Home › Arkansas › How-To Guide
Arkansas · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Division (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Arkansas birth records are confidential until 100 years after the date of birth. Eligible requesters include the person named, parents, legal guardian, spouse, adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, or those with a court order or demonstrated legal interest.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. ONLINE: Order through the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records portal at healthy.arkansas.gov/vital-records - additional processing fees apply ($5 processing + $1.85 identity verification)
  4. BY MAIL: Complete the request form, include copy of photo ID and payment (check or money order payable to Arkansas Department of Health); mail to: Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205; allow 10-14 business days
  5. WALK-IN: Visit the Arkansas Department of Health Vital Records office at 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205; Mon-Fri 8:00 AM-4:30 PM; most certificates issued same day
  6. VitalChek: Expedited online ordering through vitalchek.com - additional fees apply
  7. Submit completed application with valid government-issued photo ID (copy)
  8. Pay the fee
  9. Receive certificate
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate request form
  • Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of relationship if requesting on behalf of another person
  • Driver's license number (for electronic identity verification in online orders)
  • Payment (check or money order for mail; card for online/walk-in)
Fee
$12 first certified copy; $10 each additional copy of same record ordered at same time; $12 non-refundable search fee if no record found; online orders add $5 processing + $1.85 identity verification fee
Processing Time
Walk-in same day (most records); mail 10-14 business days plus delivery; online/VitalChek expedited available
Online Option
Yes - healthy.arkansas.gov/vital-records or vitalchek.com
Where to Go
Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205 (walk-in); or by mail/online
Arkansas Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Arkansas birth records become public (available to anyone) 100 years after the date of birth.
  • Records maintained since 1914 statewide; limited pre-1914 records from 1881 for Little Rock and Fort Smith only.
  • Hospital documents are NOT official certified copies - must be obtained from the Vital Records Division.
  • No cash for mail orders - check or money order only; no temporary checks.
  • Search fee ($12) is non-refundable even if no record is found.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Division - healthy.arkansas.gov/vital-records | (501) 661-2336 | Slot 44, 4815 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72205