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USGenWeb AzGenWeb

Birth/Death Certificates

 Arizona

***** I cannot obtain birth certificates!!!*****

I get between 5 - 10 requests per week asking if I can get someone a birth certificate. Below are the instructions on how to go about obtaining one. If there is any question left unanswered, please email me and I can find the answer. Please read this entire page before emailing. Thank you.

Click here for how to obtain a certificate for an overseas military birth certificate.


First off, if you have not already heard from lists and other media, Arizona is one of those states that make it very difficult to obtain both birth and death certificates if you are not immediate family. I know their reasoning on this has to do with fraudulent schemes and the like. If you are still interested in acquiring a birth or death certificate keep reading.

Birth certificates are available from 1884 to present, earlier birth records may not be available if the child was born at home. Death certificates are available from 1887 to present.

Cost: Births before 1950 are $9.00; births 1950 - present are $6.00 and death certificates are $6.00.

In person You would need to go to 2727 W. Glendale in Phoenix weekdays between 8-5. However you must be there by 4:30 to get your certificate that day. There is often a wait up to an hour, unless it is a high volume time (i.e. just prior to school starting) then the waits can be hours. Phone number (602) 364-1300.

By mail For a birth or death certificate by mail you must include the following:

  1. Name of person on certificate
  2. Date and place of birth/death
  3. Parents name with mother's maiden name (for birth cert.)
  4. Relationship to the person on the certificate *
  5. Why you want the certificate (genealogy, records...)
  6. Photocopy of a valid government issued form of identification (i.e. Drivers License)
  7. Certified check or money order **
  8. Your mailing address
  9. Signature of the immediate family member


* The family attorney or funeral home can obtain death certificates.

** If you send a personal check they will hold your certificate an additional 30 days to make sure the check clears.

Send all the above to Arizona Vital Records, P.O. Box 3887, Phoenix, AZ 85030. According to the Vital Statistics office, you should allow 2 to 4 weeks processing time.

In a Hurry? The state has a fax number where you can send your birth certificate requests. You must include all of the above and the following:

Cost: The certificate fee $6.00/$9.00, $5.00 for expiditing the certificate, $12.50 for certificates Fed Ex'd. The fax number for those interested is (602) 249-3040.

Corrections to birth certificates/adding a birth father to the certificate:To add a birth father to the childs birth certificate you would need to request a Paternity Form from the address above. They will send the form and instructions on how to obtain one and the fees. Any other changes can be made by requesting the proper form from Vital Records. Any questions about changes can be answered by dialing (602) 364-1300.

I know that obtaining certificates are very beneficial to your research and I do not quite understand why they can't print an uncertified certificate for researchers with all of the information needed for searching ancestors.

Military Overseas Birth Information

Need to write or call:

(202) 955-0307

U.S. Department of State
Passport Correspondence Office
1111 Nineteenth St., NW, Suite 510
Washington, D.C. 20524



Happy hunting.

Need something? Email me, the county coordinator, Amber Cory
ICQ# 14127164

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