Introduction to North Dakota Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a North Dakota 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.  

North Dakota birth certificates have been maintained by the North Dakota Division of Vital Records for individuals born in the state of North Dakota since 1870.  Records from 1894 to 1920 are incomplete.

North Dakota Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

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

• Person Named on the North Dakota Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the North Dakota Birth Certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the North Dakota Birth Certificate

North Dakota Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

To obtain a North Dakota birth certificate for genealogy reasons you need to meet one of the above criteria.

North Dakota Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order North Dakota Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your North Dakota Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your North Dakota 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 North Dakota Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your North Dakota birth certificate online.  It usually takes 5-7 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 North Dakota birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the North Dakota birth certificate
• Date of birth on the North Dakota birth certificate
• Sex on the North Dakota birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the North Dakota birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the North Dakota birth certificate
• Full name of father on the North Dakota birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose North Dakota birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the North Dakota 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:

 

North Dakota Division of Vital Records

600 E. Boulevard Ave. - Dept. 301

Bismarck, ND 58505-0200

Option 3 – In Person

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

North Dakota Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a North Dakota birth certificate is $7.00, which includes one certified copy of the North Dakota birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the North Dakota birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $4.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "North Dakota Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.