Virginia residents can order a certified birth certificate online through the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records (VDH-OVR), which launched a fully redesigned online application system to let applicants apply, pay, and track their request in one place. New parents can even request their newborn’s birth certificate from the hospital room. As of July 1, 2026, the certificate fee is $15.00 per certified copy or per search, whether ordered online, by mail, or in person.
Who Can Order
Certified copies of Virginia birth certificates are available to:
- The person named on the certificate
- Family members of the person named on the certificate
- Legal representatives or guardians acting on their behalf
You’ll need to provide a legible photocopy of your identification with any request, regardless of the method you use.
How to Apply Online
- Go to the official VDH online application at vdh.virginia.gov/vital-records/applications-for-a-vital-record/, the state’s own system rather than a third-party site.
- Start your application. You’ll be assigned a tracking ID so you can follow your request’s status by email and text message updates.
- Enter the required details about the person named on the certificate, including full name, date of birth, and parents’ names.
- Confirm your relationship to the person on the record.
- Pay the $15.00 fee securely online — this applies per certificate issued or per search conducted, even if no record is found.
- Track your application using your tracking ID until the certificate is mailed to you.
Newborn certificates can be requested directly from the hospital: parents simply notify hospital staff they’d like a copy, and VDH-OVR sends a secure payment link to complete the request from the hospital room or from home.
Online Ordering Fees
Virginia recently updated its statewide certificate fee:
- Certified copy or search fee (effective July 1, 2026): $15.00 per certificate or search
- Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth: no cost
There is no refund if a certificate search comes back with no record found — the fee covers the search itself, not just a successful result.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming online orders are always faster. While VDH’s new system streamlines processing, actual turnaround can still vary based on order volume, so check current estimates if you’re on a deadline.
- Skipping proof of relationship. Requests from family members or legal representatives need documentation establishing their connection to the person on the certificate.
- Overlooking the DMV as an option. Many Virginia DMV customer service centers can issue birth certificates on the spot for a $17 records search fee — a useful alternative if you need a copy quickly and are near a DMV location.
- Not double-checking your mailing address before submitting. If your application has already been processed and sent, you’ll need to submit and pay for a new request to correct a delivery address — VDH can’t simply redirect an order already in progress.
Other Ways to Apply
If you’d rather not apply online, Virginia also offers:
- By mail to the Office of Vital Records, including a completed application, a photocopy of valid ID, and payment by check or money order.
- In person at the VDH-OVR walk-in location in Richmond, at select DMV customer service centers, or at your local health department.
Official Contacts
Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Office of Vital Records
Website:
[Login to see the link]
Official Online Application:
[Login to see the link]
Phone (Customer Care Center):
(804) 662-6200
Mailing Address:
Office of Vital Records
Virginia Department of Health
P.O. Box 1000
Richmond, VA 23218-1000
United States
Walk-In Location:
VDH Office of Vital Records
8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23227
United States
Join The Discussion
Virginia’s new online system has made ordering a birth certificate noticeably faster, especially for new parents who can now request one right from the hospital. Have you used VDH’s updated online application or picked one up through a DMV location instead? Share your experience with processing times, the tracking system, or any tips for first-time applicants navigating the new fee structure.
