How Do I Request A Birth Certificate?
Connecticut law restricts access to birth records, so you must first verify that you are eligible to receive the certificate that you are requesting. (See above “Who can request a certified copy of a birth certificate”)
If you are eligible to receive the certificate, you may request it either by mail, online via VitalChek, or in person. Complete the Application to Request a Birth Certificate available on this site and send it to the vital records office of the town or city where the birth occurred, where the mother resided at the time of the birth, or to the State Vital Records Office. See the Town Vital Records Directory.
Requesters must provide a copy of photographic identification (do not submit originals) with their application to prove they are eligible to receive a copy of the birth certificate. Acceptable forms of identification are:
1. a valid, government issued photographic identification that includes the person’s or requester’s date of birth, signature, and an expiration date.
If a photographic identification is not available, copies of two (2) of the following documents can be substituted for it:
2. social security card;
3. social security card supplemented with either an employment identification card, a paycheck stub or a W-2 form. Providing the documents in this subdivision fully satisfies the identification requirements of this section;
4. automobile registration;
5. copy of utility bill showing name and current address;
6. checking account deposit slip or bank statement stating name and current address;
7. voter registration card;
8. valid government issued trade or professional license;
9. valid government issued firearm permit;
10. probation documents issued by a court or other government agency, pursuant to a criminal conviction;
11. letter from a government agency verifying identity. The letter shall be dated within six months prior to the date of the request;
12. release documentation from a correctional institution containing a photograph of the former inmate and a release date within 12 months prior to the date of the request;
13. birth certificate of the requester;
14. military discharge papers;
15. current school or college photographic identification; or
16. government issued photographic identification that has expired within 12 months prior to the date of the request.
If you are requesting a birth certificate for someone other than yourself or your child, you will need to submit proof verifying your relationship to the person whose birth certificate you are requesting. For example:
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If you are requesting the birth certificate of your parent, you must submit a copy of your own birth certificate in order to prove the parent/ child relationship.
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If you have had your name legally changed by a court decree and your birth certificate does not reflect your new name, you must submit a copy of the court order verifying the legal name change.
If the State or Town Vital Records office has reason to doubt the authenticity of a document presented, the requester may be asked to provide any additional document listed above.
See Regulations for Connecticut State Agencies 19a-41-2.
To request a copy of a Certificate of Fetal Death, please follow all procedures for requesting a Birth Certificate.
