Birth Records
A birth certificate is an official recording of a birth that occurred in the state of Georgia. It is used for a number of reasons including but not limited to:
- establishing one’s identity
- tax purposes
- enrolling in school
- applying for a driver’s license
- obtaining health insurance
At the State Office of Vital Records, birth records are available from January 1919 to the present. For records older than 1919, please contact the county in which the birth occurred or the Georgia Archives.
How do you request a certified copy of a birth certificate?
You may request a certified copy of a birth certificate from your local county office or the State Office of Vital Records. This request can be made in person or by mail. You can also request certified copies online using one of our approved third-party vendors (GO Certificates, ROVER, and Vital Chek).
Request for Search of Birth (Form 3918)
Certificate Corrections
There are two types of corrections performed at the State Office of Vital Records.
Current Year Corrections (CYC): Current year corrections are defined as corrections made to the certificate within one year of the child’s birthday. There is no charge for current year corrections.
Affidavit
for Current Year Correction
General Amendments: A general amendment is defined as a change that is made to a certificate after 1 year of age. Amendments can occur due to a legal name change, adoption, legitimation, adding of a spouse and/or paternity acknowledgement.
-
Affidavit
for Amendment (Form 3977)
-
Certificate
of Adoption (Form 3927)
-
Application
for an Amended Certificate of Birth by Legitimation (Form 3929)
-
Affidavit
for Adding a Spouse
- Paternity Acknowledgement (Form 3940)
-
Court
Ordered Delayed Certificate of Birth Form (PDF)
-
Delayed
Certificate of Birth Form (PDF)
-
Out
of Institution Birth Packet (PDF)
-
Rescission
Statement Form (PDF)
Birth Certificates are only issued to applicants having a direct and tangible interest to the registrant, i.e. immediate family members, and/or legal representatives of the family.
O.C.G.A. 31-10-26 (2010)
Birth and Death Certificate Entitlement Requirements
| Relationship | ID Requirement |
|---|---|
| Self | Valid Photo Government Issued Identification |
| Parent | Valid Photo Identification, must be listed as the parent on the certificate |
| Legal Guardian | Certified copy of the Court Order establishing guardianship |
| Grandparent | Birth certificate of the registrant’s parent (proof of relationship) |
| Adult Child/Adult Sibling | Birth certificate of the requestor, listing one of the same parents, and his or her valid government issued photo identification which includes signature |
| Spouse | Marriage certificate (copy), photocopy of the spouse’s signature, and a notarized letter from the spouse giving permission |
| Attorney | Notarized letter on letterhead signed by the attorney (must represent an immediate family member), provide bar number indicating the reason for the request and whom they represent. Provide supporting documentation. In the event of an adoption, provide a notarized release from the biological mother. |
SB 100 - Andee's Law (Pre-Adoption) Birth Certificate
Effective July 1, 2025, Senate Bill 100, also known as “Andee’s Law,” grants individuals who are 18 years of age or older, and born in the State of Georgia, the right to request and obtain an uncertified copy of their original birth certificate.
Pre-Adoption Birth Certificate Requirements
| Relationship with Deceased Adoptee | ID & Documentation Requirements |
|---|---|
| Direct Line Descendant (child, grandchild, great grandchild of the adoptee, etc.) | Valid government issued photo identification, photocopy of the adoptee’s death certificate, documentation proving direct line descent (such as birth, and death records, etc.) |
| Child of Adoptee | Valid government issued photo identification, photocopy of the adoptee’s death certificate, photocopy of the applicant’s birth certificate showing the adoptee as the parent. |
| Direct line descendant with name changes | Valid government issued photo identification, photocopy of the adoptee’s death certificate, proof of relationship as outlined above, additional documentation for any name changes (marriage records, name change orders, or other official records) |
| Sibling of deceased adoptee | Valid government issued photo identification with signature, photocopy of the adoptee’s death certificate, copy of the applicant’s birth certificate listing one or both of the same parents as the adoptee. |
| Parent of the deceased adoptee | Valid government issued phot identification with signature, photocopy of the adoptee’s death certificate, copy of the adoptees birth certificate listing the parents’ name. |
Page last updated 1/29/2026