The birth certificate application form from DC Health (Department of Health) is the mail-in request for a certified copy of a District of Columbia birth certificate, processed by DC Vital Records in partnership with VitalChek. It is meant only for a person entitled to the certificate: someone named on it, or a person who sends the documentation the form lists. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the application reaches DC Vital Records by mail, as described below, and DC Health publishes the original PDF.
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What is Birth Certificate Application Form – District of Columbia?
The Birth Certificate Application Form is the DC Health form used to request a certified copy of a District of Columbia birth certificate by mail. It records who the certificate is for, who is applying, and how the order is paid and delivered.
The printed title is "Birth Certificate Application." The form is issued by DC Health (Department of Health), and the instructions on it say that LexisNexis VitalChek Network Inc. is in partnership with the District of Columbia Department of Health to enable enhanced electronic processing of mail-in vital record applications.
The form is built in five steps: certificate information (Step 1), your information and shipping address (Step 2), cost and delivery method (Step 3), payment information (Step 4) and mailing instructions (Step 5). Its cover instructions cover the identification you must send, the extra documents some applicants need, and the mailing address.
Access is restricted. Under D.C. Official Code § 7–231.25 (e)(2), the Vital Records Division may issue a certified copy only to an applicant entitled to the certificate, and the form says it should be used only by such a person. The D.C. Registrar may ask for more documentation at any time to help determine identity or eligibility.
If the record you requested is not found, a "Certificate of Search" is issued instead.
Who needs to file Birth Certificate Application Form – District of Columbia?
The people who may receive a DC birth certificate are those named on it (Mother/Parent, Father/Parent, or Adult Child) and persons entitled under the chart printed on the form. Anyone else is not eligible, and the form says it should be used only by a person entitled to the certificate.
If you are not named on the certificate, you must send extra documentation with the application to prove your relationship or legal need:
- Sibling or Adult Child: your certified birth certificate supporting the relationship.
- Grandparent: your child's birth certificate supporting the relationship.
- Adult Grandchild: your birth certificate and your parent(s)' birth certificate.
- Legal Guardian/Custodian: a certified court order naming you.
- Social Worker, Attorney, Power of Attorney, Law Enforcement or agency: the letters, licenses, retainer, notarized power of attorney or court documents listed on the form.
For births that occurred in DC you do not need to provide your own certificate as proof; for births outside DC you need a certified birth certificate. A separate application is required for each individual certificate requested.
When to file Birth Certificate Application Form – District of Columbia
Send the application when you need a certified copy of a DC birth certificate; the form prints no filing deadline. Each certificate requires its own application, with its own VitalChek Processing Fee. Identification must be current, since expired IDs are not accepted.
After mailing, the form asks you to allow 5 - 7 business days for the application to be received before you call customer service at 1-877-572-6332 with questions. The delivery section also notes that processing time may take 7-10 business days. For expedited order placement and processing, the form points to www.VitalChek.com.
Documents you need
- One current Primary ID: passport or passport card, state-issued driver's license, state-issued non-driver's ID card, Employment Authorization Card, Permanent Resident Card, Military ID Card, Law Enforcement ID, Department of State Card or Government Employee ID.
- At least two Secondary IDs from the form's list, sent as legible photocopies or electronic images; expired IDs are not accepted.
- Secondary ID options: copy of signed Social Security card, unexpired vehicle registration/title, Social Security disbursement statement, previous year's W2, or certified court documents.
- Secondary ID options with date limits: utility bill dated within the last 60 days; pay stub within the last 30 days; hospital newborn discharge document for a birth within the last year.
- Secondary ID option: official correspondence from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Evidence of a legal name change, if the name on your ID does not match the name on the certificate: certified marriage certificate, certified divorce decree or certified court order showing the name history.
- Sibling or adult child: your certified birth certificate supporting the stated relationship; not needed for births that occurred in DC.
- Grandparent: your child's birth certificate supporting the stated relationship; adult grandchild: your birth certificate and your parent(s)' birth certificate.
- Legal guardian or custodian: a certified court order naming you as legal guardian or legal custodian.
- Social worker: typed letter on your firm's letterhead authorizing retrieval, your unexpired government-issued photo ID, valid social worker license and a signed DC Vital Records application attesting to the client's identity.
- Attorney: copy of retainer agreement, bar card and a typed letter on firm letterhead authorizing retrieval of the record.
- Power of attorney: a notarized, specific and limited Power of Attorney limited to five (5) business days and requesting a certified birth certificate.
- Law enforcement or agency: typed letter on agency letterhead showing your name and the administrative purpose or direct and tangible interest, or a DC Superior Court subpoena or court order, plus your unexpired government-issued photo ID.
- Payment: credit card information, personal check or money order payable to VITALCHEK; do not send cash.
How to fill out Birth Certificate Application Form – District of Columbia
Check eligibility and ID rules
Read the cover instructions first. Confirm you are named on the certificate or entitled under the chart, and gather 1 Primary ID, at least 2 Secondary IDs and any relationship documents.
Enter the child's name at birth
In Step 1, under Full Name of Child at Time of Birth (Certificate Holder), enter the first name, middle name, last name and suffix.
Enter the parents' names
Enter Father's Full Name (first, middle, last, suffix) and Mother's Full Name (first, middle, maiden last name).
Add birth details and reason
Enter the Date of Birth as MM/DD/YYYY and the Hospital, mark the Gender (Male or Female) and whether the person is Still Living (Yes or No). Then state the Reason for Request.
Enter your applicant information
In Step 2, enter your full name, street address, city, state and ZIP code, your relationship to the person named on the certificate, your e-mail address and your daytime phone number.
Add a different shipping recipient
Complete Name and Address to Send Certificate, with the Ship To Address, city, state and ZIP code, only if it differs from your own details.
Set copies and delivery method
In Step 3, enter the number of copies (the form shows a first copy plus additional copies, max 5) and choose one delivery method. Add the totals in A, B and C to get the Total Amount Due.
Select the payment method
In Step 4, mark Credit Card, Personal Check or Money Order. For a card, enter the number, expiration date, cardholder's signature and date; for a check or money order, make it payable to VITALCHEK.
Sign and date the application
Sign as the applicant and enter the Date of Application in Step 2. Leave the Order # box alone; it is for VitalChek use only.
Review, download and assemble
Check that names and dates match your ID, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the form, IDs, any required documents and payment, and submit them as described under How to submit.
How to submit Birth Certificate Application Form – District of Columbia
You submit the signed application by mail to VitalChek's mail service for DC Vital Records; the form also points to www.VitalChek.com for expedited order placement and processing.
- By mail: Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: DC Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913. Include the signed form, your identification, any additional documentation your relationship requires and your payment.
- Expedited orders: visit www.VitalChek.com.
Do not include a pre-paid express mail envelope; the form says it causes a delay in delivery. Choose one delivery method in Step 3. UPS will not deliver to a P.O. Box.
Payment is by credit card, personal check or money order. Do not send cash. Checks and money orders are payable to VITALCHEK, and each application needs its own payment. Credit card charges appear as VCN DC VITAL RECORDS. The form lists the fee amounts; the VitalChek Processing Fee is non-refundable. For questions, call 1-877-572-6332.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending only one ID. The form requires 1 Primary ID and at least 2 Secondary IDs for each certificate requested.
- Submitting an expired ID; the form states that expired IDs will not be accepted.
- Not providing evidence of a legal name change when the name on your ID differs from the name on the certificate.
- Applying when you are not named on the certificate and leaving out the relationship documents the chart requires, such as a certified court order for a legal guardian.
- Putting several individuals' certificates on one application; a separate application and a separate VitalChek Processing Fee are required for each.
- Enclosing a pre-paid express mail envelope, which the form says delays delivery.
- Choosing UPS delivery with a P.O. Box as the ship-to address; UPS will not deliver to a P.O. Box.
- Mailing cash, or making a check or money order payable to someone other than VITALCHEK.
- Leaving out the signature or the date of application in Step 2, or the cardholder's signature when paying by credit card.
Frequently asked questions
What is the birth certificate application form for DC?
It is the DC Health form for requesting a certified copy of a District of Columbia birth certificate by mail. It covers the certificate details, your information, the number of copies, delivery and payment, and is processed through DC Vital Records with VitalChek.
Who can request a DC birth certificate?
The persons named on the certificate (Mother/Parent, Father/Parent or Adult Child) and persons entitled under the form's chart, such as a sibling, grandparent, adult grandchild, legal guardian, social worker, attorney, power of attorney holder or law enforcement. Non-named applicants must send relationship documents.
What ID do I need to send with the application?
One current Primary ID, such as a passport, driver's license or Permanent Resident Card, and at least two Secondary IDs, such as a signed Social Security card copy or a utility bill dated within the last 60 days. Expired IDs are not accepted.
Where do I mail the DC birth certificate application?
Mail it to Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: DC Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913, with ID, any extra documentation and payment. Do not include a pre-paid express mail envelope. Expedited orders are placed at www.VitalChek.com.
Can I fill out the DC birth certificate application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not send the application: you mail it to DC Vital Records, as the form instructs, with your identification and payment.
How do I pay for a DC birth certificate?
Pay by credit card, personal check or money order; do not send cash. Make checks and money orders payable to VITALCHEK and submit separate payment for each application. The form lists the amounts; contact VitalChek at 1-877-572-6332 to confirm current charges.
What happens if DC cannot find the birth record?
A "Certificate of Search" is issued instead of a birth certificate. Because the request was processed and searched, the Agency Certificate Fee and the VitalChek Processing Fee are non-refundable.
How long should I wait before calling about my application?
Allow 5 - 7 business days for your application to be received before calling customer service at 1-877-572-6332. The delivery section also notes that processing may take 7-10 business days.
What if my ID name does not match the name on the certificate?
Send evidence of a legal name change with the application. Acceptable evidence includes a certified marriage certificate, certified divorce decree or certified court order showing the history of changes to the name(s) on the certificate.
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