Access Colorado Birth Records
Colorado birth records are vital documents that prove identity and citizenship. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment keeps birth certificates for the entire state. Records date back to 1910. You can get a certified copy from any county vital records office. You may also order online or by mail. Many people need these papers for passports, school enrollment, or driver's licenses. Finding your Colorado birth certificate is simple once you know where to look.
Colorado Birth Records Quick Facts
Colorado Birth Records at CDPHE
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment handles birth records for the entire state. Their Vital Records Section keeps all birth certificates. You can reach them by phone or mail. The main office sits in Denver. Many people start their search here. The staff can help you find records from any county in Colorado. They also handle corrections and changes to birth certificates.
You can visit the CDPHE website to learn about current fees and processing times. The site lists all the forms you need. You can also find a list of local vital records offices. These county offices can issue certificates too. The state office is open Monday through Friday. You need an appointment for in-person visits. No walk-in services are available.
The CDPHE contact page offers several ways to get help. You can call 303-692-2200 during business hours. The office opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 4:30 PM. You may also send an email to vital.records@state.co.us. For sensitive information, use the secure email portal. Visit cdphe.colorado.gov/contact-vital-records for details. The address is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246.
Note: Normal processing time for online orders is thirty business days from the date received.
How to Order Colorado Birth Certificates
You have several ways to get a birth certificate in Colorado. Each method has its own steps and time frames. Pick the one that works best for your needs. Some people need records fast. Others want to save money. Colorado offers options for both.
Online ordering is the most popular choice. You can use GoCertificates or VitalChek. Both sites work with the state. GoCertificates handles birth and death requests only. Their number is 800-324-6380. VitalChek offers phone support at 866-632-2604. These sites add service fees to the state cost. Your order arrives faster than mail requests.
Mail orders take longer but cost less in fees. You must complete an application form. Include a copy of your ID. Add proof that you can get the record. Send payment with your request. The address is on the form. Current processing times are posted online. As of early 2026, mail orders from January 30 were being processed.
In-person visits work well if you live near an office. County vital records offices serve every area of Colorado. You can get same-day service at many locations. Bring your photo ID and payment. Call ahead to check hours and requirements. Some offices require appointments. Find your local office at cdphe.colorado.gov.
Colorado Birth Certificate Fees
Fees for birth certificates changed on January 1, 2026. The new rates apply to all orders. The first copy costs $25. Each extra copy of the same record costs $20. These prices apply when you order together. You can pay by check, money order, or credit card. Cash works for in-person visits.
Online orders have extra costs. GoCertificates and VitalChek add surcharges. These fees pay for the service they provide. The state does not control these added costs. Check the total before you complete your order. The fees help you get your record faster. Many people find the extra cost worth the speed.
Other fees may apply in some cases. A search fee of $20 applies if no record is found. This covers the time spent looking. Index verification costs $17. This service checks that the record exists. You pay these fees even if no certificate is issued. Be sure you have the right facts before you order.
Note: Beginning January 1, 2026, fees increased from $20 to $25 for the first copy.
Who Can Get Colorado Birth Records
Colorado law limits who can access birth certificates. This protects your privacy. Not just anyone can get your birth record. You must show a direct and tangible interest. The state takes this rule seriously. Violations can lead to fines or jail time.
The registrant can always get their own birth certificate. This is the person named on the record. Parents can get copies if their names appear on the certificate. Children may request records with proof of relationship. Siblings need a birth or death certificate showing a shared parent. Spouses must show a marriage certificate.
Legal guardians and lawyers can also request records. They must show proof of their role. Others may need a court order. The state wants to protect personal information. Birth records contain sensitive facts. The law balances access with privacy.
All requests need proof of ID. You must show who you are. A current driver's license works. So does a passport or state ID. The ID must not be expired. If you lack these, two secondary IDs may work. These include a birth certificate or marriage license. Check the full list of approved IDs at the CDPHE website.
Important: As of October 2024, grandparents and grandchildren are no longer immediate family. They need a court order or proof of legal guardianship.
County Vital Records Offices in Colorado
Every county in Colorado has a vital records office. These local offices can issue birth certificates. You do not need to go to Denver. Find the office nearest you. County offices follow the same rules as the state. They charge the same fees. They use the same forms.
County health departments handle these services. They are part of the local public health system. Staff can help you complete your request. They can answer questions about the process. Some offices offer same-day service. Others may need a few days to process your order.
To find your local office, visit the CDPHE website. They have a complete directory. You can search by county name. The results show the address and phone number. Call before you visit. Hours vary by location. Some offices require appointments. The directory is at cdphe.colorado.gov.
Historical Birth Records in Colorado
The Colorado State Archives keeps old birth records. These records date back before 1910. Not all births were recorded back then. Statewide registration began around 1908. Before that, some counties kept their own records. The archives has what survives.
Birth records at the archives must be 100 years old. This follows state access rules. You can search these records in person. You may also request by mail or phone. The archives staff can help with family history research. They have ledgers and docket books. Some records are indexed online.
Counties with early records include Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, and Denver. Custer County has records from 1872. Elbert County has some from 1875. Rio Blanco has records from 1896. Check the archives website for details. Visit archives.colorado.gov to learn more. The archives is at 1313 Sherman St., Room 1B-20, Denver, CO 80203. Call 303-866-2358 for help.
Adoption Birth Records in Colorado
Colorado has special rules for adoption records. When a child is adopted, a new birth certificate is made. This replaces the original. The new record shows the adoptive parents. The original is kept on file. Access to these records is limited by law.
Adult adoptees can get their original birth certificate. This applies to those 18 and older. The rule changed in 2016. Now adoptees born in Colorado can request their original record. It does not matter when the adoption took place. Colorado Revised Statute §19-5-305 covers this access.
Other people may also access these records. Adoptive parents of minor children can request them. Birth parents who gave up a child may apply. Some relatives can get copies with consent. The full list is on the CDPHE website. Visit cdphe.colorado.gov/adoption-information for details.
The Colorado Voluntary Adoption Registry helps people connect. Adult adoptees, birth parents, and siblings can sign up. If both parties register, the state helps them contact each other. This service has fees. Call 303-692-2227 for more information.
Correcting Colorado Birth Certificates
Sometimes birth records have errors. Names may be misspelled. Dates might be wrong. Colorado lets you fix these mistakes. The process depends on what needs changing. Some changes are simple. Others need more proof.
For small errors, file a correction form. You need proof of the right information. Include a copy of your ID. Pay the processing fee. The state reviews your request. Processing takes about 30 business days. You can check current times online. As of early 2026, requests from January 15 were being processed.
Name changes work differently for children under one year. You can correct the name with a simple form. For older children and adults, you need a court order. Visit your local county court. File for a legal name change. Then send that order with your correction request.
Sex or gender designation changes are also possible. Colorado offers four options. You can choose male, female, X, or intersex. This rule came from a 2018 vote. You need a special form and ID. Some changes require a court order. You can only change this once without a court order. Visit cdphe.colorado.gov for forms and rules.
Note: All corrections are processed at the State Vital Records Office. County offices cannot make changes to records.
Delayed Birth Registration in Colorado
Some births were never registered. This happens with home births. It may occur when parents did not file the papers. Colorado allows delayed registration. This creates a birth record for someone older than one year. The process takes time but is possible.
First, you must request a search. The state checks if a record exists. You fill out a birth certificate application. Include your ID and the fee. If no record is found, you get a special letter. This is called a Notification of No Record. It tells you that no birth record exists.
Next, you apply for delayed registration. You have one year from the Notification of No Record date. Complete the delayed birth application. Gather the required support documents. These may include hospital records or family Bible entries. School records may help. Baptismal records can work too. You need proof of the birth facts.
Submit your application with the fee. The state reviews everything. If approved, they create a birth record. You get one certified copy free. This becomes the official record. It has the same value as any birth certificate.
Colorado Laws on Birth Records
Colorado Revised Statutes control birth records. These laws set the rules for access and use. They protect your privacy. They also ensure records are available when needed. Several key statutes apply to vital records.
C.R.S. § 25-2-112 covers birth certificates. It requires filing within a set time. It also covers paternity rules. C.R.S. § 25-2-113 deals with new certificates after adoption. This is how adoptive parents get listed on birth records.
C.R.S. § 25-2-117 makes vital records confidential. Only those with direct interest can access them. Certified copies serve as legal proof. They are valid in all courts. C.R.S. § 25-2-118 sets penalties. False requests can bring a $1,000 fine. You could also face up to one year in jail.
C.R.S. § 25-2-122 allows heirloom certificates. These have special designs. They cost more but look nice. They work for display. You can read the full statutes at law.justia.com.
Browse Colorado Birth Records by County
Colorado has 64 counties. Each one has a vital records office. Select a county below to find local contact information. Learn where to get birth certificates in your area.
Birth Records in Major Colorado Cities
Large cities in Colorado are served by county vital records offices. Pick a city below to learn about birth certificate services in that area.