I Lost My Birth Certificate. What Should I Do?
Table of Contents
- What are Arizona Vital Records?
- Arizona Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Birth Records
- Arizona Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Death Records
- Arizona Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Marriage Records
- Arizona Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Divorce Records
What are Arizona Vital Records?
The Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records is the government agency that collects, stores, issues and preserves most vital records for the state. These include birth, death, and fetal death certificates. Marriage and divorce certificates may be obtained by visiting the Clerk of the Superior Court, where the divorce or marriage was granted. The ADHS Bureau of Vital Records no longer issues certificates same day for walk-in service. Therefore, you must visit the local county health department Office of Vital Records. The ADHS began keeping vital records in July 1909. This office also performs the following services:
- Delayed Birth Registration.
- Foreign-Born Registration.
- Adoptions.
- Putative Father Registrations and Searches.
- Corrections or Amendments of records for births that occurred before 1997 and deaths that occurred before 2008.
Arizona Birth Records
Arizona began keeping track of birth records in 1909. However, they do have a sampling of birth records dating back to 1855. There are many instances where you may need an official certified copy of your birth record to get a driver's license, apply for a passport, obtain an exclusive license, or verify your identity. The Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records is the agency in charge of all Arizona birth records. They allow you to request copies in person, at the local county health department Office of Vital Records, or by mail, phone, fax, or internet through the ADHS Bureau of Vital Records. Arizona employs the VitalChek service for quick and easy access to birth records.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Birth Records
How do I find birth records in Arizona?
Contact the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Recordsto get official certified copies of your birth certificate. They use the VitalChek service, but you can also visit your local county health Office of Vital Records to get them same day in person.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Arizona?
You must be 18 years or older to order a copy of a birth certificate. You can do so by using the VitalChek service or visiting your local Office of Vital Records in the county where you live.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Arizona?
Arizona charges $20 for a certified copy of your birth certificate. However, if you use the VitalChek service, additional fees may apply, especially if you want things expedited.
Who can request birth records?
Anyone requesting a birth record must be 18 years or older. Only certain people can get access to your birth record. The list includes:
- Yourself.
- Your parents.
- Your grandparents.
- Your spouse.
- Any adult children.
- Grandchildren.
- Siblings.
- Legal guardian.
- Conservator.
- Someone with your power of attorney.
- A government agency.
- An attorney.
What birth records are available in Arizona?
Arizona has been keeping birth records since 1909 but also has some limited birth records dating back to 1855.
What information do I need when getting a copy of my Arizona birth certificate?
When ordering a birth certificate, you must provide the following:
- Clear photocopy of the front and back of your valid, signed government photo ID OR have your signature notarized.
- Proof of relationship enclosed if required (birth certificates, certified court documents, etc.).
- Sign the application/Original signature required.
- Include self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Correct fee enclosed.
Where can I find historical vital records in Arizona for genealogy research?
Arizona's State Library, Archives, & Public Records is the agency that stores and maintains historical vital records. If you are doing genealogy research, this is the place to start.
Are Arizona birth records public records?
No. Arizona is a closed record state, and all birth records are kept confidential except to the list of allowable recipients above.
Can I get a refund if my Arizona birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.
Arizona Death Records
Arizona has been keeping death records since 1909. However, they also have a smattering of death records dating back to 1877. The Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of death certificates. They utilize the VitalChek network to make it easy for residents to get copies. Arizona is a closed record state, so you cannot get a copy of someone's death record without proper authorization. They charge a fee for copies but do offer expedited services. Only adults 18 or older can request a copy of an Arizona death record.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Death Records
How do I find death records in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records is the agency in charge of vital records for the state. They allow you to order certificates online through VitalChek. You can also visit your local county health department Office of Vital Records for same-day service.
Are death records public in Arizona?
No. Arizona is a "closed record state." This means that only you or close relatives and legal representatives can get copies of your death records.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Arizona?
A death certificate costs $20 plus $11 for processing. There are additional fees if you need expedited service.
How long does it take to get a copy of an Arizona death record?
If you order through the mail, processing may take five days. You can also visit the county health Office of Vital Records for same-day service or order online.
Who can request death records?
Arizona only allows the following people to order a copy of someone's death certificate.
- Funeral director.
- Spouse.
- Parent.
- Grandparent.
- Adult child.
- Grandchild.
- Sibling.
- Someone with power of attorney.
- Beneficiary for insurance.
- Someone with a court order.
- A hospital.
- Government agency.
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Arizona death certificate?
The list of the required information is different based on who is requesting a certificate. For example, a spouse will need to supply:
- The spouse's name is included in the deceased individual's death certificate.
- The spouse submits a copy of the marriage certificate for the deceased individual and the spouse.
- The spouse submits a signed application.
- The spouse provides valid government-issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
- The spouse submits the appropriate fee(s).
Other requestors may need to supply other information.
Where can I find historical death records in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Vital Records stores all historical vital records for the state. You can check with them to find death records for genealogy research and other purposes.
Can I get a refund if my Arizona death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
Arizona Marriage Records
Marriage records are kept and maintained by the county court where the marriage occurred. You may request them in person or by phone. A certified copy of a marriage license may be necessary to change your name, update records with your credit card company or bank, or even to apply for something new. Thankfully the courts make it easy to get a copy with the Clerk of the Court. You must come with a fee and a few pieces of information when you request one. If you need one older than 1950, contact the Arizona State Archives office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Marriage Records
Are Arizona marriage records public?
Yes. Typically, you can search for a obtain a copy of anyone's marriage license in Arizona.
What Arizona marriage records are available?
Arizona began keeping records in 1909. You can obtain any marriage records as far back as 1950 at the court where the marriage took place. For older marriage records, consult the Arizona State Archives office.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Arizona?
You can visit the court clerk and get a copy, usually within a few minutes. If they have to search for it, or it is located with the Archives office, you may have to wait longer.
How much does an Arizona marriage certificate cost?
Certified copies of marriage records cost $20 each and an additional $30 for each year you want to search beyond the first year.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
When you request a certified copy of a marriage certificate, you must comply with the following requirements:
- "Legal age is 18 or older.
- Proof of age is required. Bring Certified Birth Certificate, or Passport, or Driver's License, or Military I.D.
- Must have your Social Security Number.
- Aged 16 or 17 must have an emancipation order, the parent or guardian who has custody of the person consents to the marriage, and if the person's prospective spouse is no more than three years older than the person.
- The Clerk of the Superior Court is prohibited from issuing a marriage license to a person who is under 18 years of age who does not meet these requirements. As signed by the Arizona Governor, effective August 3, 2018.
- Cost is $83.00 Cash, Local Check, Money Order, Visa, or MasterCard."
How do I get a copy of an Arizona marriage record?
Contact the courthouse where the marriage was filed and speak to the court clerk. You will have to fill out a form and pay a fee then wait for your copy.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in Arizona?
The Clerk of the courts is the person to contact to make any changes to marriage certificates that contain errors. They have a form you can fill out to apply for the amendment.
Arizona Divorce Records
Arizona divorce records are created, stored, maintained, and issued by the county Superior court where the divorce was granted. Many times, in life, you find you need a copy of your divorce decree. Some examples would be changing your name, applying for insurance, proving your identity, and others. Arizona began keeping vital records such as divorces in 1909; however, they have a few older records. If you need a certified copy of your divorce record, the courts are happy to help, but you must pay a fee and provide proper documentation, including identification before they will issue you one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in Arizona?
Yes. Divorce records in Arizona are public record, and you may search and get copies for anyone.
How do I find old divorce records?
The Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records maintains all old vital records for the state, including divorce decrees. You may contact them for any divorces older than 1950.
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
According to the Arizona Secretary of State, to get a copy of your divorce decree, you must "contact the Clerk of the Superior Court for the county in which the divorce was filed in."
How much does it cost for a certified copy of my divorce certificate?
Divorce decree copies cost $20 each, and if you need to search for additional years, it will cost you another $30 per year.
What information is needed to search for an Arizona divorce record?
When requesting a copy of yours or someone else's divorce decree, you will need the names of the parties, the approximate date of the divorce, the county where the divorce was granted, and any other details you can provide to make the search easier.
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 Arizona?
You must contact the state where you were divorced. The state of Arizona only keeps vital records for events that took place within the state.
