To order a Nevada birth certificate, submit an application, a copy of your ID, and payment to the state Office of Vital Records in Carson City, or to the Southern Nevada Health District (for Clark County births) or Northern Nevada Public Health (for Washoe County births). You can apply by mail, online through VitalChek, or in person. A certified copy costs $25 at the state office. Only people with a direct and tangible interest in the record qualify.
Who Can Order a Copy
Nevada does not sell birth certificates to the general public. Under NRS 440.650, the State Registrar issues a certified copy only to someone with a “direct and tangible interest” in the record.1Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 440 Nevada’s administrative code defines that as a direct relationship by blood or marriage, a legal relationship, or a legal requirement that makes the record necessary for a court or government proceeding.2Nevada Administrative Code. NAC 440.070 – Direct and Tangible Interest Defined
In practice, that means:
- The person named on the certificate, if 18 or older
- A parent listed on the certificate
- A legal guardian with a court order establishing guardianship
- A legal representative such as an attorney with a power of attorney
- A blood or marriage relative who can document the relationship, such as a sibling, grandparent, or spouse
For the person named or a listed parent, a valid photo ID with a matching name is usually enough. Guardians and attorneys must include a copy of the court order or power of attorney.
What to Gather Before You Apply
You need two things ready: the facts of the birth and proof of who you are.
The application asks for the full name on the certificate at the time of birth, the date of birth, the city or county of birth, and both parents’ full names including the mother’s maiden name. Missing details don’t stop the request outright, but the state will notify you of the deficiency, and that slows things down.3Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 440 – NRS 440.650
Primary ID
One current government-issued photo ID. A Nevada driver’s license, state ID card, U.S. passport, or military ID all qualify. Include a clear, legible copy with a mail application, or bring the original if you walk in.
If You Don’t Have a Photo ID
You can substitute two documents from the state’s secondary identification list.4Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Attachment B – Identification List Acceptable items include a Social Security card, a certified birth certificate from another state, a marriage license, a voter registration card, a vehicle registration or title, a Medicaid card, military discharge paperwork (DD-214), a government-issued work ID, or a paycheck stub issued within the past six months that shows your full name and your employer’s name and address. Each document has its own requirements on the state’s identification attachment, so check before submitting.
Nevada also makes room for applicants who are homeless. If you sign a statement under penalty of perjury that you are homeless, the State Registrar must give you at least 30 days to submit any missing documents.3Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 440 – NRS 440.650
How to Submit the Request
You have three choices. The application form is available on the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health website or from local health district offices.5Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Birth/Death Vital Records – Forms
By Mail
Send your completed application, a legible copy of your ID, any supporting legal documents, and payment to:
Office of Vital Records
4150 Technology Way, Suite 104
Carson City, NV 89706
Pay by money order, cashier’s check, or business check. Personal checks are generally not accepted for vital records requests.6Southern Nevada Health District. What Methods of Payments Are Accepted When Ordering a Certificate by Mail Mail is the slowest route because of transit time in both directions, so plan for several weeks.
Online
Nevada’s authorized online ordering service is VitalChek. You fill out the application digitally, upload a scan or photo of your ID, and pay by credit card. The Southern Nevada Health District also runs its own online portal for births that occurred in Clark County, which adds a $2 convenience fee on top of the certificate cost.7Southern Nevada Health District. Birth Certificate Application Online is usually faster than mail because there’s no front-end postal delay.
In Person
Three offices offer walk-in service:8Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Birth/Death Vital Records – Locations
- Carson City: Office of Vital Records, 4150 Technology Way, Suite 104
- Las Vegas: Southern Nevada Health District, 280 S. Decatur Blvd. (Clark County births only)
- Reno: Northern Nevada Public Health, 1001 E. Ninth Street, Building B, First Floor (Washoe County births only)9Northern Nevada Public Health. Birth and Death Records
Bring your original ID and the completed application. The Las Vegas and Reno offices only handle records for births in their own counties. If you were born elsewhere in Nevada, use the Carson City office or order by mail or online. For in-person visits, pay by money order or business check. Personal checks are not accepted at the Southern Nevada Health District.10Southern Nevada Health District. Birth Certificates
Fees and Timing
The price depends on which office you use. At the state Office of Vital Records in Carson City, each certified copy is $25.11Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Birth and Death Vital Records FAQs Northern Nevada Public Health in Reno also charges $25 per copy.9Northern Nevada Public Health. Birth and Death Records
The Southern Nevada Health District in Las Vegas charges $38 for the first certificate and $25 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.10Southern Nevada Health District. Birth Certificates If you need only one copy and your birth occurred in Clark County, ordering from the state office in Carson City by mail will cost less than going through the Las Vegas office.
The Southern Nevada Health District typically processes online orders within two business days.12Southern Nevada Health District. I Ordered a Birth Certificate Online. When Can I Expect to Receive It in the Mail Add mailing time on top of that for delivery. Mail-in orders to the state office take longer because of round-trip postal transit. If you have a deadline, order online or go in person.
If You Were Adopted
Standard ordering does not work for adopted adults seeking their original birth record. When an adoption is finalized, the original certificate is sealed, and under NRS 440.310 it can only be opened by an order from the court that issued the adoption decree, with the petitioner stating their reasons.13Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 440 – NRS 440.310 Without a court order, the Office of Vital Records cannot release the sealed original. Nevada does run a free adoption reunion registry for adult adopted persons, birth parents, and relatives within the third degree of consanguinity, which allows voluntary contact and identifying information, and its website includes information about petitioning the court for records.