District of Columbia · County vital records
District of Columbia Vital Records
Where and how to request certified birth, death, and marriage certificates for District of Columbia, District of Columbia — including the responsible state office, current fees, and what to bring with you.
About District of Columbia
District of Columbia is one of 1 counties and county-equivalents in District of Columbia recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau (FIPS code 11001, ANSI identifier 01702382). Vital records for events that occurred in District of Columbia are filed with the appropriate state office and, in many cases, mirrored locally with the county clerk, register of deeds, probate court, or county recorder, depending on local custom in District of Columbia.
Pick the certificate you need
Birth certificate
Certified copy for passports, REAL ID, school enrollment, and benefits eligibility.
Open guide →Death certificate
Certified copies for probate, life insurance, Social Security, and title transfer.
Open guide →Marriage certificate
Certified marriage records for name changes, immigration filings, and joint accounts.
Open guide →How requests work in District of Columbia
Birth and death certificates for any event recorded in District of Columbia are issued by the D.C. Department of Health, Vital Records Division. Statewide registration in District of Columbia began approximately 1874. Birth records since August 1874 and death records since January 1855. Marriage certificates are issued by the D.C. Superior Court Marriage Bureau.
For most certified copies the process is the same: complete an application form (online portal or paper form), present a clear photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID, supply the basic facts of the event (full names, date, and place), pay the applicable fee, and provide a return mailing address. The current state-office fee schedule for District of Columbia is $23.00 for a birth certificate, $18.00 for a death certificate, and Contact court for a marriage certificate. County offices may add their own service charge or expedited handling fee.
Methods accepted by most counties
- In person: Visit the county office that holds the record, or the state vital records office in person. In-person service typically returns a certified copy the same day.
- By mail: Mail a completed application with payment by check or money order made out to the issuing office, a photocopy of your ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail processing typically takes 2–6 weeks.
- Online: Most states partner with VitalChek or a similar approved vendor. Online orders carry a service surcharge but are usually delivered within 5–10 business days.
- By phone: Some county and state offices accept telephone orders with a credit card payment for in-state requesters.
Tips for a successful request
- Spell the names exactly as they appear on the original record — including maiden names for marriage and birth records.
- Include the approximate date of the event. If unknown, supply the year range you believe is correct.
- If you are not the registrant, document your relationship: copies of your own birth certificate or marriage license usually establish a parent, child, or spouse relationship.
- Order extra certified copies of death certificates upfront. Estates routinely need 6–12 originals to process insurance, retirement, and title transfers.