How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Vermont Department of Health, Vital Records Office (state level - Burlington) / City or Town Clerk (can issue for ANY Vermont vital record statewide - Statewide Registry) / Vermont State Archives (for older records)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine eligibility: Vermont birth records are restricted (not fully public). Eligible: the registrant (if adult), parents, legal guardian, legal representative, and others with documented legal interest.
Choose your method:
IN PERSON - Any Vermont Town/City Clerk (fastest and most convenient): Bring valid photo ID; pay $10; can issue for any Vermont birth regardless of where it occurred; same-day service typically
ONLINE - Vermont Vital Records Request Service: secure.vermont.gov/VSARA/vitalrecords - state's authorized online service; credit card accepted (higher total price due to online processing fees); service provided by third party in partnership with VDH and Vermont SOS
BY MAIL - Vermont Department of Health Vital Records: Complete application from healthvermont.gov/stats/vital-records; include photocopy of valid photo ID; check or money order payable to "Vermont Department of Health"; mail to: Vital Records Office, Vermont Department of Health, P.O. Box 70, 108 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05402-0070; $10
IN PERSON - Vermont Dept of Health Vital Records Office (Burlington): 108 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05402; walk-in during business hours; bring photo ID; $10
IN PERSON - Vermont State Archives (Middlesex): 1078 U.S. Route 2, Middlesex, VT 05633; for older records and historical certificates; vital records 2021 and older for marriage/civil union; call (802) 828-3700 before visiting
Submit with valid photo ID and proof of qualifying relationship
Pay the fee

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Completed application form
Clear copy of valid government-issued photo ID
Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting for another person
Payment

Fee

$10 per certified copy (state office or any town Clerk); online: $10 state fee + online processing fees; Vermont has one of the LOWEST vital records fees nationally

Processing Time

Town Clerk in person: same day; state office in person: same day; mail: weeks; online: faster than mail

Online Option

secure.vermont.gov/VSARA/vitalrecords (authorized online ordering)

Where to Go

Any Vermont City or Town Clerk (most convenient - Statewide Registry); VDH Vital Records, Burlington; online at secure.vermont.gov/VSARA/vitalrecords

Vermont Notes

Important state-specific details

$10 fee - one of the lowest in the nation.
ANY Vermont town Clerk can issue certified copies for any Vermont vital event (Statewide Registry) - major convenience.
State has birth records since 1909 (some earlier records from town clerks or State Archives).
Marriage and civil union records post-2021: available through issuing town or state; older: Vermont State Archives.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

VT Department of Health, Vital Records - healthvermont.gov/stats/vital-records | (802) 863-7275 | P.O. Box 70, 108 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05402-0070; Vermont State Archives - sos.vermont.gov/vsara | (802) 828-3700; Online orders: secure.vermont.gov/VSARA/vitalrecords