FOR RELEASE: August 12, 2004
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

Back to School Push for Birth Certificates

It’s back to school time and many parents of students are scrambling to get a copy of that much-needed birth certificate to complete school enrollment.

Birth records are available at two locations in the state: the Oklahoma State Department of Health in Oklahoma City, and the Tulsa Regional Health Center in Tulsa.

Parents can avoid the rush and plan to visit or contact these facilities now to obtain their children’s birth records.

To obtain a copy of a birth certificate, qualified applicants will need to provide the child’s full name, date of birth, place of birth, parents’ full names (including the maiden name of the mother), and furnish a government-issued photo I.D.

Qualified applicants for birth certificates include those persons applying for their own certificate as well as immediate next of kin or an authorized agent, who must provide a statement indicating that they are working in the best interest of the registrant and complete the written application, provide proper identification and information, and pay the applicable fees.

The cost for a birth certificate is $10, which will provide for a search for the birth record and issuance of one certified copy of a birth certificate. Additional copies are $10 each. The search fee is not refundable or transferable.

Checks or money orders must be made payable to the Vital Records Service, and if applying by mail, a self-addressed, stamped envelope should be included for return of the requested certificates.

Corrections or additions to birth records may require additional fees and the submission of required documentation. Instructions and assessment of fees will be made on an individual basis after review of the requested record.

Persons in the Oklahoma City area may obtain a copy of a birth certificate in person by visiting the Vital Records Office located on the first floor of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Oklahoma City. Citizens can also call that office at 405/271-4040 for information regarding how to obtain a birth certificate or visit the state health department’s Web site at http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/vital/index.html for more information.
Persons in the Tulsa area can visit the Tulsa Regional Health Center at 315 S. Utica, or for questions call that office at 918/594-4840. Birth certificates are issued at the Oklahoma City and Tulsa offices during the hours of 8:30 a.m. till 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for legal holidays.

Persons can also apply to the Vital Records office in writing at this address: Vital Records Office, Oklahoma State Department of Health, P.O. Box 53551, Oklahoma City, OK 73152 (allow approximately two weeks for receipt of record).

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