All County Vital Records Offices now have the ability of issuing birth records for anyone born in Georgia since 1919. Previously, records were only available from the county where the birth occurred, but through the Georgia Vital Events Registration System, records are now available for births occurring in any Georgia county.

Who can receive a certified copy of a birth certificate?

• The person named on the certificate- If the person named on the certificate (i.e. the registrant) is the requestor, that person must provide valid photo identification at the time of the request.
• The parent(s) named on the birth record- Must provide valid picture identification.
• An authorized legal guardian or agent- Any person who has legal custody or control of a minor child must provide a certified copy of the court order establishing guardianship and legal custody.
• Grandparents of the person named on the certificate- Must provide proof of relationship such as the birth certificate of the registrant’s parent.
• An adult child or adult sibling of the person named on the certificate- Must provide proof of relationship by providing a copy of his or her birth certificate listing one of the same parents, along with his or her valid government issued picture identification which includes signature.
• The spouse of the person named on the certificate- Must provide a copy of the marriage certificate, a photo copy of the spouse’s picture identification, which includes the spouse’s signature, with a notarized letter from the spouse giving permission.
• Attorney-Must represent an immediate family member and provide a notarized letter on letterhead signed by the attorney; provide bar number indicating reason for the request and whom they represent; provide supporting documentation with the fee; provide a notarized release from the biological mother, in the event of an adoption.
• State or Federal Government Officials-The State Registrar or the local custodian may disclose data from Vital Records to authorized representatives of Federal, State, or County agencies of government which request such data in the conduct of their official duties.

What must you provide to receive a certified copy of a birth certificate?

The person requesting a certified copy of a birth record must provide the appropriate fee and a signed request that includes the following information:

Through Mail: (Most mail requests are processed and mailed the same day they are received.)

• Full name on the birth certificate
• Date of birth (month, day, year)
• Place of birth (hospital, city, county)
• Full name of mother (include mother’s maiden name)
• Father’s name (if listed)
• Relationship to the person named on the birth certificate request
• Mailing address with phone number
• A photocopy of your picture I.D. (Georgia I.D. cannot be expired more than one year. Out of state I.D. cannot be expired.)
• Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
• Enclose cashier’s check or money order made payable to Vital Records for the number of certificates requested
• Must be signed by the person requesting the record

In Office:

• A photocopy of your picture I.D.
• Cashier’s check or money order made payable to Vital Records, debit/credit cards, and cash accepted

What are the fees?
One certified copy $25
Additional certifications of the same record ordered at the same time $5

For information on how to obtain vital records outside Georgia visit http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm