Vermont Birth Records

Vermont began mandating the centralized statewide recording of birth in 1857. Before this, most towns maintained their own records, dating back to 1760. However, the record-keeping was inconsistent.

Vermont birth records refer to the official documents that record the details of a person's birth within the state. Vermont issues two primary types of birth certificate copies:

• Certified Copies: The certified copy of a birth record, also called an authorized copy, is the official legal document printed on state security paper with a raised seal. Vermont issues two types of certified copies of birth records.
• Long-Form Birth Certificates: This is the complete copy of the original birth record, including detailed information, such as full names of the registrant, date and place of birth, parents' full names, gender, birthplaces, and occupations, attending physician or midwife's name, and hospital or facility where the birth occurred. It also includes the signature and the official seal of the issuing office, a unique certification number, and the filing date. The long-form birth certificate is the official copy of an individual's birth record. Therefore, it is required for all legal, administrative, and official purposes.
• Vermont's Abstract: Equivalent to the short-form birth certificate in other states, contains only basic information of a registrant's birth facts, such as full names, birthplace, and birth dates. It omits detailed information, such as the parent's birthplace and occupation. While Vermont's Abstract is issued by the state, it is not acceptable for legal identification purposes.
• Informational Copies: Informational copies of birth records, also called noncertified birth records, contain less detailed information about a birth in the state. However, these copies are printed on plain paper and marked with a "Noncertified Copy" watermark. They are not valid for legal use and are best suited for informational purposes, such as genealogical research or personal use.

How To Order a Vermont Birth Certificate?

Eligible requesters may order certified copies of Vermont birth certificates issued from 1909 to date from the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) Vital Records Section. Requesters may order the document online or by mail. Persons ordering birth records online may use the Vital Records Request Service provided by the VDH in collaboration with a third-party vendor. Therefore, there are additional charges to process and mail the document.

Record seekers may also order certified birth records by mail by completing the birth certificate section of the Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Birth or Death Certification form. All mail requests may include the name on the birth records, the birth date, and the county of birth. In addition, requests for certified birth certificates must include a copy of a government-issued photo ID, proof of eligibility to order the document if not the record holder, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the fees. Mail the record request to:

Interested persons may also order certified copies of a Vermont birth certificate from any Town or City Clerk's office if the birth occurred from January 1, 1909, to the present, or at the specific Town or City Clerk's office if the birth occurred before 1909. Record seekers may order the document in person by completing the Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Birth or Death Certification form. Similarly, interested persons may access historical Vermont birth certificates that were issued before 1909 by the Vermont State Archives and Records Administration (VSARA).

It costs $10 to order a certified copy of a birth certificate by mail or in person at the Town or City Clerk's office, and $12 to order the document online. Extra copies are charged at the same rate. There is an additional $14.50 to expedite the record requests processed online.

Are Birth Records Public in Vermont?

Vermont birth certificates are not considered public records. Per state law, birth records are confidential and closed from public viewing, inspection, or copying. While certified birth records are closed to the public, the state permits eligible individuals to view and obtain certified copies of Vermont birth certificates. However, state law allows public access to informational copies of birth records.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Vermont?

Only persons with a direct and tangible interest in a Vermont birth certificate may request the document. Under Vermont's law, the following persons are eligible for a certified copy of a birth certificate:

• The registrant named on the birth records
• The parents listed on the birth certificate
• The legal guardian
• Immediate family members, including the spouse, children, siblings, grandchildren, and grandparents
• Court-appointed executor or administrator
• Legal representatives
• Persons with a court order

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

Once you submit your application online, Vermont Vital Records processes your request between 5 and 7 business days. Persons who pay the expedited shipping cost can receive the document the next business day after it is mailed.

Similarly, applicants who request birth certificates by mail can receive their certificates in 5-7 business days. However, the VDH Vital Records Office does not offer expedited processing options for mail orders. However, if you need the document in a rush, walk into the town or city clerk's office to order the document. In-person requests are processed on the same day.

Where Can I Find Vermont Birth Records Free?

While certified copies of Vermont birth certificates are restricted to eligible requesters, non-eligible individuals can find several free resources to access informational copies of Vermont birth records.

The Vermont State Archives and Records Administration provides an index lookup tool for town clerk registration of births from 1857 to 1908. In addition, searchers may access statewide vital records, summary indexes, and original certificates from 1909. The platform offers access to early registers listing birthdates, the child's name, the parent's name, and the town of birth.

FamilySearch.org is a genealogy website that provides access to the Vital Records collection, including Vermont birth records from 1760 to 2008. In addition, users may access Vermont's birth and christening collection from 1765 to 1908 on the platform. Records seekers may access the full names of the child and parents, exact birth dates and location, attending physician information, and registry filing date on the platform without cost.

Ancestry.com provides free access to indexed entries of Vermont birth records from 1720 to 2008. The free access allows users to view children's and parents' names, birth year, town or city of birth, and certificate page references. A subscription is required to see scanned images. However, users may view them for free at any public library or Family History Center in Vermont that offers Ancestry Library Edition.

Third-party platforms like PublicRecords.us aggregate records from multiple town and state resources to provide a comprehensive database of vital records, including Vermont birth records. The platform offers basic index data, including the child's name, date of birth, and county of birth information from 1909 to the present. Detailed access may require a paid subscription.

When Would I Need My Vermont Birth Records?

A Vermont birth certificate serves as the primary, state-issued document establishing your legal identity, U.S. citizenship, and parentage. To this end, you will need the original copy of your Vermont birth certificates to prove who you are in various situations, including:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Obtaining or replacing a Social Security card
• Getting a driver's license or state-issued ID
• Enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Enrolling in Schools or Colleges
• Applying for a marriage license
• Accessing government benefits, such as Medicaid
• Accessing Veterans' Benefits
• Establishing employment eligibility
• Opening certain financial accounts
• Changing your legal name
• Establishing your relationship with a decedent in inheritance matters

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Vermont?

If your original Vermont birth certificate gets missing, destroyed, damaged, or stolen, you may order a replacement birth certificate. Replacing your Vermont birth certificate mirrors the process of ordering a certified copy of the record.

You may replace your birth certificate by ordering the document online or by mail. Online requests are through the Vital Records Request Service provided by the VDH Vital Records Office. In addition, users may order the record by mail by completing the birth certificate section of the Application for Certified Copy of Vermont Birth or Death Certification form. All requests may include a copy of a government-issued ID and the fees. In addition, mail requesters may include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

In addition, you may replace your birth at the town or city clerk's office. For births from 1909 to date, you may replace the document at any town or city clerk's office, while for births before 1909, you may request the replacement records in person at the specific town or city clerk's office where the birth occurred.

It costs $10 to replace a birth certificate ordered by mail from the VDH Office of Vital Records and the town and city clerk's office. Replacement birth certificates ordered online cost $12. Additional copies are charged at the same rate.

When Can the Public Access Vermont Birth Certificates?

Certified copies of Vermont birth certificates are not automatically available to the general public. Only eligible individuals may obtain certified copies of birth certificates. However, Vermont law does permit non-authorized persons to view or obtain noncertified copies of birth records.

How To Correct an Error on a Vermont Birth Certificate?

You may correct the following errors on your Vermont birth certificates:

• Misspellings
• Omissions
• Typographical errors
• Transposed information
• Gender marker updates
• Changing the registrant's legal name
• Adding or removing a parent

To correct a birth certificate issued within 6 months, complete the Application to Correct or Amend a Vermont Birth Certificate form. List the items to be corrected, the error as it appears on the birth certificate, and specify the accurate information. Include a government-issued photo ID and the birth certificate containing the error. The form requires the signature of both parents listed on the birth certificate. Mail the application to the VDH Office of Vital Records.

Any alterations to a birth certificate issued after 6 months are referred to as an amendment in Vermont. To amend a birth certificate, complete the Application to Correct or Amend a Vermont Birth Certificate form, specifying the incorrect information and the data as it should appear. Include documentary proof of the correct information, the birth certificate with the error, and a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID.

Does Vermont Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Yes. Vermont permits a third, non-binary marker, "X", on state-issued birth certificates. Per state law, individuals whose birth was initially registered in Vermont may request a change of gender marker to "X" without needing surgery, hormone treatment, or a court order.