New Haven Birth Records Lookup
New Haven birth records are kept at the Office of Vital Statistics inside City Hall. This office serves all residents who were born in New Haven. You can get certified copies of birth certificates for passports, school, or work needs. The staff can help you in English or Spanish. Walk-in service is open most weekdays. You can also order birth records online for faster service.
New Haven Vital Records Quick Facts
New Haven Birth Records Office Location
The Office of Vital Statistics sits on the first floor of New Haven City Hall. You will find it at 165 Church Street in Suite 154. This office handles all birth records for the city. The location is in the heart of downtown New Haven near the Green.
| Office | New Haven Office of Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 165 Church Street, Suite 154 New Haven, CT 06510 |
| Phone | (203) 946-7931 |
| Fax | (203) 946-7717 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM First Wednesday of month: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM |
| Website | nhvhealth.org/vital-statistics |
City Hall is near the New Haven Green in the downtown area. You can take public transit to the Green and walk a short distance. Street parking is on Church Street and nearby blocks. Garages are close by for longer stays. The building has access for people with disabilities.
How to Order New Haven Birth Certificates
You have three ways to get birth records in New Haven. Each way works for different needs. Some are faster. Some cost less. Pick the one that fits your time and budget.
The fastest way is to visit in person. Go to Suite 154 at City Hall during open hours. Bring a valid photo ID. The staff can print your birth certificate while you wait. You walk out with it in hand. This is best if you need it today.
The easiest way is to order online. New Haven uses VitalChek for web orders. Go to vitalchek.com and pick New Haven. You pay with a credit card. The record ships to your home. Extra fees apply for this service. Most orders arrive in days.
You can also order by mail. Call (203) 946-7931 to ask for a form. Fill it out and mail it with a copy of your ID. Include a money order for the fee. Mail takes longer but works if you do not need the record fast.
Note: Bilingual staff speak English and Spanish to help all residents.
New Haven Birth Certificate Fees
Fees for birth records in New Haven are set by the city. The Office of Vital Statistics takes cash, money orders, and credit cards. Credit card payments have a small extra charge.
A full size birth certificate costs $20. This is the standard size for most uses. A wallet size birth certificate costs $15. This fits in your purse or wallet. Both are certified and legal for any use.
Online orders cost more due to service fees. VitalChek adds fees for processing and shipping. The base city fee stays the same. You pay extra for the ease of web ordering.
Mail orders should include a money order made out to the City of New Haven. Do not send cash in the mail. The office does not take personal checks. Call (203) 946-7931 to check current fees before you send payment.
New Haven Birth Records Available
The New Haven Office of Vital Statistics keeps records for births in the city. You can get certificates for births that took place in New Haven. The office has records going back many years.
For births on or after January 1, 2003, the office can issue State of Connecticut birth certificates. This is due to a state law change. It means you can get a state-level record from the New Haven office. This is helpful if you were born in New Haven but need a state copy.
The office issues two types of certified copies. The full size copy works for all legal needs. It shows all the facts from the original record. The wallet size copy is smaller but still legal. It fits in your pocket.
Both types work for passports, driver licenses, and school forms. Some jobs need a birth record too. Make sure to ask what size they need. Most places take either size.
ID Requirements for New Haven Birth Records
You must prove who you are to get a birth certificate. This rule keeps your records safe. The office staff checks every request. Bring the right ID to avoid delays.
You can get your own birth record if you are 18 or older. Parents can get records for their minor children. Legal guardians need court papers. Spouses need a marriage license. Adult children can get records for their parents.
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. A driver license or state ID works best. Passports are also fine. The ID must not be expired. It must show your photo and signature.
If you lack a photo ID, bring two other papers. A Social Security card plus a utility bill works. A bank statement with your name helps too. The staff needs to verify your identity before they release any birth records.
Note: Birth records are not public for 100 years. Only eligible people can get copies.
New Haven Birth Records Processing Times
How fast you get your birth record depends on how you order. In-person visits are quickest. Online orders are next. Mail orders take the longest.
Walk-in service gives you same-day results. You fill out the form and show your ID. The staff prints your copy. You pay and leave with it. Most visits take under 30 minutes.
Online orders through VitalChek process in a few days. You pick shipping speed at checkout. Standard mail takes longer. Express shipping costs more but arrives faster. Track your order on the VitalChek site.
Mail orders to the New Haven office take one to two weeks. The staff must open your letter and check your ID copy. They process the request and mail it back. Allow extra time for weekends and holidays.
State Birth Records from New Haven Office
Since 2003, Connecticut has let town offices issue state birth certificates. The New Haven Office of Vital Statistics can do this. You do not need to go to Hartford. You can get a state copy right in New Haven.
This is great news for New Haven residents. You save a trip to the state office. You pay the city fee instead of the state fee. The state fee is $30. The city fee is $20. You save money and time.
The state certificate works for all the same things. It has the state seal. It is a legal document. You can use it for federal needs. It is good for passports and other official uses.
This service only works for births from 2003 to now. For older births, you get a city record. The city record is still legal. It just comes from New Haven instead of the state.
New Haven Vital Records Special Hours
The Office of Vital Statistics has regular hours most days. Monday through Friday, they open at 9 AM and close at 5 PM. This gives you a full day to visit.
On the first Wednesday of each month, hours change. The office closes at 2 PM instead of 5 PM. This is for staff training and meetings. Plan your visit around this if you come on a Wednesday.
The office is closed on city holidays. New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and other federal holidays mean the office is shut. Call (203) 946-7931 to check if they are open.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing time. The staff needs time to help you. If you come too late, you may have to return the next day. Early morning visits tend to have shorter lines.
New Haven County Birth Records
New Haven is the largest city in New Haven County. The county has many towns with their own vital records offices. Each town keeps birth records for its own area. If you were born in a different town in the county, you must go to that town's office.