Fort Collins Birth Certificate Access
Fort Collins is the county seat of Larimer County. Home to Colorado State University, this city serves as a hub for northern Colorado. Residents get birth certificates through the Larimer County Health Department. The city does not have its own vital records office. All requests go through the county. This office serves Fort Collins and surrounding towns. You can get certificates for any Colorado birth. Records date back to 1910. The process is simple once you know where to go.
Fort Collins Birth Records Quick Facts
Fort Collins Birth Records Office Location
Larimer County Vital Records is your source for birth certificates. The office sits at 1525 Blue Spruce Drive in Fort Collins. This location is on the west side of town. It is near the foothills. The office is easy to reach from anywhere in Fort Collins. Parking is free and plentiful.
The phone number is 970-498-6700. Call with questions about services. The staff can explain the process. They can tell you what to bring. Hours are Monday through Friday. The office closes on county holidays. Check the website for current hours.
This office issues birth certificates for any Colorado county. You do not need to be born in Larimer County. Just visit this office if you live in Fort Collins. The staff processes requests for all state births. This makes it convenient for residents. You can handle everything locally.
How to Get Fort Collins Birth Certificates
Larimer County offers three ways to order. Each fits different needs. You can visit in person. You can mail your request. Or you can order online. Pick the option that works for your situation.
In-person visits require an appointment. This is a recent change. Call ahead to schedule. Bring your completed application. Show your current photo ID. Pay the fee. The staff will process your request. Many certificates are ready the same day. Some take longer if research is needed.
Mail orders work well for those who cannot visit. Download the form from the Larimer County website. Fill it out completely. Attach a copy of your photo ID. Include payment by check or money order. Send to the Blue Spruce Drive address. Allow several weeks for processing.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek. This is a state-approved service. They charge a $7.50 surcharge. Your order processes faster than mail. You can track it online. This works from anywhere with internet access.
Fort Collins Birth Certificate Fees
Fees follow state standards. They are the same in all Colorado counties. The first copy costs $25. Each extra copy of the same record costs $20. These rates took effect January 1, 2026. Prices apply no matter how you order.
You can pay with cash at the office. Checks and money orders work for mail. Credit cards are accepted in person. Online orders use credit cards only. The VitalChek surcharge is extra. It is not part of the state fee.
If no record is found, you pay a search fee. This costs $20. It applies even if they find nothing. Be sure your information is accurate. Check the spelling of names. Verify birth dates. This helps avoid wasted fees.
Who Can Get Fort Collins Area Birth Records
Colorado limits access to birth certificates. Privacy laws protect these records. Larimer County follows state rules. You must prove you have a right to the record. You must show proper ID.
The person named on the certificate can always get a copy. Parents listed on the record can request. Children may apply with proof of relationship. Spouses need a marriage certificate. Siblings must show they share a parent. Legal guardians need court documents.
Grandparents and grandchildren have new limits. As of October 2024, they are not immediate family. They need a court order or proof of guardianship. This is a major policy change. Be sure you qualify before applying.
All requests need valid ID. Bring a current driver's license or passport. State-issued ID works too. Documents must not be expired. For mail orders, send a clear photocopy. The office cannot process without proper ID.
Historical Larimer County Birth Records
Old birth records sit at the Colorado State Archives. They must be 100 years old for public access. This follows privacy laws. Larimer County records date back before statehood. Early registration was not consistent. Some births were never recorded.
The State Archives is in Denver. It sits at 1313 Sherman Street. You can visit in person by appointment. You can also request by mail. Call 303-866-2358 for help. Some records are indexed online. Visit archives.colorado.gov to search.
Genealogists research these records often. They trace family lines in northern Colorado. The archives staff can help with searches. Bring all information you have. Full names help. Dates and places narrow the search. Old handwriting can be hard to read. Staff experience helps with this challenge.
Newborn Birth Certificates in Fort Collins
New parents need to know the rules. Hospitals register births. They do not give you certificates. You must order them yourself. This applies to Poudre Valley Hospital. It applies to Medical Center of the Rockies. All hospitals follow the same process.
The hospital sends a Report of Birth to vital records. This happens after delivery. Once registered, you can order a certificate. Wait about two weeks. Then contact Larimer County Vital Records. You can visit in person. You can also order by mail or online.
Social Security cards come automatically. The hospital helps start this process. The Social Security Administration mails the card. You do not need to order it separately. Cards arrive within a few weeks. Call the SSA with questions about timing.
Colorado 150th Anniversary Birth Certificates
Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. The state offers special commemorative certificates. You can get the official 150th Anniversary logo on your birth certificate. This is free of charge. It is available for certificates issued in 2026 only.
The logo appears in grayscale. It prints on the certificate face. This is a special keepsake. It celebrates Colorado history. You can request it when ordering. Check the box on your application. The option is available through all county offices.
This offer ends December 31, 2026. After that, standard certificates resume. If you want the special logo, order this year. It makes a unique memento. It is especially nice for newborns in 2026.
Fort Collins Vital Records Office Contact
| Office | Larimer County Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80524 |
| Phone | 970-498-6700 |
| Website | larimer.gov/health |
| Note | Appointment required for in-person visits |
Larimer County Birth Records
Fort Collins is the seat of Larimer County. All birth certificate services for city residents are handled by the Larimer County Health Department. For more information about services, visit our Larimer County page.