Birth certificates in the U.S. can be obtained from the vital records office of the state or territory where the birth occurred. You can request certified copies online, by mail, or in person. Most states require identification and may have specific application forms. An alternative is to use VitalChek, an official online partner handling birth certificate requests for over 450 government agencies nationwide, providing a fast and secure way to order your birth certificate online. For example, in Florida, the Bureau of Vital Statistics provides walk-in, mail-in, and online orders using VitalChek. They require valid photo ID and may have fees for the certificates and additional processing or shipping. If born abroad as a U.S. citizen, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad serves as the equivalent document and can be obtained from the U.S. embassy or consulate. To begin:

• Contact the vital records office of the birth state/county for mail or in-person requests.
• Or use VitalChek online for many states to order conveniently.

Ensure you have the place and date of birth information, proper identification, and payment method ready. This process applies to all U.S. states, counties, and territories.