Utah Birth Records

Utah mandated county-level birth registrations in 1898. However, statewide birth registration started in 1905, creating a standardized and centralized format for recording births in the state.

A Utah birth certificate is an official legal document issued by the state to verify a person's birth details. Utah offers two primary types of birth certificates: the authorized birth certificate and the information birth certificate.

A certified copy, also called an authorized copy, is a complete, official reproduction of the original birth records, stamped and signed by the state registrar. An informational copy is a non-certified reproduction that contains the same birth details as the authorized copy, but it lacks the registrar's seal and signature. It is not a legal proof of identity and is primarily used for genealogical researchers or personal reference, where the validity of the document is not required.

Utah provides two forms of certified birth certificates: the long-form birth certificate and the short-form birth certificate. The long-form birth certificate is the complete, full-size original copy of the birth record. It includes detailed information about a birth, including the child's complete birth date, parents' full information, file number, registrar's signature, and filing date. The long-form birth certificate is valid for all legal uses.

The short-form birth certificate is an abstract of the long-form birth certificate. It contains only the core facts of an individual's birth, such as name, birthdate, and place of birth, and omits detailed information like parents' birth dates and official signatures. The short-form birth certificate is acceptable as domestic identification, where informal proof of age is required.

How To Order a Utah Birth Certificate?

You may order a Utah Birth Certificate from 1905 to the present from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Vital Records and Statistics. To order the document, fill out the Birth Certificate Application form. Include a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees to complete the application. Mail the request to:

You may also obtain certified copies of birth certificates from the Utah Local Health Departments. You may download the application form from their website or from their office. All applications must include the form, fees, and a valid government-issued ID.

For certified copies of birth certificates before 1905, you may contact the county clerk's office where the birth was recorded or access the document at the Utah State Archives. Similarly, you may order certified copies of birth records online from a service provider approved by the Department of Health.

It costs $22 to order the first copy of the birth certificate and $10 for additional copies ordered at the same time. There is an additional $15 charge if you want to expedite the processing of the record request. Likewise, there are additional charges when ordering your birth certificate online.

Are Birth Records Public in Utah?

No. Utah birth records are not public records. Birth records are considered confidential in the state and are not available to the public. Only authorized individuals may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. However, birth records do become public records in Utah after a certain period predetermined by the state.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Utah?

Per state law, only persons with a direct, familial, or legal interest in the birth record may obtain certified copies of birth certificates. In Utah, these individuals include:

• The person named on the birth certificate
• The parents are named on the birth record
• Immediate family members, including siblings, spouses, children, grandparents, and grandchildren
• Legal guardian
• Legal representatives
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A Utah Birth Certificate?

The Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics processes mail requests for birth certificates within 3 weeks. Expedited requests for birth certificates ordered from the State Vital Records office are processed in less than 2 weeks. Birth certificates ordered online are processed within 5 business days, with expedited processing having a turnaround time of 2 days.

In-person requests for birth records at the local health department are typically processed on the same day. However, mail requests at the county clerk's office may be processed within 14 days.

Where Can I Find Utah Birth Records Free?

Birth certificates in Utah are only accessible to eligible persons for a fee. However, informational copies of older birth certificates may be accessed for free through several repositories and websites at no cost.

FamilySearch.org has a repository of Utah birth registers with images and indexes from 1898-1905. It also provides access to a collection of Utah birth records in image format, organized by county and birthdates from 1903-1914. Ancestry.com grants access to Utah birth registers from 1892-1944. In addition, you can view Utah's birth indexes from 1904-1956 and delayed birth records from 1851-1896 on the platform at no cost.

PublicRecords.us aggregates birth records from multiple governmental repositories to provide a comprehensive database of birth records across the U.S., including Utah birth records. The web tool grants access to basic birth information such as name and birth year. The platform is ideal for beginning your search for informational copies of birth records. The site may grant access to the detailed birth report for a minimal fee.

When Would I Need My Utah Birth Records?

A Utah birth certificate proves who you are, where you are from, and how old you are. Consequently, there are diverse situations where you may need to tender your birth certificate to prove you are who you claim to be. They include:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Obtaining REAL ID and driver's licenses
• Obtaining or replacing a Social Security card
• Enrolling in school, college, or university
• Applying for a marriage license
• Confirming your identity during employment
• Changing your name or gender marker
• Registering to vote

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Utah?

Birth certificates are primary proof of identity, required for various legal and personal purposes. Therefore, obtaining a replacement birth certificate is essential when the original has been stolen, damaged, lost, or destroyed.

To replace your birth certificate, complete the Birth Certificate Application available on the Utah Vital Records Office website. You may request a birth certificate replacement from your local health department. Complete the application form and include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and the fees. You may mail the request to the State Vital Records office or submit it in person at your local health department. It costs $22 to order a replacement birth certificate.

When Can the Public Access Utah Birth Certificates?

Under Utah law, birth records are considered private records for the first 100 years from the date of birth. During this period, access to the document is restricted to individuals with a direct, tangible, and legitimate interest in the record. However, once the 100 years have passed, the birth certificate becomes a public record. At this point, anyone may request a copy without demonstrating a direct interest.

How To Correct an Error on a Utah Birth Certificate?

Utah permits minor and substantive corrections to birth certificates. Generally, you may amend your birth record if you discover the following errors on the document:

• Clerical errors, such as typos in names, dates, or place of birth
• Error in parent details, including misspelled parents' names or adding an omitted parent's name
• Parental and paternity changes
• Gender marker changes

To amend your birth certificate, complete the Affidavit to Amend a Record form for minor clerical errors and the Amendment of a Record by Court Order form if the amendment is substantive.

Gather the required documents to prove the error and substantiate the correction or amendment requests. Generally, this may include the original hospital record, baptismal certificate, or early school record for minor corrections and a court order or affidavit from both parents for substantive amendment. All requests must include a copy of an unexpired government-issued ID.

Mail the completed application to the State Vital Records office or submit the request to your local health department. It costs $27 to amend a birth certificate. $5 to amend the document and $22 to issue you the corrected birth certificate.

Does Utah Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Yes. Utah permits non-binary gender markers on birth certificates. Section 26-2-11 of the Utah Code permits individuals to amend their birth certificates to reflect their preferred gender marker, including the non-binary gender marker "X".

Per the law, individuals can amend their birth certificates to reflect either "Male", "Female", or "X". Medical records, physician attestation confirming clinical distress, and proof of living as a non-binary for at least six months are required to amend the birth record.