Monitoring birth outcomes and causes of death has been the basis for keeping track of the health of a population for centuries. Tri-County Health Department issues legal, certified copies of birth certificates. Hospital birth certificates with baby's footprint are not legal documents.

Birth certificates are available for people born in any Colorado county since 1903.

Certified birth certificates are needed for proof of employment, U.S. passport applications, travel to Canada and Mexico, school enrollment, extracurricular activities and to apply for a Social Security card.

Death certificates are issued for deaths that occurred any year only in Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.

Certified Birth Certificates:
Certified birth certificates protect against identity theft and are forgery-resistant documents printed on safety paper with watermarks, raised engraving, background security patterns and sequential numbering. Hospital baby footprint certificates cannot be used as a legal document.

Birth Certificate Fees:
$17.75 first copy, $10 each for additional copy of same name if ordered at the same time. Fax orders: $9.00 credit card fee will be added. Optional FedEx shipping: $20.00.

Death Certificate Fees:
$17.00 first copy, $10 each additional copy if ordered at the same time. One free copy if used by Veterans office. Fax orders: $9.00 credit card fee will be added. Optional FedEx shipping: $20.00. Copies can also be ordered through the funeral home making arrangements.

As of July 1, 2008, the first copy of a birth certificate increased from $17.00 to $17.75. Additional copies will still be $10 each. The seventy-five cent increase will benefit Colorado's Children with Special Needs Program. (Website)

(See Requirements, next column)

Requirements:
Colorado law states that applicants must have a direct and tangible interest in the record requested. All requests must be accompanied by a legible copy of the requester's ID before processing. Options include a valid driver's license, state ID or passport.

Downloadable Forms:
• Birth Certificate Order Form
• Death Certificate Order Form

En Español:
• Partidas de Nacimiento Certificadas
• Imprimir Folleto


Passport Information:
As of January 2007, all U.S. citizens - including children - are required to have a passport for airline travel outside of the U.S.

From June 2009, all adults traveling outside of the U.S. by land or sea also require a passport. Their children under 16 need a certified birth certificate. (Info)

You need a certified copy of a birth certificate to apply for a passport.

NOTE: Tri-County Health Department provides birth certificates, but we do not process passport applications.

Passport Application Links:
• Order Birth Certificates Online
• US Passport Information
• Where to Apply for a Passport
• Search by Zip Code
• Passports - Frequently Asked Questions
• Downloadable Application Forms
• For More Information, Call 1-877-487-2778

Identity Theft Prevention:
• Identity Theft - Colorado Attorney General
• Identity Theft - Repair Kit

Living Wills and Advance Planning:
• American Bar Association - General Info (ABA)
• Healthcare Advance Planning (ABA)
• Myths About Advance Planning (ABA)
• Planning Resources (ABA)
• Colorado Declaration / Living Will Form - PDF
• Colorado Declaration / Living Will Form - MS Word

We believe these websites provide useful information. However, there is no connection to, or endorsement by, Tri-County Health Department.

PDF files can be viewed and printed
with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.