Colorado Birth Records

Some Colorado counties began keeping birth registers as early as 1876, typically at the local health or county clerk's office. However, in 1907, Colorado officially launched a statewide birth registration system, achieving full compliance across all counties by about 1910.

Colorado birth records serve as the official record of every new life in the state. Colorado law recognizes two forms of birth certificate copies: the long-form birth certificate and the short-form birth certificate.

The long-form birth certificate is a comprehensive record of an individual's birth. It contains the registrant's name, birth parents' names, parents' birthplace, county of birth, attending physician or midwife's signature, filing date, and the official seal of the missing office. The long-form birth record is ideal for all legal transactions, such as obtaining a passport or applying for federal benefits, where the full birth detail is required.

The short-form birth certificate is a condensed summary of key facts of an individual's birth. It is less detailed and typically contains the name, date of birth, and parents' information. It omits detailed information such as the parents' birthplace. Although it is a legally recognized document, the short-form birth record may not be suitable for all purposes. Usually, it is ideal for routine purposes, such as school enrollment or proof of age.

Birth records in Colorado may also be authorized or informational copies. The authorized copy is a government-issued copy bearing the raised or embossed state seal, the signature of the state registrar, and a unique certificate number. It is ideal for situations demanding proof of identity or citizenship. The informational copy is a plain paper reproduction of the birth record, without an official seal or signature. Generally, informational copies of birth records cannot be used for legal or official processes.

How To Order a Colorado Birth Certificate?

You may obtain a Colorado birth certificate from the Vital Records Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Birth certificates may be processed online, through approved third-party services, by mail, or by appointment at the Vital Records Office.

Persons ordering birth records by mail may fill out the Birth Certificate Application form. Provide the event details, including the full name on the certificate and birth dates. Enclose a copy of a valid driver's license or a state-issued ID. If you are not the record holder, include a document that proves your relationship to the record holder. It costs $20 to obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate, with additional copies costing $13 each.

Mail the application form and supporting documents to:

You may also order certified copies of birth records from the nearest local Vital Records Office close to you. You may order birth records in person or by mail. In-person requests for birth certificates do not require scheduling an appointment with the local Vital Records Office.

Are Birth Records Public in Colorado?

Under Colorado law, birth records are confidential records. Not everyone may walk into the Vital Records Office to order another person's birth records. Per state law, only persons with a direct and tangible interest in the birth records are eligible to request certified copies of birth records. Also, unlike some states that make birth records available after a set number of years, Colorado never makes birth records publicly accessible. Nonetheless, while certified copies of birth records are closed to the public, members of the public may order informational copies of Colorado birth records.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Colorado?

In Colorado, birth records are treated as confidential documents, accessible only to those who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the information. Generally, these individuals include:

• The registrant
• The biological or adoptive parents listed on the birth certificate
• Immediate family members, including spouse, domestic partner, children, siblings, stepparents, grandparents, and grandchildren
• Legal guardians and conservators
• Legal representatives
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A Colorado Birth Certificate?

The standard processing time for Colorado birth certificates ordered by mail or online from the Colorado Vital Records office is 30 days. Although the office does not offer expedited service for mail requests, you may get the document faster if you order the birth certificate online or through your local vital records office. They process birth certificates within 3 - 5 business days.

Where Can I Find Colorado Birth Records Free?

Certified birth certificates are closed to the public and only accessible to persons with a direct and tangible interest. Consequently, unauthorized persons cannot obtain certified copies of birth records. However, informational copies of older birth records may be accessible for free through several public sources.

The National Vital Records Archives holds microfilms and indexes of many early Colorado birth registrations. Their online catalog and in-person research room include databases of thousands of birth entries across all Colorado counties. The CDPHE provides indexes and informational abstracts for historical records, records older than 100 years.

FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy website that offers free access to many Colorado birth indexes and images, particularly those over 100 years old. Similarly, Ancestry.com provides access to scanned images of birth registers and delayed registrations from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Trusted third-party websites like PublicRecords.com compile birth record indexes for free viewing. They provide access to a searchable online database of current and old birth records aggregated from multiple public records databases.

When Would I Need My Colorado Birth Records?

A birth certificate is a confidential document that establishes your identity, parentage, and citizenship. Therefore, there are numerous situations where you will have to tender your birth certificate to prove your identity. They include:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Applying for a Colorado driver's license or state ID
• Verify identity when establishing employment eligibility
• Enrolling in a school or a higher institution
• Obtaining government benefits, such as retirement benefits or Medicaid
• Changing your legal name
• Applying for a Social Security card

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Colorado?

A replacement birth certificate is a new certified copy of an existing record issued when the original document has been stolen, damaged, lost, or rendered unusable. The process of replacing your birth record is the same as ordering a certified copy of the birth record in Colorado.

You may order replacement birth certificates at the Colorado Vital Records offices or the vital records office closest to you. To purchase the document, complete the application for the Colorado birth record form. Include all relevant details and a copy of a valid driver's license or state-issued ID. It costs $20 to order a replacement birth certificate in Colorado.

When Can the Public Access Colorado Birth Certificates?

Public access to birth records is restricted in Colorado to protect individual privacy. While Colorado statute does not specify an automatic release to the public after a set period, the CDPHE makes birth records publicly accessible after 100 years.

How To Correct an Error on a Colorado Birth Certificate?

Colorado permits correction of birth records if there are typographical errors, such as misspelled names or missing middle names, on the birth certificate. Only persons eligible to obtain certified copies of birth certificates may apply to correct an error on the document.

To start the process, fill out the Form to Correct or Change a Colorado Birth Certificate, available on the CDPHE website. Ensure to state the incorrect information and provide the correct information. Also, you may include documents, such as school or hospital records, that support your request to amend the birth certificate.

Mail the completed application to the CDPHE. Expect to wait up to 60 business days to process your request to correct the birth record. There is a $20 fee to amend birth records and an additional $20 to obtain a certified copy of the corrected birth record.

Does Colorado Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Yes. Colorado offers gender-neutral options on birth certificates. Since January 1, 2020, Colorado's Jude law (House Bill 19-1039) has made it much easier for anyone born in the state to update the gender on their birth certificate. Codified into Section 25-2-113.8 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the gender marker "X" is a valid gender marker alongside "M" and "F". Per the law, you no longer need proof of gender-affirming surgery or a court decree to change your gender marker.

You may apply to the CDPHE to change your gender marker by completing the birth certificate correction form and the Sex Designation Form. Include a valid government-issued identification. There is a $20 charge to change your gender marker in Colorado. While the state does permit changing gender markers on birth records, individuals may only change them once during their lifetime.