Birth Certificates
Boulder County Public Health issues birth certificates for persons born in Colorado.
Order Birth & Death Certificates
Who Can Order
- The person named on the birth record
- Members of the immediate family (proof of relationship is required)
- Legal representatives of those named above
- Others demonstrating a direct and tangible interest in the record
Required Information
- Person’s full name as it appears on the birth certificate
- Date and place of birth
- Parents' names along with mother’s full maiden name
- Purpose for the copy
- Applicant's relationship to the person on the certificate
- Applicant's signature
- Payment for the number of copies requested
- Copy of the requestor's valid identification
Social Security Cards
Parents may register newborns for Social Security cards at the time of birth. The service is free, and takes approximately 2-3 weeks. For more information, please contact:
Social Security Office
4949 Pearl East Circle, Suite 101
Boulder, CO
(800) 772-1213
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Establishing Paternity
If the parents are not married at the time of the child's birth, the father's name will not be listed on the birth certificate unless a "Statement of Paternity" form is filled out. If the "Statement of Paternity" is completed while mother and baby are still in the hospital, there is no charge.
Paternity forms can also be submitted after the child is born to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Vital Record Division. The processing fee is $20.00.
To obtain an Acknowledgement of Paternity form (voluntary) or additional information, contact the State of Colorado Vital Records at 303-692-2230 or vital.records@state.co.us.
Filing Deadlines
Birth certificates must be filed within 10 days of birth with the local registrar or filed directly with the Office of State Registrar, if the birth certificate is filed electronically. Death and fetal death certificates must be filed with the local registrar within five days of the death.
Birth or Death Certificate Change
Changes in birth and death certificates must be made through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Certification Section, Vital Record Division.
- For birth records, call 303-692-2226
- For death records, call 303-692-2188
- For adding a father's name, call 303-692-2230
- For processing recent adoptions, call 303-692-2227
- For filing delayed birth records, call 303-692-2188
Order Birth & Death Certificates
Death Certificates
Boulder County Public Health issues death certificates for persons who died in Boulder County.
Who Can Apply
Certified copies of death certificates may be issued to
- Parents
- Grandparents
- Stepparents
- Siblings
- Spouses
- Adult children
- Stepchildren
- Grandchildren
- Legal representatives of any of the above
- Legal representatives of the deceased
- Probate researchers
- Genealogists representing family members with appropriate credentials
- Others who may demonstrate a direct and tangible interest when information is needed for determination or protection of a personal property right
Required Information
- Person’s name as it appears on the death certificate
- Date and place of death
- Purpose for the copy
- Applicant's relationship to the person
- Applicant's signature
- Payment for the number of copies requested
- Copy of the requestor's valid identification
Requirements for Disposition of Human Remains or Cremains
There is no requirement that a dead human body or fetus be buried in an established cemetery. Bodies or fetuses may be buried on private land unless local ordinances prohibit it. Cremation is considered "final disposition," and the State retains no control over disposition of the ashes. Ashes may be disposed of as the next of kin desires except for any restriction by local ordinances. It is important to check all federal, state, or local laws and ordinances first before disposing of remains.
A funeral director is not required; however, the funeral director or person acting as such who first assumes custody of the body is the person primarily responsible for the process of completing the death certificate, obtaining the medical certification, and filing it with the local registrar in the county of death.
Embalming is not required if disposal is within 24 hours; however, a dead human body or fetus kept longer than 24 hours before burial or cremation MUST be embalmed or properly refrigerated.
The requirement is not specific concerning type or brand of container for transport. The intent is to protect public health and ensure that the dead human body is treated with dignity. The dead human body or fetus must be in a "tightly sealed container that will prevent the leakage of fluids or odor."
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) issues Colorado birth certificates and Boulder County death certificates in accordance with Colorado state law.