The Colorado birth certificate application is the form Colorado Vital Records, part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), uses to order certified copies of a birth certificate by mail. It is for the person named on the certificate and for relatives or representatives with a proven relationship, who sign it and enclose identification, any required proof of relationship and payment. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the agency receives it only by mail, as described below.
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What is Birth Certificate Application – Colorado?
The Birth Certificate Application is the Colorado Vital Records form for requesting a certified copy of a Colorado birth certificate. The applicant completes five steps on it, signs it, encloses identification and payment, and mails it to the address printed on the form.
Colorado Vital Records is part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The form identifies the person on the certificate (the registrant), the applicant and the address where the certificate will be shipped. It also lets the applicant choose the number and type of copies: certified copies, additional copies, heirloom copies and an apostille. A delivery method is mandatory.
The form carries a notice under Colorado Revised Statutes 25-2-118: the applicant must have a direct and tangible interest in the record. Obtaining a record under false pretenses carries a fine, imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or both.
An adoption option is built in. Only an adoptive parent or the adopted person may sign it, and only if the statement "ISSUED PURSUANT TO ADOPTION" should appear on the certificate.
The agency's page on delayed birth registration also refers to this application: to find out whether a birth record exists, the requester submits a complete birth certificate application with identification and fees. The form is not the application to register a delayed birth certificate; that is a separate application.
Who needs to file Birth Certificate Application – Colorado?
Certified birth certificates may be issued to the people listed on the form's Proof of Relationship section:
- the registrant (the person named on the certificate);
- parents;
- stepparents;
- adult children;
- a spouse;
- siblings;
- a legal guardian.
Legal representatives of any of these must present proof of their client relationship. The form says it should be used only by a person named on the Colorado Vital Records certificate or by someone with a proven relationship from that list. Parents and the registrant do not need proof of relationship. Everyone else must supply it if their name is not on the birth certificate, for example a marriage certificate, a birth certificate or court orders. The agency lists the complete eligibility rules on its identification and eligibility page.
If you cannot provide acceptable identification, the form suggests asking a spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling or adult child who can provide it to request the certificate. If the person on the certificate is deceased, the request must include a copy of the death certificate.
When to file Birth Certificate Application – Colorado
Submit the application whenever you need a certified copy of a Colorado birth certificate; the form prints no due date. Check that your identification is not expired before you mail it, because expired documents are not accepted. The form's delivery section warns that processing time may take up to 21-25 business days. For expedited order placement and processing, the form points to www.VitalChek.com.
If you are searching for a birth record that may not exist, the agency's page says a complete application with identification and fees starts a search. If no record is found, you receive a Notification of No Record letter with the instructions and application for a delayed birth registration. That separate application must be made within ONE YEAR of the issuance date on the Notification of No Record letter.
Documents you need
- Proof of identity, primary list: one current ID, such as a driver's license or state ID card (U.S. DMV), a U.S. or foreign passport, a Permanent Resident Card or a U.S. military ID (front and back). Expired documents are not accepted.
- Proof of identity, secondary list: two documents, only if you have no document from the Primary List. Examples are a marriage certificate, a Social Security card, a Medicare card or a paycheck stub issued within 3 months.
- An expired Primary List document counts as a secondary document only if it expired no more than six months ago; documents expired longer are not accepted.
- Proof of relationship, if your name is not on the birth certificate: for example a marriage certificate, a birth certificate or court orders. Parents and the registrant are excluded from this requirement.
- Proof of client relationship, if you are a legal representative of an eligible requester.
- A copy of the death certificate, if the person named on the birth certificate is deceased.
How to fill out Birth Certificate Application – Colorado
Confirm you are eligible to request
Check that you are the registrant, a parent, stepparent, adult child, spouse, sibling or legal guardian, or a legal representative of one of them. If your name is not on the certificate, get proof of relationship ready.
Enter the registrant's birth information
In STEP 1, enter the full name of the child at time of birth, then Mother/Parent A and Father/Parent B with the name prior to first marriage. Add the date of birth in MM/DD/YYYY format, city and county of birth and sex.
Answer the deceased question
Check Yes or No for whether the person is deceased. If Yes, you must provide a copy of the death certificate.
Use the adoption option if it applies
Only an adopted person or an adoptive parent may sign here, and only to have "ISSUED PURSUANT TO ADOPTION" appear on the certificate. Enter the number of copies to be issued with that statement; for an adopted person, provide adoptive information in STEP 1.
Sign and date the penalties statement
Read the notice about penalties for obtaining a record under false pretenses, then sign next to Sign Here and enter Today's Date.
Enter your information and shipping address
In STEP 2, enter your full name, street address, relationship to the person named on the certificate, e-mail address and daytime phone number. Enter the name and address to send the certificate, which must ship to the applicant, and the Reason for Request.
Choose copies and delivery method
In STEP 3, enter the copies you want in A: certified copy, additional copies, heirloom copies and apostille. Section B lists the VitalChek processing and handling charge. Select exactly one delivery method in C and total A, B and C.
Complete the payment information
In STEP 4, select credit card or check or money order payable to VitalChek. For a card, add the card number, expiration date and cardholder signature. Do not send cash.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check every step, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the signed form, ID, proof of relationship if needed, death certificate if needed and payment for mailing as described under How to submit.
How to submit Birth Certificate Application – Colorado
Colorado Vital Records takes this application by mail, and the form points to VitalChek for expedited orders.
- By mail: send the signed, completed form with your ID, any proof of relationship, a copy of the death certificate if the person is deceased, and payment to: Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: Colorado Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913.
- Expedited orders: for expedited order placement and processing, the form directs you to www.VitalChek.com.
Fees apply, including a VitalChek processing and handling charge and a delivery charge. Pay by credit card or by personal or business check or money order made payable to VitalChek. Do not send cash. Include separate payment for each application. If you send several applications at once to the same delivery address, include payment for only one delivery method. Check the form for current amounts.
You must select a delivery method. UPS does not deliver to a P.O. Box. Do not include a pre-paid express mail envelope. The certificate must be shipped to the applicant. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting an incomplete form; the instructions say the request must be completed in full, typed or printed clearly.
- Mailing the application without a copy of your ID, or with an expired document. Expired documents are not accepted.
- Sending a document the form says it cannot accept, such as a Matricula Consular Card, a novelty ID card, an IRS-ITIN card or letter, or a souvenir or hospital birth certificate.
- Leaving out proof of relationship when your name is not on the birth certificate and you are not the registrant or a parent.
- Leaving out the death certificate when you mark that the person named on the certificate is deceased.
- Skipping the signature in Step 1 or the cardholder signature when paying by credit card.
- Not selecting a delivery method in Step 3, or choosing UPS for a P.O. Box address; UPS will not deliver to a P.O. Box.
- Sending cash, or combining payment for several applications. The form says not to send cash and to submit separate payment for each application.
- Signing the adoption option when you are not the adopted person or an adoptive parent, or when you do not want "ISSUED PURSUANT TO ADOPTION" to appear on the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Colorado birth certificate application used for?
It is the Colorado Vital Records form for requesting a certified copy of a Colorado birth certificate. You complete five steps, sign it, enclose ID and payment, and mail it. It can also order additional copies, heirloom copies and an apostille.
Who can request a certified Colorado birth certificate?
The registrant, parents, stepparents, adult children, a spouse, siblings or a legal guardian. Legal representatives of any of them must show proof of the client relationship. Parents and the registrant need no proof of relationship; others do if their name is not on the certificate.
What ID do I need with the birth certificate application?
Enclose a copy of one Primary List document, such as a driver's license, passport or state ID. If you have none, submit two from the Secondary List. Expired documents are not accepted, and the form lists IDs it cannot accept, such as a Matricula Consular Card.
Where do I mail the Colorado birth certificate application?
Mail it to Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: Colorado Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913, with your ID, any proof of relationship and payment. For expedited placement and processing, the form directs you to www.VitalChek.com.
How long does it take to get a Colorado birth certificate?
The form's delivery section says processing time may take up to 21-25 business days. For expedited order placement and processing, the form points to www.VitalChek.com. Your choice of delivery method is a separate selection in Step 3.
Can I fill out the birth certificate application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, is not affiliated with Colorado Vital Records and does not submit the form; you mail it to the agency or use VitalChek as the form describes.
How do I pay for a Colorado birth certificate by mail?
Fees apply. Pay by credit card or by personal or business check or money order made payable to VitalChek. Do not send cash, and submit separate payment for each application. See the form for current amounts.
What if the person on the birth certificate has died?
Check Yes on the deceased question in Step 1 and enclose a copy of the death certificate. You still need your own ID, and proof of relationship if your name is not on the certificate.
What if no birth record is found?
If you are searching for an older birth and no record is found, you receive a Notification of No Record letter with instructions and an application to register a delayed birth certificate. That application must be made within ONE YEAR of the letter's issuance date.
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