Utah residents can order a certified birth certificate online through SILVER, the state’s official ordering portal run by the Office of Vital Records and Statistics (OVRS), part of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Birth certificates aren’t automatically mailed to parents after a birth is registered — you have to actively request a copy, and the fastest official way to do that is online. Certificates are available for Utah births filed since 1905.
Who Can Order
You can request a certified copy of a Utah birth certificate if you are:
- The person named on the certificate
- An immediate family member
- A legal guardian (may need to provide court orders of guardianship)
- A designated legal representative (needs a letter of legal need from the requesting entity)
If you’re ordering on behalf of a relative, you may need to prove your relationship with supporting documents, such as a birth or marriage certificate.
How to Apply Online
- Go to the SILVER portal at silver.health.utah.gov, Utah’s official online ordering system for vital records.
- Complete the online application, providing the type of record, the name of the person on the certificate, date and place of birth, and parents’ names (including mother’s maiden name if applicable).
- Confirm your relationship to the person named on the record and your reason for the request.
- Provide valid identification as prompted during the online process.
- Pay the required fee online.
- Wait for processing. Your certificate will be mailed to the address you provide.
If you live in Utah, your order is routed through your local health department rather than processed centrally, though the ordering portal itself is the same statewide.
Online Ordering Fees
Utah’s birth certificate fees are relatively straightforward:
- First certified copy: $20.00
- Each additional copy ordered at the same time: $10.00
Fees are non-refundable once a search has been conducted, whether or not a record is located.
Processing Times
Estimates vary depending on the source: OVRS advises allowing at least 6 weeks for processing and mailing, while some local health departments report online orders typically arriving by mail within about 3 weeks. Because timing can vary by season and order volume, it’s worth planning ahead if you need the certificate by a specific date, such as for a passport application.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the hospital or midwife will send you a copy. Utah birth certificates are never mailed automatically — you must order one yourself once the birth is registered.
- Skipping proof of relationship. If you’re not the person named on the certificate, be ready to document your relationship, especially for a relative’s record.
- Missing required parent details. Applications need both parents’ names (mother’s maiden name if applicable) to match the certificate — errors here can delay processing.
- Trying to order a stillbirth certificate online. Utah does not currently accept online orders for stillbirth certificates; those must be requested by mail or in person.
- Not responding to a written request from Vital Records. If OVRS contacts you about your order and you don’t respond within 90 days, they may retain any fees already paid.
Other Ways to Apply
If online ordering isn’t right for your situation, Utah also offers:
- By mail, sending a completed application, a photocopy of valid photo ID, and the correct fee (personal check or money order made payable to Vital Records) to the state office.
- In person at most Utah Local Health Departments or the OVRS office in Salt Lake City, bringing valid ID and payment.
Official Contacts
Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Vital Records and Statistics (OVRS)
Website:
[Login to see the link]
Official Online Ordering Portal (SILVER):
[Login to see the link]
Forms:
[Login to see the link]
Phone:
(801) 538-6105
Mailing Address:
Office of Vital Records and Statistics
Department of Health and Human Services
Martha Hughes Cannon Building
288 North 1460 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
United States
Join The Discussion
Ordering a Utah birth certificate online through SILVER is generally straightforward, but processing times and relationship-proof requirements can catch people off guard. Have you ordered a Utah birth certificate recently? Share your experience with wait times, any documentation you needed for a relative’s certificate, or tips for making the process go smoothly.
