Free Reference Guide: Vital Records in All 50 States
A printable quick-reference guide covering every US state's vital records office — addresses, phone numbers, fees, and processing times for birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage records. Updated for 2025.
Free download — no registration required. This guide is provided as a public service. No email address, no signup, no paywall.
What the Guide Covers
The 50-State Vital Records Reference is a printable document designed for quick lookup when you need to contact a state vital records office. For each state it includes:
- Official vital records office name and mailing address
- Phone number for the vital records office
- Current fee for a certified birth certificate copy
- Current fee for a certified death certificate copy
- Estimated processing time for mail-in requests
- Notes on major cities with separate offices (NYC, Philadelphia, etc.)
- Notes on whether the state uses an online ordering system
How to Use the Guide
The guide is organized alphabetically by state. Find your state, note the office address and fee, then download the official request form from the state government website listed. Do not use the guide in place of the official form — forms change, and only official state forms are accepted.
Important Notes Before Downloading
- Divorce decrees are not covered. Divorce records are court documents held by county courts — not state vital records offices. See our divorce decree guide for how to locate county court contacts.
- Fees change annually. Many states update fees at the start of the fiscal year. The guide is updated periodically, but always confirm the current fee with the state office before submitting payment.
- New York City is separate. Births, deaths, and marriages in the five NYC boroughs are handled by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene — a completely separate office from New York State. The guide notes this clearly.
- Connecticut uses town clerks. Connecticut vital records are held at the town level, not the state level. The guide explains the lookup process for Connecticut.
Preview: Sample State Entry
Sample Entry Format
CALIFORNIAOffice: CA Dept. of Public Health – Vital Records
Address: P.O. Box 997410, Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
Phone: 916-445-2684 | Website: cdph.ca.gov
Birth cert fee: $29 | Death cert fee: $24
Processing time: 8–12 weeks (mail); same day at county offices
Online ordering: VitalChek; county offices may have own portals
Notes: LA County and SF County registrar offices are significantly faster for in-person requests
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. No email, no registration, no paywall. We support this site through display advertising (Google AdSense). The guide is provided as a public service and is freely printable and distributable for personal use.
The guide is updated periodically as we verify state fees and office information. We aim to update it at least annually. Always verify the current fee directly with the state office before submitting payment — we note this clearly in the guide itself.
Yes, for personal and non-commercial use. You may print copies, share the PDF, or link to this page. Please do not resell the guide or present it as your own work.