Nevada Birth Records

Nevada birth records are official documents issued by the state confirming a live birth. Nevada began state-level birth registration under the Department of Health and Human Services (DPBH) in July 1911. Before this, births were recorded at the county level where the event occurred.

Nevada issues two types of birth certificates, each serving distinct purposes:

• Authorized (Certified) Copies: The authorized copies of birth records are legal, government-issued documents with a raised or stamped certification. They are required for official purposes, such as applying for passports or Social Security benefits. Authorized copies of birth records are typically issued as long-form or short-form certificates.
• Long-Form Certificate: The long-form birth certificate contains detailed information about a birth, including the child's full name, birthdate, birthplace, parents' names and occupation, certificate number, and name and signature of the attending physicians. The long-form birth certificates are valid for all legal purposes.
• Short-Form Certificate: The short-form birth certificate is an abstract, condensed version of the long-form birth record. It is less detailed and contains only basic information, such as name, birth date, and birthplace. It excludes information such as detailed information about the parents. Although the short-form birth certificate is a legal document, it is not valid for all legal transactions. It is used for basic proof of age, where detailed information is not required.
• Informational Copies: An informational copy of a birth record is a non-certified copy typically marked as 'Information.' Informational copies of birth records do not have the official certification that the certified birth record has, and it is typically printed on plain paper. Informational copies of birth certificates cannot be used for legal identification. They are best suited for personal use or genealogical research.

How To Order a Nevada Birth Certificate?

You may order a Nevada birth certificate as follows:

• The Nevada State Vital Records office holds birth records from July 1911 to the present
• The county recorder's offices provide access to birth certificates before July 1911

To order a certified copy of Nevada birth certificate by mail, online, or in person at the State Vital Records Office. Online requests for vital records are made through an approved third-party vendor. To purchase the document by mail or in person, complete the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate form. Include an unexpired government-issued photo ID, the $25 fee, and proof of relationship to the record holder, if not the person named on the birth certificate. Mail or drop off the form at the following VItal Records Offices locations:

To order older birth records from the county recorder's office, download and complete the application form from the county recorder's site. Provide proof of entitlement to obtain the document, the fees, and a valid form of government-issued photo ID with the application. Birth certificates ordered at the county level cost $25.

You may also order certified copies of birth records from an approved third-party online vendor. Similarly, historical birth certificates from 1851 onwards are available at Nevada State Archives.

Are Birth Records Public in Nevada?

Birth records are confidential vital records in Nevada and are not open to the general public for inspection or copying. Therefore, members of the public cannot request another person's birth certificate. However, only qualified persons with a direct and tangible interest in the record may obtain certified copies of birth certificates in Nevada.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Nevada?

Per state law, only persons with a direct, familial, or legal interest may order certified copies of birth certificates in Nevada. These individuals include:

• The individual named on the birth certificate, if aged 18 years or older
• The parents or adoptive parents listed on the birth record
• Immediate family members of the registrant, including current or ex-spouse, domestic partner, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren
• Legal guardians with proof of guardianship
• Legal representatives
• Public administrators
• Persons with a court order

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

In Nevada, the processing times for certified birth certificates vary by provider and method of request. The State Vital Records office processes all requests for birth certificates whether in person or by mail- in order as received. Therefore, expect processing times to take up to 4 weeks. The office does not offer expedited processing for birth certificate requests.

The Southern Nevada Health District (Clark County) processes birth certificate requests within 2 days of receiving the application. Recipients should expect to receive the document within 10 days. The office does not provide same-day service for in-person record requests. For Washoe County, the Northern Nevada Public Health District processes within 3-4 weeks of receiving the record request.

Where Can I Find Nevada Birth Records Free?

While certified birth certificates in Nevada are restricted to 'qualified 'applicants, informational copies and indexes can be accessed for free through non-governmental and archival sources.

The National Vital Records Archives does not hold state-issued birth certificates but offers a Vital Records Guide detailing how to locate records at the state or county level. Its online catalog guide helps pinpoint collections and repositories for accessing pre-1911 county birth records.

FamilySearch.org provides a free index and image collection for county registers covering 1871-1992. It also provides a catalog listing for Carson City births from 1867-1957, with indexed entries and image links. Ancestry.com offers access to Nevada index entries for births from 1975-2012, including name, birth date, and county. It also has county birth indexes from 1860-1987.

PublicRecords.us aggregates public records from multiple governmental sources and non-governmental databases to give users a robust database of vital records, including Nevada birth records. The platform provides free access to summary details of births, including date, place, and parents' basic information.

When Would I Need My Nevada Birth Records?

Your Nevada birth certificate is the primary proof of identity, age, and citizenship. Therefore, it is crucial in various personal, governmental, and legal transactions, including:

• Applying for or replacing a Social Security card
• Applying for Real ID-compliant driver's license
• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Enrolling in public schools, colleges, or universities
• Applying for a marriage license
• Changing your legal name
• Establishing next-of-kin status or confirming heirship when distributing estates
• Opening bank accounts or processing loans
• Establishing eligibility for social and insurance benefits

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Nevada?

If your Nevada birth certificate is missing, stolen, damaged, or destroyed, you may request a replacement copy from the State's Office of Vital Records, the Southern Nevada Health District for Clark County, or the Northern Nevada Public Health District forWashoe County.

Replacing your birth certificate follows the same process as ordering a certified copy of your birth certificate. Download, complete, and notarize the Application for a Certified Copy of Birth Certificate form. Attach a legible copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and enclose the fees. Enclose a $25 check or money order for the fees. Mail or drop off the request at the appropriate office.

When Can the Public Access Nevada Birth Certificates?

Nevada does not offer any publicly accessible birth certificates. Per state law, birth records are closed to the public, and only persons with a direct and tangible interest in the document may access the record. Unlike in some other jurisdictions where birth certificates become open to the public, Nevada Statutes make no provision to make birth records open to the public after a predetermined period.

How To Correct an Error on a Nevada Birth Certificate?

Nevada law distinguishes between corrections requiring only an affidavit and those needing a court order.

• Affidavit Corrections: It includes corrections for spelling or typographical errors on the registrant's name or parents' name, incorrect birth dates or place of birth, and non-medical data entry errors, such as incorrect file number.
• Court-Ordered Corrections: They include adding or removing a parent and changing the child's name.

To correct errors on a birth certificate, complete the Application for a Correction of a Record form for affidavit corrections or the Application for Correction-Court Ordered Change. Include an unexpired copy of a government-issued ID, evidence supporting the correction, such as hospital records or physician's statements, and the fees. It costs $45 to amend a birth record. The fee includes the cost of obtaining the amended birth certificate. Mail the record request to the appropriate vital records office.

Does Nevada Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Yes, Nevada provides non-binary "X" birth certificates to residents. Under the Nevada Administrative Code 440.030, the state allows individuals to update their birth certificate with a gender marker of Male(M), Female (F), or non-binary (X). The law permits residents to correct their gender markers without requiring medical proof of surgery.

To apply for a non-binary birth certificate, a notarized statement from the individual, parents (for minors), or legal representatives is required. A second notarized statement from someone with personal knowledge of the applicant's gender identity to collaborate the request. Submit the completed form and affidavits to the state vital records office.