Arizona Birth Records

Arizona began maintaining birth records in July 1909, documenting births and ensuring that every Arizona resident has an official record from the day they are born.

Arizona birth records serve as the official documents that record vital information about a person's birth in the state. These records are important for personal and legal purposes. Arizona issues two types of birth records to persons born in the state - the long-form birth certificate and the short-form birth certificate.

The long-form birth certificate contains detailed information about an individual's birth. It includes the full name of the record holder, date and time of birth, parents' information, signature of the attending physician, date of issue, and seal of the issuing authority. The long-form birth record is required for legal processes where complete information is necessary.

The short-form version provides a summary of the most essential details, such as the name, date of birth, and place of birth of the registrant. It is a condensed version of the birth record. It is less detailed and excludes information such as parental information. It is designed for everyday use, like school enrollments, where brief proof of birth is sufficient.

Birth records may also be authorized copies or information copies. The authorized birth record is the certified, official document that bears an embossed seal and signature of the issuing authority. Certified birth records are valid for all official purposes where proof of identity or citizenship is required.

Informational copies of birth records contain the same basic information as an authorized copy. However, they do not have the official seal or certification of the state. They are meant for informational or research purposes. Therefore, they cannot be used as official identification, nor are they acceptable for legal transactions.

How To Order an Arizona Birth Certificate?

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Bureau of Vital Records maintains records of births from July 1909 to date. You may order the record by mail by filling out the Request for Copy of Birth Certificate form. To order certified copies of birth records, include a valid, signed, government-issued photo ID, proof of relationship, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the fees. It costs $20 to order certified birth records in Arizona. Mail the completed application to:

You may order birth records in person or by mail from your local county health department's Office of Vital Records. Most county health departments offer same-day service for birth records requests. To request certified copies of birth records, complete the birth record request form available on their official website or at the county health department's office. Include all supporting documents with your application and pay the fees. Certified copies of birth records obtained at the local county health department Office of Vital Records cost $20.

For birth records before July 1909, you may check with the local city or town offices of the Arizona State Archives. The State Archives is a valuable resource for historical birth records.

Are Birth Records Public in Arizona?

Birth records are treated as confidential documents in Arizona. Arizona law protects the privacy of individuals by limiting access to birth certificates. This means that, unlike some public records, the general public cannot simply walk in and request a copy of someone else's birth certificate without proper authorization. Access to birth records in Arizona is restricted to persons with a direct, legal, or familial relationship to the person named on the birth record.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Arizona?

Only specific individuals who have legitimate interest or legal relationship with the person named on the certificate can order a copy. Per state law, the following persons are eligible to order certified copies of birth records in Arizona:

• The individual named on the record
• Parents or legal guardians
• Immediate family members, including adult children, spouse, grandparents, adult grandchild, adult sibling
• Authorized representatives, such as persons with power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship
• Legal representatives
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get an Arizona Birth Certificate?

It takes the ADHS Bureau of Vital Records 5 - 7 business days to process mail requests for birth records. While the State Office of Vital Records does not offer expedited processing, your local county health department Bureau of Vital Records provides same-day service for walk-in customers. However, mail requests at the county local health department Office of Vital Records take 5 business days.

Where Can I Find Arizona Birth Records for Free?

Although certified copies of birth records are generally confidential and only available to eligible individuals, there are several ways unauthorized persons can access free or low-cost informational records. The National Vital Records Archives holds older records from various states, including Arizona. The archive provides scanned and transcribed records useful for historical and genealogical research.

Online genealogy platforms like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org provide access to historical records, including birth certificates. These sites have digitized records, transcriptions, and indexes of birth records that can help you trace your family history for free.

Trusted third-party sites like PublicRecords.us compile public record data from multiple sources and provide free access to basic birth record information. The platform provides basic information for both current and older birth records.

When Would I Need My Arizona Birth Records?

Birth certificates are one of the most reliable forms of identification. It establishes your identity, citizenship, and age. Generally, you may need to present your birth certificate in the following situations:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Verify your age when enrolling in school or college
• Obtaining a driver's license or a state ID
• Verify your eligibility at the pools
• Prove your identity in legal processes, such as divorce, child custody, or probate
• Confirm your age and verify your identity during the recruitment process
• Accessing government benefits
• Changing your name or identity documents

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Arizona?

You can obtain a lost, damaged, stolen, or damaged birth certificate in Arizona. To replace your birth records, fill out the official birth certificate request form available on the ADHS website or at your local county health department office. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for mail requests and a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID. If you do not have a state-approved ID, you may need to have your form notarized.

The fee for a certified copy of a birth certificate is $20 per copy. Submit the record in person at your local county health department or by mail to the ADHS. Replacement birth certificate requests are processed within 2 weeks.

When Can the Public Access Arizona Birth Certificates?

Birth certificates are confidential and are not immediately available to the general public. Per state law, birth certificates remain closed to the public for 75 years from the date of birth. During this period, only eligible persons may order certified copies of birth records. After the 75-year confidentiality period, the records become public records. Individuals can access the documents through the Arizona State Archives.

How To Correct an Error on an Arizona Birth Certificate?

You may correct errors on your Arizona birth certificate. You may amend typographical errors, including transposed or missing letters or numbers and misspellings on your birth record. You may also include a first or middle name not recorded at birth. Although the state permits changes to legal names, such corrections require a court order.

To correct your birth certificate, fill out the relevant correction and amendment form. The form must be signed in the presence of a notary. Gather supporting documents, such as hospital cards or certified court orders. Mail the completed application, documents, and fees to the ADHS Bureau of Vital Records or the appropriate county vital records office. The fees to correct birth records are the same statewide. Birth record amendments cost $30.

Does Arizona Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

No. Arizona does not offer a non-binary or gender-neutral option on birth certificates. Currently, state law only allows individuals to amend the gender marker on their birth certificate to reflect either male or female designations. It does not accommodate the gender-neutral marker "X" on birth records or permit individuals to change their gender designations to "X".