How to obtain a birth certificate for your baby and why you may or may not need the application notarized ⬇️
(Keep in mind this is based off my personal experience and knowledge based on where I live. It may vary depending on your county and state).
Did you know that the hospital doesn’t send you home with a birth certificate after you give birth to your baby? Nor do they mail it to you!
“But wait, why? Doesn’t someone come into your room postpartum and have you fill out a bunch of forms in order to obtain your baby’s birth certificate?”
Yes! But that just goes into the database so when you are ready to obtain the birth certificate they will have everything ready for you.
“What’s this nonsense about a notary?”
You only need to get your application notarized if you are requesting a Certified Authorized Birth Certificate purchased by mail or online. If you plan on picking up the birth certificate at the records office (which in my case was at the courthouse) then you just need to show up and ask for it. No extra steps needed. However, wait at least 5 week since the birth as they may not have it ready until then.
“So why do you get yours notarized?”
Because the closest records office to me is 30 minutes away. I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to load up my newborn baby, (who hates the car seat) drive 30 minutes downtown to wait for who knows how long. Sure, the process may be quick but the wait times are unpredictable nonetheless.
“So what do you do instead of going to pick it up in person?”
I got to VitalCheck.com and apply for an authorized birth certificate online. Because I am requesting an authorized certificate and not just a copy my, they require me to print out my application, get it notarized, then mail it in.
“How do you get it notarized?”
I just go on a local Facebook Mom group or Nextdoor and ask “Is there anyone who makes house calls to notarize birth certificate applications?” And I always get a few people messaging me back. The notary then comes to my house, does their stampy stamp thang then heads out. They usually cost anywhere between $25 to $50, but this completely depends on the individual’s rates. You can always meet in a public place if you are more comfortable with that. But again, I am trying to avoid leaving my house at this point 😂
“Is this route easier?”
I personally think so. I can do it all from the comfort of my home and on my time and I don’t have to drive 30 minutes away to the nearest records office.
“Is it more expensive?”
Yes. If you need to get your birth certificate notarized it will be more expensive for the notary and VitalCheck has their own fee.
“Are birth certificates free?”
No. Regardless of which route you go, you will still have to pay for your child’s birth certificate.
“Do I have to get their birth certificate before they turn one.”
No. They already have them in the database. You only need to get the birth certificate when you are ready to get your child’s passport or any other legal document. Some parents don’t realize they never got their child’s birth certificate until their kid is 5 and they need to enroll them in school 😂
As always, please check with your county and state. I am not expert, I am just sharing my experiences in hopes that helps 🤗
Was this helpful? How is the process where you live? Also, why do they have to make it so difficult??? 😭 We just had a baby, why can’t they just mail us the damn thing? Guess the government never misses a chance to nickel and dime us 😉
#newmomtips #momtobe #pregnancy #newparents #pregnancytips #babymusthaves #newborncare #newbornsleep #dadtobe
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Be sure to check the description (hit the 3 little dots at the top right hand corner) as I go into much further detail on what you need to know and do ❤
You only need to get your application notarized if you are requesting a Certified Authorized Birth Certificate purchased by mail or online. If you plan on picking up the birth certificate at the records office (which in my case was at the courthouse) then you just need to show up and ask for it. No extra steps needed.
Bear in mind this is just based on my experience in my county and state
It’s an even more wild process if you have a home birth 🤣
That's anoying as hell
My original one was mailed to my parents in Florida. They saved the envelope. Another reason why Florida is better than California.
This is very complicated. In Ohio, you have to go to the Vital Statistics office to obtain it. Which is super fun when you’re still painful & exhausted!😂
Still don't have either of my kids birth certificates 😅😅 another one coming soon. Man I should get on that lmao
Holy cow! That’s so extra! In WI they mail us a sheet within a few weeks after the birth that contains the child’s information to check over, make corrections, sign and return via mail. We have the option to order birth certificates at that time. Send a check along with the sheet back to vital records and a few weeks later they mail the purchased certificates. The process was pretty much the same with our hospital births and home births.
In NC, at least at hospitals in my area, they give you basically the vital records application forms and you fill them out by hand, then they bring in a typed / printed version of your form based on what you wrote so you can approve it or make changes and then they mail that in for you for both birth certificate and SS number. It can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 4 months for both things to come in the mail though
Note to self: never have a baby in California 🥴 that’s a LOT of work!!!
Your info is SO helpful! 😊
Ummm might just be your hospital?! I live in Ca and have 3 kids and I filled out paperwork at the hospital and all 3 birth certificates were mailed to me 🤷🏼♀️
In Arkansas you get to take it home with you
Are you using a filter
In Ky we fill the forms out and turn them in at the hospital or mail them in with ten bucks and then they come in the mail. Only thing is with this birth is I turned it in at the hospital and have yet to receive one in the mail 🤷🏼♀️ not sure what’s happened.
In Australia you just follow a link with a government website and put all the info about your baby's birth in and pay a fee. The government people then contact the hospital to confirm everything and then send it to you. We got it within a month!
In new zealand u have to go online to register It then order one and wait for it
I’m East Tennessee we fill out the form in the hospital then we have to take it to the health department within 6 weeks and leave with the birth certificate 😅
I know. My son is 3 and we still haven’t gone to get his birth certificate 🤦🏼♀️
Do better California.
In Norway, the birth certificate is digital, and most government agencies and services don't require a physical paper copy. In the rare event that a physical paper copy is required, it can be ordered online with just a few clicks, then arrives by mail a few weeks later. And it's all free, of course.
this is so helpful! I watch you to learn more about raising babies as I will start a family soon with my husband and I had no idea about this. Thank you for sharing your life ❤ you’re like a big sister 🙂
Literally in the hospital right now in Delaware and they have an in house notary who will take care of it for us.
i mean….you chose to have five kids. you can handle going somewhere in person. or have your husband do it. some places are open weekends. imagine if life stopped because of choices. life keeps moving outside.