Birth Certificates
Announcement
Vital Records offers multiple options for obtaining your records. While our lobby is no longer open to walk-ins, we do offer quick affordable turnaround options to help meet your needs. This shift in service allows Vital Records to provide improved customer service and to process and have complete online orders in the mail within two (2) business days. For time-sensitive orders, order online or over the phone to arrange for Will Call pickup at three locations – Oklahoma City, Tulsa and McAlester. Failure to complete the applications in full and include all required items will result in processing delays.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health Division of Vital Records is responsible for registering every birth which occurs in the State of Oklahoma as well as preserving, amending and issuing certified copies of those records in accordance with state law.
Delayed Birth Certificates
Instructions for obtaining a Delayed Certificate will only be issued after a thorough search of our records for a certificate has been completed. The applicant must complete the birth application (spanish version) and submit all birth facts, proper ID and searching fees as required.
Many individuals request instructions for filing a delayed certificate without benefit of the search indicating that they know they do not have a birth record on file. This may be the case in some instances, however it is noted that in many instances individuals who thought they did not have a record on file, indeed had a birth record.
DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO DO SO!
A delayed certificate is a certificate filed for a birth that was not recorded within the first year of birth. Records not filed in a timely manner can be for a number of reasons and in the majority of cases, is dependent on the date of birth with the need for filing a delayed certificate more prominent for the earlier years when birth records were not established in a timely manner as they are today. It is important to note here that original birth records date back to October of 1908. This is the date that the filing process began in Oklahoma. It was not mandatory until 1917 that records be filed and even after that time, the earlier records are sketchy, since birth records were not needed then as they are today for identification purposes.
An individual born prior to October, 1908 may have filed a delayed birth record but they would have to file the record personally and have a need for the birth record.
Complete the application for obtaining a Birth Certificate and submit the application with proper birth facts, ID and fees. Upon receipt of the acceptable application by an entitled individual, a search for the requested record will be made.
If a certificate is not located instructions will be issued regarding the filing of a Delayed Certificate of Birth. Documentation established by the registrant, since birth, that substantiate the facts of birth, will be required before consideration is given for the filing of the certificate.
- Three documents must indicate the date of birth (one document must indicate date of birth) or age.
- Two documents must indicate the birthplace as Oklahoma.
- One document must indicate the full names of both parents including the mother’s maiden name (proof of parents marriage may be required)
Suggested documents would include:
- Early School Enrollment Record
- Military Discharge
- Marriage License
- Child’s Official Birth Certificate (Not hospital keepsake records)
- Insurance Policy
- Physicians Record
- Social Security Account Application
- Official Census Records
All documents must be official records and have been established at or near the time of birth and/or established at least ten (10) years prior to application. Each document must be from an official source that is verifiable and must have official certification and be dated with the date the record was established and the date the record was issued. Only one document from each source is acceptable, (i.e. one school record, one child’s birth certificate, etc.). The document must contain the name of the registrant and at least one of the facts to be established (date of birth, place of birth, parents). Documents submitted may indicate more that one of the facts to be established, such as a child’s birth certificate may indicate the registrant’s age on a specific date and birthplace.
Remember, documents are being submitted to substantiate specific birth facts. Unacceptable documents often submitted are social security cards (the card has no birth facts), marriage license (some licenses have age or birth date for the applicants, some do not), etc. Documents with no birth facts are not acceptable.
- All documents are subject to review, verification and acceptance.
- Additional documentation may be required.
- Submission of a fraudulent application for a birth record is punishable by law.
- Delayed certificates are not filed for deceased individuals.
- Delayed certificates cannot be amended after filed unless court ordered determination of paternity is received.
Stillbirth/Fetal Death/Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth
Effective Nov 1, 2015, a Fetal Death (or Stillbirth) occurs when the fetus dies prior to a complete delivery and is required to be reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Health when it occurs at 12 or more weeks gestation. [O.S. 63.1-301 8] Note: Prior to Nov 1, 2015, stillbirths were required to be filed at 20 or more weeks gestation.
In accordance with Oklahoma State Statutes, a Stillbirth (Fetal Death) certificate must be filed within three (3) days after the delivery for registration. The funeral director or person acting as such who first assumes custody of a fetus shall file the fetal death certificate. In the absence of such a person, the physician or other person in attendance at or after the delivery shall file the certificate of fetal death. He shall obtain the personal data from the next of kin or the best-qualified person or source available. He shall complete the certificate as to personal data and deliver the certificate to that person responsible for completing the medical certification of cause of death within twenty-four (24) hours after delivery. The medical certification shall be completed and signed within forty-eight (48) hours after delivery by the physician in attendance at or after delivery, except when inquiry into the cause of death is required by Section 938 of this title [O.S. 63.1-318]
By state law, Certificate of Birth Resulting in a Stillbirth are not open for public inspection and may only be requested by the parent of the stillborn child. By signing the request, you are indicating that you are the parent of record.
A photocopy of a valid government issued photo ID by either the applicant or an individual attesting for the applicant is required for issuance of certificates.
Certified Stillbirth/Fetal Death Certificate This certificate is a certified copy of the original Stillbirth Certificate. |
$15.00 |
Memorial Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth In accordance with the Missing Angel Act - Christopher and Kendall's Law - this memorial certificate will become available November 1, 2008. The Memorial Certificate is only available to the parents of the stillborn child. This is not a new certificate, but is an abstract of the information recorded on the Legal Fetal Death/Stillbirth certificate and was designed to memorialize the stillbirth event. This certificate shall not be used as evidence of live birth nor for identification purposes. The Memorial Certificate is printed on an 8 1/2" x 11" page with a dark trim, on a sea foam green background bearing a white dove. The Certificate will reflect the name, date of delivery, place of birth, and parent's names.
|
$15.00 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Vital Records Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
PO Box 248964
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8964
Phone: (405) 426-8880
E-mail: AskVR@health.ok.gov.
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