Introduction to Mississippi Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Mississippi birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Mississippi Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Mississippi state law, Mississippi birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Mississippi Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Mississippi Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Mississippi Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Mississippi Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Mississippi Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Mississippi birth certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Mississippi Birth Certificate

Mississippi Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Mississippi birth certificates are available for genealogy purposes for birth events occurring over 100 years ago. Genealogy must be provided as purpose for Mississippi birth certificate and family relationship to the registrant must be specified. Plain paper birth certificates are provided for genealogy purposes.

Mississippi Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Mississippi Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Mississippi Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Mississippi Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Mississippi Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Mississippi birth certificate online.  It usually takes 7-10 business days upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Mississippi birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Mississippi birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Mississippi birth certificate
• Sex on the Mississippi birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Mississippi birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Mississippi birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Mississippi birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Mississippi birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Mississippi birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Mississippi State Department of Health

Vital Records

Post Office Box 1700, Jackson, Mississippi 39215-1700

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Mississippi: You may go to any county health department in the State of Mississippi to obtain a certified copy of a Mississippi birth certificate. Most Mississippi birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Mississippi Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Mississippi birth certificate is $15.00, which includes one certified copy of the Mississippi birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Mississippi birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $5.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Mississippi Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.