Birth Certificate Eligibility

If the registrant is at least 16 years of age and does not have a residence or is at least 16 years of age and is in the custody of the Department of Child Services (DCS), the registrant may receive a certified copy of their birth certificate without the signature of the registrant’s parent, guardian or foster parent. To receive a certified copy of the birth record, the registrant must submit:

• A signed application
• A valid, government-issued identification or notarized signature on the application
• The appropriate fee(s)

The registrant is eligible to receive a certified copy of their birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• The registrant is over 18 years of age.
• The registrant submits a signed application
• The registrant provides valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
• The registrant submits the appropriate fee(s).

If the registrant is less than 18 years of age, documentation that the registrant is emancipated, according to A.R.S. Title 12, chapter 15, or married is required (i.e. a certified court order documenting the registrant has been emancipated or a marriage certificate proving the registrant is married.)

Parents of a child are eligible to receive a certified copy of a birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• The parent is named on the birth certificate.
• If the parent is not listed on the birth certificate, either:
  • A certified copy of a court order of adoption or certificate of adoption for the registrant that names the applicant as the registrant's parent.
  • A certified copy of a court order that names the applicant as the registrant's parent.
• The parent submits a signed application.
• The parent provides valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
• The parent submits the appropriate fee(s).

The spouse of a registrant is eligible to receive a certified copy of his/her spouse's birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• The spouse provides a notarized letter of permission signed by the registrant. If the letter is not notarized, a copy of the registrant's valid government issued identification must be presented along with the letter.
• The spouse/applicant provides a copy of the marriage certificate for the registrant and spouse.
• The spouse submits a signed application.
• The spouse submits valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
• The spouse submits the appropriate fee(s).

The grandparent of a registrant is eligible to receive a certified copy of his/her grandchild's birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• The grandparent must provide;
  • The birth certificate of their child, the parent who is named on the registrant's birth certificate or
  • If the grandparent's child (mother or father named on the registrant's certificate) was born in Arizona, provide the name and date of birth of that child for verification in the Bureau of Vital Records’ Electronic Birth Registry System.
  • The grandparent submits a signed application.
  • The grandparent submits valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
  • The grandparent submits the appropriate fee(s).

The adult brother or sister of a registrant is eligible to receive a certified copy of his/her sibling's birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• The adult brother or sister must be at least 18 years of age.
• The adult brother or sister must: 
  • Produce a copy of his/her birth certificate which shows at least one common parent shared by the applicant and registrant or
  • If the adult brother or sister child was born in Arizona, provide the name and date of birth of the adult brother or sister's for verification in the Bureau of Vital Records’ Electronic Birth Registry System to confirm at least one common parent is shared by the applicant and the registrant.
  • The adult brother/sister submits a signed application.
  • The adult brother/sister submits valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
  • The adult brother/sister submits appropriate fee(s).

The guardian is eligible to receive a certified copy of his/her birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• The guardian must: 
  • Provide a copy of the Order for Permanent Guardianship of the registrant or
  • Provide a copy of the Order for Temporary Guardianship of the registrant. Note: The application must be filed within the time frame of the temporary order
  • The guardian submits a signed application.
  • The guardian submits valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
  • The guardian submits the appropriate fee(s).

A person designated in a power of attorney, established by the individual’s parent or guardian according to A.R.S. §§ 14-5104 or 14-5107 is eligible to receive a certified copy of the birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• A copy of the power of attorney document
  • A power of attorney granted by a parent or guardian of a minor or incapacitated person, according to A.R.S.  §14-5104 is valid 6 months from the date the power of attorney document is signed or notarized.
  • A power of attorney granted by a military member who is a parent or guardian of a minor child or ward, according to A.R.S. §14-5107 is valid for (12 months) from the date the power of attorney documents are signed or notarized.
• The person designated in the power of attorney submits a signed application.
• The person designated in the power of attorney provides valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
• The person designated in the power of attorney submits the appropriate fee(s).

The person appointed as the registrant's conservator is eligible to receive a certified copy of the registrant's birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

The conservator must:

• Provide a certified copy of the court order establishing conservatorship.
• Submit a signed application.
• Submit a valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
• Submit the appropriate fee(s).

A person named in a court order to receive a certified copy of a birth certificate is eligible to receive a certified copy of the registrant's birth certificate if the following criteria are met:

The person named in the court order must:

• Provide a certified copy of the court order.
• Submit a signed application.
• Submit a valid government issued identification or notarized signature on the application.
• Submit the appropriate fee(s).

The attorney of the registrant, registrant's parent or guardian is eligible to receive a certified copy of the registrant's birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

The attorney must submit:

• A completed, signed application or a letter of request on his/her letterhead stating their professional relationship to the registrant or registrant's parent or guardian if the registrant is a minor. The letter must contain the following information:
  • The attorney's name and state bar number
  • Contact information for the attorney (telephone number or an e-mail address)
  • Name of the person the attorney is representing
  • The person's relationship to the registrant
  • The registrant's name.
  • The registrant's sex
  • The registrant's date of birth
  • The name of the registrant's mother prior to first marriage
  • If known, the:
    • State file number on the birth certificate
    • Town/city of the registrant's birth
    • County of the registrant's birth
    • Hospital where the registrant was born, if applicable
    • Name of the registrant's father, if applicable; and
    • Dates of birth of the registrant's parents.
• The number of certified copies of the registrant's birth certificate being requested
• Arizona Administrative Code R9-19-211(E) states the request, must be notarized or the applicant shall submit a photocopy of a valid government-issued identification.
• The attorney must provide documentation stating the attorney has been retained by the registrant, parent or guardian.
• If applicable, a certified copy of the applicable court order (i.e. court order of adoption, certificate of adoption, etc). for the parent that proves parentage if the parent is not listed on the registrant's birth certificate. If the attorney is representing the guardian, a court order of guardianship must be submitted.
• The attorney submits appropriate fee(s).

Adoption agencies representing the adoptive or biological parents of a registrant are eligible for a certified copy of the registrant's birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

The adoption agency must provide:

• A completed, signed application or a letter of request on his/her letterhead stating their professional relationship to the biological or adoptive parents. The letter must contain the following information:
  • The name, license number and address of the adoption agency
  • The name and contact information for the adoption agency's designee (telephone number or an e-mail address)
  • Name of the person the attorney is representing
  • The person's relationship to the registrant
  • The registrant's name.
  • The registrant's sex
  • The registrant's date of birth
  • The name of the registrant's mother prior to first marriage
  • If known, the:
    • State file number on the birth certificate
    • Town/city of the registrant's birth
    • County of the registrant's birth
    • Hospital where the registrant was born, if applicable
    • Name of the registrant's father, if applicable; and
    • Dates of birth of the registrant's parents.
  • The number of certified copies of the registrant's birth certificate being requested.
• The application or letter must contain a notarized signature, or a signature along with a photocopy of the signer's valid government issued photo identification.
• A copy of the petition to adopt that includes the names of the registrant and the registrant's biological parents or adoptive parents and that has been filed with a court.
• If not included in the petition, a copy of a document stating the adoption agency is representing the biological parents or adoptive parents.
• The adoption agency submits the appropriate fee(s).

Note: If the court records are not available, the adoption agency can have the birth parent complete the Bureau of Vital Records' birth application and instruct the parent to enter the adoption agency's name and address on the application in the mailing address field. A copy of the parent's valid government issued picture identification must be included with application or the parent must sign the application in the presence of a notary. The application must be signed by the birth parent.

The attorney representing the adoptive parent(s) in an adoption proceeding is eligible to receive a certified copy of the registrant's birth pre-adoption birth certificate if all of the following criteria are met:

• The attorney must submit an application or letter of request on his/her letterhead stating their professional relationship to the adoptive parent(s), signed by the attorney. The letter must contain the following:
  • The attorney's name and state bar number
  • Contact information for the attorney (telephone number or an e-mail address)
  • Name of the person the attorney is representing
  • The person's relationship to the registrant
  • The registrant's name.
  • The registrant's sex
  • The registrant's date of birth
  • The name of the registrant's mother prior to first marriage
  • If known, the:
    • State file number on the birth certificate
    • Town/city of the registrant's birth
    • County of the registrant's birth
    • Hospital where the registrant was born, if applicable
    • Name of the registrant's father, if applicable; and
    • Dates of birth of the registrant's parents.
  • The number of certified copies of the registrant's birth certificate being requested.
• Arizona Administrative Code R9-19-211(E) states the request, must be notarized or the applicant shall submit a photocopy of a valid government-issued identification.
• The attorney must provide documentation stating the attorney has been retained by the adoptive parents.
• A copy of the petition to adopt that includes the names of the registrant and the registrant's adoptive parents that has been filed with a court.
• If the court records are not available, the attorney can have the birth parent complete the Bureau of Vital Records' birth application and instruct the parent to enter the attorney's name and address on the application in the mailing address field. A copy of the parent's valid government issued picture identification must be included with application or the parent must sign the application in the presence of a notary. The application must be signed by the birth parent.
• The attorney submits appropriate fee(s).

Note: All birth certificates issued to any government agencies or entities shall be either printed or stamped “For Government Use Only” across the face of the certificate, including those charged a fee.

A governmental agency processing an adoption, a financial claim, a governmental application, or another form of compensation on behalf of an individual, or having another official purpose for a certified copy of the individual’s certificate of birth registration may request a certified copy of the individual’s certificate of birth registration by submitting to the State Registrar or a local registrar:

• A completed, signed application or a letter of request on the governmental agency’s letterhead, that includes the following:
  • The governmental agency’s name and address
  • Contact information for the governmental agency (telephone number or an e-mail address)
  • The registrant’s name
  • The registrant’s sex
  • The registrant’s date of birth
  • The name of the registrant’s mother prior to first marriage
  • If known, the:
    • State file number on the birth certificate
    • Town/city of the registrant’s birth
    • County of the registrant’s birth
    • Hospital where the registrant was born, if applicable
    • Name of the registrant’s father, if applicable; and
    • Dates of birth of the registrant’s parents
  • A description of the:
    • Action the governmental agency is taking on behalf of the individual, or
    • The official purpose for which the government agency needs a birth certificate
    • The reason the governmental agency is requesting a certified copy of the registrant’s certificate of birth registration, and
    • The dated signature of the governmental agency’s designee, accompanied by:
      • A copy of the designee’s identification badge from the governmental agency verifying the designee is an employee of the governmental agency
• The governmental agency submits appropriate fee(s), unless the governmental agency is an exempt agency.