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How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), Office of Vital Records (state level - Carson City) / County/District Health Departments (local level - Clark and Washoe counties)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Nevada birth records are CONFIDENTIAL (NRS 440.650, NAC 440.070). Eligible requesters: the person named (if adult), parents, legal guardian, court-appointed representative, grandparents, siblings, or others with documented tangible interest.
  2. Determine which office holds the record:
  3. - For Clark County births 1973+: Southern Nevada Health District (Las Vegas)
  4. - For Clark County births before 1973: State Office in Carson City
  5. - For Washoe County births (all years): Northern Nevada Public Health (Reno) - fastest option
  6. - For all other Nevada counties (any year): State Office in Carson City
  7. Choose your method:
  8. IN PERSON (Washoe County - Reno): Northern Nevada Public Health, 1001 E. Ninth Street, Reno, Building B, 1st floor (east side); bring valid photo ID; window hours: 8 AM-12:45 PM and 2-4 PM Mon-Fri
  9. IN PERSON (State Office - Carson City): 4150 Technology Way, Suite 104, Carson City, NV 89706; appointments required for specialized services; walk-in service limited - contact ahead
  10. MAIL / DROP-OFF (Clark County): Southern Nevada Health District Vital Records, Las Vegas; allows 2-4 weeks processing; NO same-day service
  11. MAIL (State DPBH): Complete application; send to Office of Vital Records, 4150 Technology Way, Suite 104, Carson City, NV 89706
  12. ONLINE/PHONE (VitalChek): Authorized vendor; additional service fees; credit cards accepted
  13. Submit with valid photo ID and proof of qualifying interest
  14. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate application
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (original for in-person; photocopy for mail)
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting on behalf of another
  • Payment: varies by method; check/money order for mail; card often accepted in person
Fee
State Office: $25 per certified copy (includes $13 registration fee for first-time ordering); Clark County/Southern Nevada Health District: varies (check snhd.org for current fees - $13 registration fee may apply); Washoe County: verify at nnph.org; VitalChek adds service fees
Processing Time
Washoe County in-person: same day to several days; Clark County/Southern Nevada: 2-4 weeks; state office mail: weeks; VitalChek: expedited
Online Option
VitalChek (authorized vendor); state and Clark County also accept mail/drop-off
Where to Go
NNPH (Washoe County - Reno) for Washoe County births; SNHD (Clark County - Las Vegas) for Clark County births 1973+; State Office (Carson City) for older Clark County records or any other Nevada county
County-specific variations apply

Clark County (Las Vegas area) and Washoe County (Reno area) each have their own health district vital records offices. All other Nevada counties use the state Office of Vital Records in Carson City. There is no same-day service at Clark County or the state office; Washoe County is fastest for in-person.

Nevada Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Nevada birth records CONFIDENTIAL; restricted to eligible requesters per NRS 440.650.
  • State has records from 1911 to present; older records at Nevada State Archives.
  • Clark County records from 1973+; pre-1973 Clark County records at state office.
  • NO same-day service at Clark County or state office; Washoe County offers faster in-person processing.
  • Beware unauthorized third-party vendors - only VitalChek is authorized.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
$25 per certified copy (includes $13 registration fee for first-time ordering); Clark County/Southern Nevada Health District: varies (check snhd.org for current fees - $13 registration fee may apply); Washoe County: verify at nnph.org; VitalChek adds service fees PROCESSING TIME: Washoe County in-person: same day to several days; Clark County/Southern Nevada: 2-4 weeks; state office mail: weeks; VitalChek: expedited ONLINE OPTION: VitalChek (authorized vendor); state and Clark County also accept mail/drop-off WHERE TO GO: NNPH (Washoe County - Reno) for Washoe County births; SNHD (Clark County - Las Vegas) for Clark County births 1973+; State Office (Carson City) for older Clark County records or any other Nevada county