Only the individual named on the certificate, immediate family members, their legal representatives, or those who can provide documentation showing it is needed for their property right may order legally confidential certificates.
Beginning May 7, 2025, a Star Card, U.S. Passport, military identification, or another form of federally accepted ID will be required to board a flight or enter a federal building.
A birth or marriage certificate is one of the documents you may need to get a Star Card or a U.S. Passport. Order certificates today to avoid significant wait times due to large volumes of requests. Information on how to order certificates is below, and more information on the necessary documents to obtain a Star Card can be found at https://itd.idaho.gov/starcard/.
The Department of Health and Welfare's Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics does not have a public counter. All requests for certified copies of certificates must be submitted online or by mail.
Consumer alert: third-party vendors
There are several third-party vendors online that charge money to help customers obtain copies of Idaho vital records. Some of these companies charge excessive and unnecessary fees for processing certificates that can only be issued by our agency.
For the least expensive and fastest processing, customers should ONLY order certified copies by mail directly from the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records or the bureau's online business partner, VitalChek Network Inc., at www.vitalchek.com.
How to order a certificate:
Online orders are processed through VitalChek.
VitalChek Network Inc. is an independent company the department works with to provide credit card and online orders. All major credit cards are accepted. You may be asked to fax some identification information to VitalCheck to complete your request. Additional fees are charged by VitalChek for using this service.
Please see the Processing Times and Fees section for rush processing times.
WE CANNOT ADD RUSH SERVICE TO AN EXISTING ORDER. If you need the certificate faster than the non-rush time frames stated here, add rush service before submitting your order. If you have already submitted your order, you may choose to submit another rush order for the certificate online. We are unable to cancel unprocessed orders for certificates.
Requests for certified copies can be mailed directly to the Idaho Bureau of Vital Records.
Please check your order carefully before mailing. Orders with unsigned payments, unsigned applications, or incomplete copies of identification that do not clearly show the signature and expiration date will not be processed. A letter will be sent asking for the missing information which will double the processing time.
The request must contain:
- A completed English Certificate Request Form-Birth or Spanish Certificate Request Form-Birth (or send a signed letter containing all the necessary information)
- A photocopy of your current driver's license that shows your complete signature and expiration date, or other acceptable identification
- A signed check or money order, for the certificate fee, made out to Idaho Vital Records
Mail these three items to:
Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0036
Please see the Processing Times and Fees section for rush processing options.
We cannot add rush service to an existing order. If you need the certificate faster than the non-rush time frames stated here, add rush service before submitting your order. If you have already submitted your order, you may choose to submit another rush order for the certificate online. We are unable to cancel unprocessed orders for certificates.
Who can order an Idaho certificate?
Idaho law determines who may obtain a certified copy of a vital record (birth, death, marriage, divorce, stillbirth/miscarriage). Those who are authorized to obtain a certificate have been determined to have a “direct and tangible interest” in the record. Typically, immediate family members are entitled to receive a copy of a certificate. If we are unable to verify your relationship to the person named on the certificate, you may be asked to provide proof that you are entitled to receive a certified copy of the record. For additional information, refer to this list of people who have “direct and tangible interest” in a certificate.
Incomplete orders or unresolved issues:
Incomplete orders or those with unresolved issues will take longer to process. We cannot deposit unsigned checks or money orders. If your payment is not signed or if your request is incomplete, you will receive a letter asking for the missing information.
ITD Waiver Persons who are experiencing homelessness and are applying for identification with the Idaho Transportation Department may qualify for one free copy of their Idaho birth certificate. ITD Waiver
Checks and money orders:
Checks and money orders are deposited the day after they are received in our office. If you have not received your certified copy(s) in the time frames stated in the Processing Times and Fees section, please verify the date your payment was cashed by Idaho Vital Records before contacting us for a status update at ivr@dhw.idaho.gov or 208-334-5980.
Your certificate order:
Your certificate order will be mailed to you through the United States Postal Service (USPS). USPS will not deliver mail from our office to the address you provide unless you are registered with them as a resident. If you prefer delivery from another carrier, please provide a postage-paid, self-addressed shipping envelope from the carrier of your choice.
Requests requiring an amendment or legal action:
Any request requiring an amendment or legal action may take several weeks to process after the request is received and payment is accepted, depending on the volume of requests. The fee to expedite a legal action is $25 per event.