Frequently Asked Questions about Life Event Records

No. You must contact the vital records office in your U.S. territory to get your birth certificate.

U.S. territories include Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Marianas Islands, and American Samoa.

No. While the U.S. military controls the U.S. military base, the land remains the sovereign territory of the host country.

You must show your claim to U.S. citizenship in the same way as any other U.S. citizen born overseas. If you are outside the United States, you need to apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a U.S. passport at a U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate.

Yes. The U.S. Department of State can issue a CRBA to a U.S. national who got their status at birth if they can show their relationship to U.S. national parents.

No. Due to the unique nature of our records, we cannot provide expedited service. The Vital Records Office does not create new records. We can only provide official copies of records that are on file with the U.S. Department of State.

No. Due to Privacy Act requirements, we can only issue physical records after receiving:

• A notarized, completed Form DS-5542
• Fees for the service you are requesting
• Photocopies of necessary IDs

Your case may not be in our system yet.  It can take up to 4 weeks before we receive your package. Your package goes first to a mailing facility in Sterling, VA which scans it and puts it through security screening. The package is then sent to our office in Washington, D.C.

Yes. We change our processing times as demand for vital records changes during the year. From late winter into summer, demand for vital records is generally high. Plan ahead and apply in the late fall and early winter when processing times are generally faster. 

Our processing times are a range. You may receive your vital record on a different date than someone who sent a request on the same date as you.

No. Laminating a document will invalidate it because it will destroy security features.

Yes. Make high-quality photocopies of your records and store them in safe places.