Is VitalChek a legitimate service?

Yes, VitalChek is a legitimate, government-authorized service for ordering vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates), partnered with hundreds of U.S. agencies to provide secure, expedited online ordering, though user experiences vary, with some finding it convenient and fast while others report issues with document processing or communication. It's a real service, owned by LexisNexis, but some customers experience delays or problems with specific agency requirements, so it's essential to provide accurate info and track your order.

Is VitalChek trustworthy?

Yes, VitalChek is a legitimate, government-authorized online service for ordering vital records like birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, partnering with hundreds of U.S. agencies for secure, expedited processing. While it's a trusted platform owned by LexisNexis Risk Solutions with strong security measures (SSL encryption) and generally positive reviews for convenience, some users report extra fees and delays, suggesting that direct ordering from the state agency might sometimes be cheaper or faster if you don't mind the extra steps. 

Is VitalChek a government agency?

About VitalChek

We are a government-authorized service with more than 30 years' experience partnering with hundreds of vital record agencies across the nation.

Is VitalChek an original birth certificate?

Yes, VitalChek sends you an original, government-issued certified birth certificate, printed and shipped directly from the official vital records agency in the state or county where you were born, not from VitalChek itself. VitalChek acts as an online service to collect your information, verify your identity, and process the request for the government agency, ensuring you get an authentic, sealed document for purposes like getting a passport or Real ID. 

Can vital records online be trusted?

Vital Records Online is BBB Accredited.

Is VitalChek Legit | Vitalchek Review 2021 | Vitalchek Legitimacy check

How long does it take for VitalChek to send a birth certificate?

VitalChek processing times for birth certificates vary widely, from a few days with express shipping to several weeks or even months, depending heavily on the state's vital records office, your chosen shipping speed, and if documents need extra review, but generally expect 1-3 weeks for standard online orders with expedited shipping, while mail-in or non-rush online orders can take 3-7 business days to ship after processing (plus mail time) or 2-5 weeks for the whole process, and sometimes longer. 

How does VitalChek verify my identity?

Identity verification documents typically include driver's license, government issued id, or passport but may require other forms of identification also. Click here for more information.

What is the difference between a birth certificate and a vital record?

A birth certificate is the actual official document recording a birth, while a certification of a vital record is a government-issued verification that the birth certificate (or death/marriage record) exists and is authentic, often used for legal purposes like passports, and is distinct from a standard, detailed birth certificate. Think of the vital record as the main event (birth), the birth certificate as the official summary (long form), and the certification of a vital record as the state's stamp of approval on that summary.
 

What services does VitalChek provide?

We work directly with the official government agencies responsible for issuing vital records. Over 450 agencies trust VitalChek as their authorized internet processor for certified birth certificates and other vital records including death, marriage and divorce certificates.

How to verify if a birth certificate is real?

To know if a birth certificate is original (a genuine, legally recognized copy), look for an official seal (raised, embossed, or colored), a registrar's signature, and watermarks, all printed on security paper; modern versions often have a QR code or unique number for digital verification, and you should get it directly from the state's vital records office, not a photocopy. 

Who owns VitalChek?

VitalChek is owned by LexisNexis Risk Solutions (formerly part of LexisNexis) and has been in operation for decades.

Why is it so expensive to get a copy of your birth certificate?

Ordering a birth certificate can seem expensive due to state-mandated fees covering operational costs (staff, record keeping), plus extra charges for processing, security, and expedited shipping, especially from third-party vendors who add significant markups for convenience, making direct government ordering the cheapest option. Costs vary by location, but essential elements include document preparation, background checks, and postage, while urgent requests or third-party sites add premium fees. 

What is the safest way to send a birth certificate?

USPS Certified Mail is your next-safest option to Registered Mail.

Where is the best place to get a birth certificate?

The best place to get a U.S. birth certificate is directly from the Vital Records Office in the state or county where you were born, either in person or by mail, as it's the cheapest and most direct method, avoiding third-party fees. For online orders, use official government partners like VitalChek, which connect you to the appropriate state agency for faster processing than mail but with added costs. 

Does VitalChek answer the phone?

If you experience any difficulty accessing our website content, or have specific questions or concerns, please reach out to our Customer Care associates at 1-888-219-3786 or email us at FIVE9 for assistance.

Is the US birth certificate website legit?

US Birth Certificates is a safe and reliable online resource for getting an official copy of your birth certificate. We provide certified copies of vital records and replacement certificates if you have misplaced the original. No matter what state you live in.

Is VitalChek a legit place to get your birth certificate?

Yes, VitalChek is a legitimate and government-authorized service for ordering birth certificates, acting as an official online partner for hundreds of state and local vital records agencies, though it adds convenience fees for faster processing. While it's a trusted, secure platform that speeds up the process, some users find the extra fees costly compared to ordering directly from the state, and you must order through VitalChek if a state (like NYC or North Carolina) designates it as their sole authorized vendor, but be wary of unauthorized third parties. 

How much is the payment for a birth certificate?

A birth certificate costs roughly $10 to $35 for the first certified copy, varying by state (e.g., $10 in Kentucky/Virginia, $25 in Oregon, $29-$31 in California), with lower fees for additional copies and potential extra charges for expedited service or online processing. Expect a non-refundable search fee included in the total, as costs depend on your state's vital records office.
 

How long will it take to get my birth certificate through VitalChek?

VitalChek processing times for birth certificates vary widely, from a few days with express shipping to several weeks or even months, depending heavily on the state's vital records office, your chosen shipping speed, and if documents need extra review, but generally expect 1-3 weeks for standard online orders with expedited shipping, while mail-in or non-rush online orders can take 3-7 business days to ship after processing (plus mail time) or 2-5 weeks for the whole process, and sometimes longer. 

Is Vital Records legit for birth certificates?

Yes, services like VitalChek and others (e.g., Vital Records Online for some states) are legitimate for ordering birth certificates because they are authorized processors for government agencies, providing secure, expedited ways to get official, government-issued documents, but you must be vigilant to avoid fake sites, using only official links to ensure you're dealing with an approved vendor like VitalChek or directly with your state's vital records office. 

Is a hospital birth certificate a legal document?

A certificate of live birth is completed by hospital staff and used for data submission. A birth certificate is a legal document issued by the state for identification and official purposes.

How do I get a certified true copy of live birth?

Civil registry documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates may be availed of by securing a certified transcript or photocopy from the Municipal Civil Registry Office. Any person/individual concerned or his/her duly authorized person can secure a copy of registered civil registry documents.

Does VitalChek send an original birth certificate?

Yes, VitalChek sends you an original, government-issued certified birth certificate, printed and shipped directly from the official vital records agency in the state or county where you were born, not from VitalChek itself. VitalChek acts as an online service to collect your information, verify your identity, and process the request for the government agency, ensuring you get an authentic, sealed document for purposes like getting a passport or Real ID. 

Is VitalChek secure?

VitalChek meets the requirements of credit card companies for e-commerce/Internet transactions. It encrypts all communication between the user's browser and our servers using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption (RSA 2048 bit certificates along with cipher suites that utilize 128 bit encryption or greater).

Does your SSN show on your birth certificate?

No, your Social Security Number (SSN) is generally not printed on your birth certificate; birth certificates list vital birth info (name, date, place, parents), while the SSN is a separate, sensitive federal identifier issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). While the hospital often sends info to the SSA to get you an SSN at birth, the SSN itself doesn't appear on the official state-issued birth certificate for privacy and space reasons, though some state records might have a different internal "birth number" that gets confused with an SSN.