Bridgeport Birth Certificate Search

Bridgeport is Connecticut's largest city. The city maintains birth records for all births that took place within its limits. The Bridgeport Bureau of Vital Statistics holds these documents. Residents need birth certificates for passports, school registration, and employment. This guide explains how to obtain certified copies of Bridgeport birth records from the city office or through approved channels.

Bridgeport Birth Records Office Location

The Bridgeport Bureau of Vital Statistics sits at 999 Broad Street. This office serves as the main hub for birth records in the city. The staff handles requests from residents and eligible family members. They process walk-in visits during business hours. The office also accepts mail requests from those who cannot visit in person.

Hours run Monday through Friday. The office opens at 9:00 AM. It closes at 4:30 PM. The staff takes a lunch break from noon to 1:00 PM. No birth record services are available during this hour. The office is closed on weekends and city holidays. Call ahead to confirm hours during holiday weeks.

The phone number is (203) 576-7476. You can reach staff during business hours. Email contact is Jessica.Baldwin@bridgeportct.gov. The office responds to email within one to two business days. Use email for general questions about the process.

The office serves all residents born in Bridgeport. This includes current residents and those who have moved away. Records date back many decades. The city keeps these documents secure and confidential. Only eligible parties may access them.

How to Request Bridgeport Birth Certificates

You have three ways to get birth records from Bridgeport. Each method suits different needs. Pick the one that works best for your situation. All methods require proper identification.

In-person visits offer the fastest service. Walk into the office at 999 Broad Street during open hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Fill out the request form. Pay the fee. Walk out with your certified copy the same day. This method works best if you live near Bridgeport or can travel there.

Mail requests work for those who live far away. Write a letter with your full name at birth. Include your date of birth. Add your parents' names. State your current mailing address. Include a photocopy of your photo ID. Send a money order for the correct amount. Mail everything to the Bureau of Vital Statistics at 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604.

Online ordering is available through VitalChek. This is the only approved third-party vendor. Visit their website to place your order. You can order any time of day. Extra fees apply for this service. Your certificate arrives by mail within days.

The Bridgeport website at bridgeportct.gov/government/departments/vital-records has more details. Visit the site for forms and current fee schedules.

Bridgeport Birth Certificate Fees

Bridgeport charges different rates based on certificate size. The full-size birth certificate costs $20. This is the standard document most people need. It works for passports and all legal purposes. The pocket-size certificate costs $15. This smaller version fits in a wallet. Both sizes are certified copies with the same legal status.

Payment methods vary by how you order. In-person visits accept cash and money orders. Credit cards are accepted with a service fee. Call ahead to confirm current payment options. Mail requests must include a money order. Make it payable to the City of Bridgeport. Do not send cash through the mail. Personal checks are not accepted.

VitalChek charges additional processing fees. These fees cover the online service and shipping. Standard shipping is included. Express shipping costs extra. The total cost depends on how fast you need the document. Online orders typically cost more than in-person requests. The trade-off is speed and ease of access.

Note: Fees are subject to change. Contact the office before sending payment to confirm current rates.

Who Can Get Bridgeport Birth Records

Birth records in Bridgeport are confidential. State law protects these documents. Not everyone can get a copy. The rules are strict to prevent fraud and identity theft.

You can get your own birth certificate if you are 18 or older. Parents can get copies for their minor children. Other eligible people include:

• Legal guardians with court papers
• Spouses with a marriage certificate
• Adult children of the person named
• Attorneys with proper authorization
• Government agents on official business

You must prove your identity when making a request. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver license, state ID, or passport works. The ID must not be expired. If you request for someone else, bring proof of your relationship. Marriage certificates work for spouses. Birth certificates work for parents. Court orders work for guardians.

Records that are 100 years old or older become public. Anyone can request these historical documents. The Connecticut State Vital Records Office may also have older records.

Bridgeport Birth Records Processing Times

How long you wait depends on how you order. In-person visits are fastest. You get your certificate while you wait. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Arrive early in the day to avoid lines.

Mail requests take longer. The office processes these in the order received. Expect two to four weeks for delivery. This includes mail time both ways. Use certified mail to track your request. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for faster return.

Online orders through VitalChek offer the best balance. Most orders ship within days. You can choose shipping speeds. Standard shipping takes three to five business days. Express shipping arrives in one to two days. This costs more but saves time.

Rush requests are possible in some cases. Contact the office directly if you have an urgent need. Explain your situation. The staff may be able to help. Bring proof of your deadline. This might be a flight itinerary or court date.

Bridgeport Birth Records at State Office

You can also get Bridgeport birth records from the state. The State Vital Records Office in Hartford keeps all Connecticut birth certificates. This includes records from Bridgeport. The state office is at 410 Capitol Avenue in Hartford.

State copies cost $30 each. This is more than the Bridgeport city fee. The state office has limited walk-in hours. They are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Many people find the Bridgeport office more convenient.

The state office can help with special cases. These include adoption records and stillbirth certificates. The Bridgeport office cannot issue these documents. For standard birth certificates, the city office is faster and cheaper.

Other Fairfield County Birth Records

Bridgeport sits in Fairfield County. Other towns in the county also issue birth records. If you were born in another Fairfield County town, contact that town's clerk office. Each town maintains its own birth records.

Nearby cities include Stamford, Norwalk, and Danbury. Each has its own vital records office. Visit our Connecticut cities page to find more locations. Visit our Fairfield County page for county-wide information.

The state system allows flexibility for newer records. Births from January 1, 2003 onward can be requested from any town office in Connecticut. Older records must come from the town of birth or the state office.