Idaho Vital Records: The 2025 Guide
Complete information for requesting certified vital records in Idaho — office address, current fees, processing times, county shortcuts, and step-by-step instructions for birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce decrees.
Idaho Vital Records Office
Idaho Vital Records — Contact
Address: P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720
Phone: 208-334-5988
Website: healthandwelfare.idaho.gov
Fees: Birth $16 | Death $16 per certified copy
Standard mail processing: 2–4 wks
Birth Certificates in Idaho
Idaho is one of the fastest states for vital records processing, with the state office offering same-day walk-in service when records are available. The fee is $16 per copy. Idaho vital records are held at the state level (Bureau of Vital Records in Boise), though county recorders can sometimes assist with locating older records.
To request a certified birth certificate by mail: download the official request form from healthandwelfare.idaho.gov, complete it with the registrant's full name at birth, date of birth, county of birth, and both parents' full names (including mother's maiden name). Attach a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID. Include a check or money order payable to the Idaho vital records office for $16 per copy. Mail to the address above.
Faster option: Ada County (Boise) residents can request in-person at the state office in Boise. Canyon County (Nampa/Caldwell): 111 11th Ave. S., Caldwell — 208-454-7300. The state office at 450 W. State St., Boise, processes walk-in requests the same day when records are available.
For the complete birth certificate request guide including eligibility rules, handling missing records, and what to do when a record contains an error, see our complete birth certificate guide.
Death Certificates in Idaho
Death certificates in Idaho are $16 per certified copy, issued by the same vital records office. For an estate, order at least 10–15 certified copies when the funeral home files — each bank, insurance company, and government agency requires its own original. See our estate copy calculator for a personalized count, and our guide on getting a death certificate before or right after the funeral for urgent timelines.
Deaths older than 50 years are public record in Idaho — anyone may request a copy. Requests for more recent deaths require proof of an eligible relationship.
Marriage Records in Idaho
Marriage licenses in Idaho are issued at the county level by the County Recorder. To get a certified copy of a marriage certificate, contact that county office directly. If you don't know which county issued the license, the Idaho vital records office can search the statewide marriage index. See our marriage certificate guide for the full process.
Divorce Decrees in Idaho
Divorce decrees are court documents held by the clerk of the county court where the divorce was filed — not by the state vital records office. Contact the county court clerk to request a certified copy of the final divorce decree. The Idaho vital records office can usually identify the county if you don't know it. See our divorce decree guide.
Public Access Rules for Genealogy
In Idaho, birth records become publicly accessible to anyone after 100 years from the birth year. Death records become publicly accessible after 50 years. Within those windows, certified copies are restricted to eligible requestors — immediate family members, legal representatives, and authorized parties. For genealogy research on records within the restricted window, demonstrate your direct-line relationship using a chain of birth certificates and death certificates. See our genealogy research guide for full details.
Frequently Asked Questions
For birth and death certificates, in-person at a county-level office in the county where the event occurred is consistently the fastest option — typically same-day or next-day. Call ahead to confirm walk-in hours. For out-of-state requestors who cannot travel, online ordering through VitalChek (where available) is typically faster than standard mail. Ada County (Boise) residents can request in-person at the state office in Boise. Canyon County (Nampa/Caldwell): 111 11th Ave. S., Caldwell — 208-454-7300. The state office at 450 W. State St., Boise, processes walk-in requests the same day when records are available.
At minimum 10–12 certified copies for a typical estate. More if there are multiple properties, multiple financial institutions, or business interests. Each institution that retains a copy (banks, insurers, courts, DMVs) consumes one certified original. Re-ordering after the fact means another 2–4 wks wait at $16 per copy. Use our estate copy calculator for a personalized breakdown by institution.
Contact the Idaho vital records office at 208-334-5988 to request the amendment/correction form. Minor clerical errors are corrected administratively with supporting documentation (hospital birth records, baptismal records, school records) plus an amendment fee. More significant changes may require a court order. See our birth certificate correction guide for the full process.