VitalChek Background and Process.
What it is: VitalChek is a private company — not a government agency — that is authorized by individual states to help process official vital records requests online. It serves as the exclusive partner for more than 500 U.S. government agencies and processes more than 4 million orders per year. It's been operating for over 35 years and is owned by LexisNexis Risk Solutions.
How the process works:
You go to VitalChek's website, select the state or local agency that holds your records, fill out the application with details like full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents' names. VitalChek then forwards your request to the state or county agency that actually issues the certified document — the certificate you receive comes from the government agency, not from VitalChek itself. You may need to upload a government-issued photo ID and, if ordering for someone else, proof of your relationship to the person named on the record.
For Real ID purposes specifically, certified copies are typically the only type accepted when used to obtain a state or federally-issued photo ID. You can order birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and death certificates — all the documentary chain you'd need to demonstrate identity and legal name changes at the DMV. If your name has changed through marriage, for instance, you'd order both the birth certificate (identity/citizenship proof) and the marriage license (name-change proof).
Security measures:
VitalChek uses LexisNexis technology for electronic identity verification on most orders, which confirms identity quickly and securely. They operate under PCI-compliant security standards, which include stringent data security audits. For security purposes, VitalChek does not handle the certificates themselves nor does it control the actual issuing and shipping process — those actions are all handled by the government agency. The certificate is shipped to the address associated with the credit card used, which is an anti-fraud measure. They also collect standard information automatically (IP address, browser data, cookies) as described in their privacy policy, which is managed under the LexisNexis privacy framework.
Costs:
This is where VitalChek's convenience comes at a price. The total cost typically ranges from about $38 to $58 for a single copy with standard shipping. That breaks down into three components: the state/agency fee (typically $15–$40 depending on jurisdiction), a VitalChek processing fee that generally falls between $2 and $16 depending on jurisdiction, and shipping. You can order directly by mail or in person from the issuing authority, which is often cheaper because you skip the VitalChek processing fee, but it may require more paperwork and longer waits.
Key caveats to be aware of:
Fees are non-refundable — the fee is for the search, not the document itself. If the record isn't found, you may receive a "no record" letter but no refund. Processing times vary widely by agency — anywhere from a few days to several weeks — and VitalChek has no control over that. Also, impostor websites mimicking VitalChek's name and appearance are common, so it's important to make sure you're on the actual vitalchek.com domain.
Bottom line for Real ID prep: It's a legitimate and reasonably secure way to get the documents you need, particularly if you were born out of state or need records from multiple jurisdictions. The convenience premium over ordering directly from the issuing agency is modest — roughly $7 to $15 extra per document. For someone assembling the documentary chain for a Real ID (birth certificate + marriage license to show name change, for example), being able to order everything online from one interface rather than mailing separate applications to different state agencies is worth considering.
Order Birth Certificates Online | VitalChek
Order Birth Certificates Online | VitalChek
How VitalChek Works
What Do You Need?
To complete your order smoothly, please have the following information ready:
Personal Details
Full name, date of birth and place of birth.
- Identification:
Not all orders require this, but you may need a valid government-issued ID (e.g., driver's license, passport). - Proof of Entitlement:
Occasionally, we'll need documentation proving your right to access the certificate. - Payment Method:
Credit or debit card.
Birth Certificates
Our vital records are certified official documents provided directly by government agencies.
Here's what you can expect on your certificate:
- Accurate and Up-to-date Information:
All data is verified to ensure accuracy. - Official Seal and Signatures:
Each certificate is legally recognized and comes with official seals and signatures directly from the government agency. These can be used for drivers licenses, insurance, travel benefits and more. - Secure and Confidential:
Your personal information is handled with the highest security and confidentiality.
Order Birth Certificates Online | VitalChek
VitalChek has partnered with vital record agencies within the United States to bring you the ability to order the vital records you need.
Need a different certificate?
We can also help you obtain your Death, Marriage, Divorce certificates. We can also help if you need certificates from other states. Order your certificate now..
We have direct relationships with state and local government agencies in the United States.
That means we can process your request quickly, affordably, and securely. The only thing faster is doing it in person, but that's not always possible or convenient, and that's why we're here.
- Experienced
- Authorized
- Transparent
- Secure
- Fast
Hundreds of government agencies nationwide exclusively trust VitalChek for accepting their birth certificates and other vital record orders.
Our easy application process will help you find the right agency and certificate for your specific needs.
Why should you trust VitalChek?
- 4 million vital documents processed per year
- More than 35 years of experience
- 100% compliance with the highest level PCI standards to protect your personal information
ORDER NOW
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