Birth Certificates

Birth Certificates for babies up to 6 months of age

Now Available:  Birth Certificate Online Ordering!  CLICK HERE

Birth Certificates can be ordered by eligible persons (see eligible persons list below) at Deschutes County Health Services for babies that were born in Deschutes County and are less than 6 months of age. Requests may be made online, in person, or by mail. The fee for each certified copy is $25. To order a birth certificate:

1. Use our Online Birth Certificate Order Form

OR

1. Fill out the Birth Certificate Order Form (English) (Spanish).
2. Mail or bring in your completed order form, a copy of your current photo ID and payment to:  Deschutes County, 2577 NE Courtney Drive, Bend, OR 97701. 
3. If the record is registered with the state and ready to issue, the county will process the order in 3 business days (excluding weekends and holidays).
4. Please let us know if you want the order mailed to you or if you would prefer to pick it up at our office counter when it is ready.

Eligible Persons

Oregon is a closed record state.  Access to birth records is restricted for 100 years following the date of birth. These people are eligible to order certificates:

• Parent
• Parent or 2nd parent (if listed on the record)
• Step-parent (if married to a parent listed on the record and child is under age 18)
• Registered domestic partner
• Maternal grandparent
• Paternal grandparent (if son is listed on the record)
• Sibling age 18 or older
• Child of registrant age 18 or older
• Legal representative (with documentation of who they represent and reason for order)
• Government agencies (with documentation and reason for order)
• Legal guardian (with legal guardianship paperwork)
• Non-eligible person with a notarized permission note from an eligible person

Orders for Oregon Adults and Children Over 6 Months of Age

Birth Certificates for those born in the state of Oregon who are children older than 6 months of age or adults can order in one of these 3 ways:

1. In person by appointment 9:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Friday at the State Vital Records Office (971-673-1190) 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97232-2187. Nonrefundable $28 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.  Receive the record within 1 hour unless a record problem is discovered.  Ordering in person is limited to immediate family members of the person named on the record. Orders are placed at self-service kiosks. The identity of the applicant will be screened using Social Security number and date of birth. Persons ordering must show valid ID or provide alternative documents.  In some cases, proof of relationship may be required if the person ordering does not share the last name of the person on the record and is not clearly a family member. Payment by credit or debit card, cash, money order, or electronic funds transfer (EFT) of a personal check is accepted.

2. By mail through the State Vital Records Office. Nonrefundable $25 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.  Payment by money order or check. Order forms are available online from the Oregon Health Authority website and also from the Deschutes County Vital Records office (541-322-7498) over the counter, by e-mail, or regular mail.  Allow 3 to 5 weeks for processing and delivery. Rush mail is available if you send a state order form by any overnight delivery service, pay with a money order, and may include prepaid, pre-addressed return envelope. Shipped within 3-5 work days unless a record problem is discovered.

3. Online through www.vitalchek.com. or by telephone 1-888-896-4988.  Nonrefundable $36.25 - $41.25 fee.  This fee does not include the cost of shipping the record nor any added expedite fees (if applicable). Payment by credit or debit card only.  Routine order processed in 7-10 business days and delivered by US Postal Service standard mail in 7-10 business days (total 14-20 days).  Expedited order processed in 1-2 business days and delivered by Express Delivery (UPS) overnight is available with additional cost.

Other Birth Certificate Information

If you have additional questions regarding your order, paternity, name changes, or there are mistakes on a certificate, you may contact Vital Records at (541) 322-7498 or vitalrecords@deschutes.org.