and their parents.
What Nebraska marriage records are available?
Nebraska has been keeping track of marriage records since 1909. They have access to all of them going back to that year. Some county records offices may have older records.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Nebraska?
When ordering a marriage certificate through the mail, it will take seven to ten working days to process the application.
How much does a Nebraska marriage certificate cost?
Marriage certificates in Nebraska cost $16 each, and you can order as many copies as you like.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
When requesting a copy of a marriage record, you will need the following information:
- Full name at birth of Groom/Party A.
- Full name at birth of Bride/Party B.
- Month/Day/Year of marriage.
- County where the license was issued.
- Why record is needed?
- If not your record, how are you related?
- A photocopy of the current government-issued photo id of the person making the application, i.e., current driver's license.
How do I get a copy of a Nebraska marriage record?
Download the Marriage Certificate Application Form from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records' website, fill it out and mail it back with your payment. In seven to ten workdays, you will get your copy.
What if I didn't get married in Nebraska?
If you were not married in Nebraska, you would have to contact the vital records agency in the state where you were married or the courthouse where your marriage license was filed.
Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Anyone can search and see your marriage certificate, but only you, your spouse, and your parents can get a copy.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in Nebraska?
Contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records by phone or email to ask about the process for correcting marriage certificates.
Nebraska Divorce Records
Nebraska has been keeping track of divorce records since 1909. However, some county records offices may have older records. Divorce records are needed when you change your name or get remarried. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of divorce records, and they issue divorce certificates to eligible parties. You must, however, fill out an application and pay the fee. Nebraska divorce records are public records, so anyone can search and see them, just not get copies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in Nebraska?
Contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records and pay the fee for a search.
How do I find old divorce records?
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records has records going back to 1909. Some counties have older records, but it is not guaranteed.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
Download the form on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records' website, fill it out and mail it in with your fee. Your copy will arrive within seven to ten workdays.
How much does a divorce certificate cost?
A Nebraska divorcee certificate costs $16 each. You can order as many copies as you like at the same time.
What information is needed to search for a Nebraska divorce record?
When requesting a copy of someone's divorce record, you will need the following information:
- Name of husband.
- Name of the wife.
- City or county where the divorce was granted.
- Month/day/year granted.
- Why record is needed?
- If not your record, how are you related?
- A photocopy of the current government-issued photo id of the person making the application, i.e., current driver's license.
If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?
No, all search fees are non-refundable.
What if my divorce took place outside of Nebraska?
If you were not divorced in Nebraska, contact the vital records office in the state where you were divorced or the courthouse where your divorce was granted.
