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Nebraska · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Vital Records Office (state level - Lincoln)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: Must have a "proper purpose" - the person named (if adult), parents, grandparents, adult children, siblings, legal guardian, legal representative, or others with documented tangible interest in the record.
  2. Choose your method:
  3. IN PERSON (Lincoln State Office): Nebraska DHHS Vital Records, 301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509; bring valid government-issued photo ID; same-day service available during business hours
  4. BY MAIL: Complete Nebraska birth certificate application (available at dhhs.ne.gov/pages/vital-records.aspx); include photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID; check or money order payable to "Vital Records"; mail to: Nebraska Vital Records, P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065; application can also be downloaded and mailed
  5. ONLINE/PHONE: VitalChek (authorized vendor) - applications charged to Visa or MasterCard; additional VitalChek fees apply
  6. Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship
  7. Pay the fee
  8. FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR VOTING: Nebraska law allows a free certified copy of a birth certificate if the applicant needs it to obtain a state ID for voting purposes and does not currently have a Nebraska driver's license or state ID; request in person or by mail; must indicate on application that purpose is for state ID for voting.
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed birth certificate application
  • Photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID card, passport, or visa)
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting on behalf of another
  • Payment: check or money order payable to "Vital Records" for mail; card for VitalChek
Fee
$17 per certified copy; VitalChek adds additional service fees; FREE for voting-purpose ID applications (must request specifically)
Processing Time
In person: same day in most cases; mail: several weeks; VitalChek: expedited with additional fee
Online Option
Yes - VitalChek (authorized vendor); link available at dhhs.ne.gov/pages/vital-records.aspx
Where to Go
Nebraska DHHS Vital Records, 301 Centennial Mall South, 1st Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509 (in person or mail: P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065)
Nebraska Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Nebraska birth records NOT fully public - restricted to those with proper purpose.
  • State has records from late 1904 to present; for earlier records, contact Nebraska State Historical Society.
  • FREE birth certificate available for those needing ID for voting purposes - important civic access provision.
  • Marriage and divorce records are ALSO held by DHHS Vital Records - unlike many states where marriage records stay at the county.
  • VitalChek is the authorized online vendor.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Nebraska DHHS Vital Records - dhhs.ne.gov/pages/vital-records.aspx | (402) 471-2871 | [email protected] | 301 Centennial Mall South, 1st Floor, Lincoln, NE 68509; mail: P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, NE 68509-5065