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- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Will I receive the certified copies of my birth certificate the same day I apply?
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In most cases, when applying in person at a Maricopa County Vital Registration Office you may be able to receive a certified copy of an Arizona event the same day you make an eligible application.
However, there are some instances when additional time will be needed to process your request. Such instances could include but are not limited to the following examples:
- Requesting corrections to the certificate
- Providing additional factual documentation to meet eligibility requirements
- Need to make payment in the accepted form
- I ordered my birth certificate, why am I receiving a certified copy?
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The original birth record is maintained permanently in the state records archives. Offices of Vital Registration “issue” certified copies of these original certificates. These certified copies are official, meet all legal purposes are printed on special paper that contains a raised and embossed seal and the official registrar’s signature.
- How do I request a correction to an Arizona birth certificate prior to 1997?
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These corrections may be requested from the
- Why does our old address still appear on my Arizona birth certificate?
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The information provided at the time the birth event was recorded is the information listed on the birth certificate. This information is for statistical purposes only and it is acceptable that the address on the birth certificate is not your current address. In other words, you do not need to “correct or amend” this information. However, please make certain you provide your current mailing address on your application for certified copies if seeking to have your order mailed to you.
- How long does it take after a child is born at a hospital for the birth certificate to be available?
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For children born in hospitals, certified copies of these birth events may be available as soon as 7 business days from the date of birth. The hospital has 7 business days after the child is born to transmit the birth certificate information to our office, the Maricopa County Office of Vital Registration. Our office ensures that the filing was complete; however, if parents filed paternity paperwork at the hospital, recording the birth certificate may take up to 30 days before certified copies will be available for purchase.
- How long does it take after a child is born at home or outside of a hospital for the birth certificate to be available?
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For children born at home or outside a licensed birthing facility or hospital, parents and/or licensed midwives need to register a home birth event within 7 days of the event to our office, the Maricopa County Office of Vital Registration. Our office will verify the information prior to registering this birth and preparing the certificate for certified copies. Please allow time if the birthing information provided to the Office of Vital Registration was incomplete or needs to be completed and/or verified. Our Deputy Local Registrars are also available by telephone to assist you with further questions, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at 602-506-6805.
- Why haven’t I received a certified copy of my child’s birth certificate in the mail?
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You must apply for a certified copy of your child’s birth certificate with the Office of Vital Registration; certified copies are not provided by hospitals.
- Is there a fee for the 1st certified copy of an Arizona birth certificate?
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The 1st certified copy of an Arizona Birth Certificate costs $20. All additional copies are $20 each. Any documentation received from a hospital and/or a midwife are not official certified copies of the Arizona birth certificate.
- Is there a fee associated with obtaining a copy of my child’s birth certificate?
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Yes, each certified copy is $20. To make a correction and receive 1 certified copy of the corrected certificate is $30.
- How do I obtain an Apostille for a birth certificate?
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An Apostille is a specific authenticating certificate that is required by certain countries for establishing a live birth. In Arizona, the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office prepares this document and information is available on the
- What do we need certified copies for?
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Certified copies of death certified copies for Arizona death certificates are important documents and often are needed when managing wills and trusts, tax filings, amending real estate deeds, bank records, for benefits enrollment and other legal matters.
- Who may apply for copies of Arizona death certificates?
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Arizona is a “closed” records state which means only certain parties may receive a copy of this important document. State law explains that only “eligible” applicants may apply for a certified copy of this important document. This is established by providing direct proof of relationship to the Decedent and may also require establishing the applicant’s “legal or other vital interest” in the death certificate. Common examples of establishing legal or other vital interest could include the applicant being named as a beneficiary in Will or Trust or the Decedent and the applicant being named jointly on financial documents. Please read the eligibility requirements tab below for more information.
- Where do I find your offices?
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Our offices are located valley wide and accessed easily from major highways. We are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please arrive by 4 p.m. if you are needing to discuss a possible correction with one of our Deputy Local Registrars.
- Need a certified copy of a death certificate from a different state?
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If you are in need of a death certificate from a different state you will want to view the
- How long does it take after a person passes away for the death certificate to be available?
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In Arizona, a funeral home or other similar agency has up to 7 days to submit complete and accurate information regarding a death in our county. Next and in most cases, a death certificate is available approximately 3-5 business days after these events. However, certain circumstances may delay this time frame. Please contact the funeral home or other agency with whom you are communicating about this death event to learn if they have completed their filing.
- I thought I was able to receive 2 “free” copies of the death certificate?
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The federal government in association with the Veteran’s Affairs Office and the Social Security Administration assist eligible family members filing claims (VA or SSA) for survivor benefits and burial benefits. Eligible parties may request a special certified copy with a stamp, “For Government Use Only” for use with filing these unique government claims. These copies will not be accepted by other agencies as official certified copies. *Note: The Social Security Administration is notified electronically once someone has passed and typically no longer requires these specially stamped certified copies. Again, please know, these certificates will not be accepted by any other agency.
- Will I receive the certified copies of an Arizona death certificate the same day I apply?
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In most cases, when applying in person at a Maricopa County Vital Registration Office you may be able to receive a certified copy of an Arizona event the same day you make an eligible application. However, there are some instances when additional time will be needed to process your request. Such instances could include but are not limited to the following examples:
- Requesting corrections to the certificate
- Providing additional factual documentation to meet eligibility requirements
- Need to make payment in the accepted form
- How can I correct information on an Arizona death or fetal death certificate?
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The procedure to make changes from changing or adding a name spelling, to correcting errors in the information provided at the time of registration varies with type of change requested and how recently the certificate was filed.
Please review the information on the Death Certificate Corrections page for further details regarding the most commonly requested correction changes and review or print out the forms you may need to prepare before submitting your requests.
Our Deputy Local Registrars are also available by telephone to assist you with further questions, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 602-506-6805.
- Who may apply for copies of Arizona death certificates?
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Arizona is a “closed” records state which means only certain parties may receive a copy of this important document. State law explains that only “eligible” applicants may apply for a certified copy of this important document. This is established by providing direct proof of relationship to the Decedent and may also require establishing the applicant’s “legal or other vital interest” in the death certificate. Common examples of establishing legal or other vital interest could include the applicant being named as a beneficiary in Will or Trust or the Decedent and the applicant being named jointly on financial documents.
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Office of Vital Registration
Phone: 602-506-6805
Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Please arrive by 4 p.m.
Multiple Locations
Maricopa Vital Records Website