How to get a Mississippi birth certificate for a loved one (steps, fees, and timing)
Need a certified Mississippi birth certificate for your loved one? Whether it's for ID, benefits, or release planning, you can get one by mail, through a credit-card ordering service, or by walking into the Vital Records office. The key: send the right fee and a valid photo ID so your request doesn't bounce back.
Not just anyone can get a certified birth certificate. Mississippi Vital Records limits who qualifies - you'll need to show a legitimate reason for the request and prove your connection to the person named on the certificate. Ordering for someone who's incarcerated? Plan ahead. Your request goes much smoother when your relationship and purpose are clear from the start.
First, the fee. A birth record search costs $15.00, paid upfront. This nonrefundable fee covers the search and one certified copy if the record is found - or a "Not on File" statement if it isn't.
You'll also need valid, government-issued photo ID. This is the make-or-break piece - Vital Records uses it to confirm you're eligible for a certified copy, and they won't process your request without it.
Heads up: If you don’t provide the proper identification, your application will be returned to you without processing.
If you’re applying by mail, send your request to: Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700.
- ✓ Your completed birth certificate application
- ✓ Advance payment for the nonrefundable $15.00 search fee
- ✓ A copy of your valid, government-issued photo ID
- ✓ Any documentation you have that supports your relationship/authority to receive a certified copy (if requested)
- ✓ Mail the packet to: Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Questions while putting your request together? Call Mississippi Vital Records at 601-206-8200 to confirm exactly what you need to send.
Need to pay by credit card? A private company handles those transactions for Mississippi birth records. Call 1-877-295-4229 or order through the MSDH website.
Expect 7–10 working days for processing after Vital Records receives your request. Add extra time for mailing both ways - especially if you're working toward a deadline for court, benefits, or re-entry planning.
Need it faster? Walk-in service is available at 222 Marketridge Dr., Ridgeland, MS from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
- Make the ID copy first - use a valid, government-issued photo ID, and include a clear copy with your request.
- Double-check the money - include advance payment for the nonrefundable $15.00 search fee so your request isn’t delayed.
- Keep a personal deadline - if your loved one needs the certificate for a time-sensitive situation, don’t wait until the last minute to mail it.
Tip: If anything about your situation is unusual, call Mississippi Vital Records at 601-206-8200 before you send your packet. If you need to use a credit card, the approved private ordering service is available at 1-877-295-4229.
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