How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

Wyoming Department of Health, Vital Statistics Services (state level - Cheyenne) / County Clerk (county level - holds some local records)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine eligibility: Eligible for certified birth certificate: the registrant (if adult), parents, legal guardian, legal representative, spouse, adult children, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and others with documented legal interest.
Choose your method:
IN PERSON - Wyoming Vital Statistics Services (FASTEST - Cheyenne):
2300 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82002 (or check current location at health.wyo.gov/admin/vitalstatistics)
Walk-in service: Mon-Thu 9 AM-4 PM; Friday: by appointment only
Bring valid photo ID; pay $15 (computer abstract/short form) or $20 (certified copy of original/long form)
Same-day or next-day service typically
ONLINE or BY PHONE - VitalChek (authorized):
VitalChek is an authorized vendor; order at vitalchek.com; $15-$20 state fee + VitalChek processing fee; credit card accepted; processing varies
BY MAIL - Wyoming Vital Statistics Services:
Complete application (from health.wyo.gov/admin/vitalstatistics/vitrecservs/certificates); include clear copy of valid photo ID; check or money order payable to "Wyoming Vital Statistics Services" (do NOT send cash); mail to: Vital Statistics Services, Hathaway Building, 4th Floor, 2300 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82002; $15 (computer abstract) or $20 (certified original); processing time: weeks
COUNTY CLERK: Wyoming County Clerks hold marriage records locally (issuing county); birth records at state office primarily; some local county records may predate state records
Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship
Pay the fee
CERTIFICATE TYPES:
- COMPUTER ABSTRACT (short form): $15; current/recent computer-generated summary; sufficient for most purposes including passport
- CERTIFIED COPY OF ORIGINAL RECORD (long form): $20; full copy of the original certificate; required for some purposes
- VERIFICATION: $15; verifies birth facts without a full certificate
- RECORD SEARCH (unknown event date): $20 covers 5-year search period; if record found, certified copy included in fee

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Completed application form
Clear photocopy of valid government-issued photo ID
Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting for another person
Payment: check or money order (mail); cash or card (in-person); VitalChek (online)

Fee

Computer abstract: $15; certified copy of original: $20; verification: $15; 5-year record search: $20 (includes copy if found); VitalChek adds processing fee

Processing Time

weeks COUNTY CLERK: Wyoming County Clerks hold marriage records locally (issuing county); birth records at state office primarily; some local county records may predate state records Step 3 - Submit with valid photo ID copy and proof of qualifying relationship Step 4 - Pay the fee

Online Option

VitalChek (authorized); WY state does NOT have direct online ordering

Where to Go

WY Vital Statistics Services (Cheyenne - walk-in Mon-Thu); VitalChek; mail

County-specific variations apply

Wyoming County Clerks are custodians of marriage records for marriages in their county. For birth and death records, the state Vital Statistics Services is the primary source. Wyoming State Archives (Cheyenne) may have older historical records.

Wyoming Notes

Important state-specific details

Wyoming is a CLOSED RECORD STATE.
NO direct online ordering at WY state website - use VitalChek or in-person.
Birth records public after 100 years; death/marriage/divorce after 50 years.
Do NOT send cash by mail.
State has birth records from approximately 1909 (some earlier county records may exist).
Friday: APPOINTMENT ONLY at WY Vital Statistics - don't walk in on Fridays.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

WY Vital Statistics Services - health.wyo.gov/admin/vitalstatistics | (307) 777-7591 | 2300 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82002; VitalChek (authorized): vitalchek.com