How to Find Birth Records in North Dakota

The importance of birth records is evident in how a lot of states have made them confidential documents. However, each and every state has its own way on how to find birth records. This article will look at ways on how to find birth records in North Dakota.

With a population of close to 800 000, North Dakota is found in the Upper Midwest part of the United States. The state started birth registration in 1893 after a law was passed that required births to be recorded. In 1895 the law was annulled to be brought back in 1889. There are a few births that were recorded during this time.

Birth Records in North Dakota

After the formation of the State Department of Vital Records in 1923, records that were in the possession of counties were given to the state. That’s why birth records in North Dakota that were recorded from 1893 can be found from the Department of Vital Records.

There were a few instances of births that were recorded before 1893 in North Dakota. Such records can be obtained by getting in touch with the clerk of District Court in the county where the supposed birth took place. County Clerks information can be found from here.

There are currently no indexes when it comes to North Dakota birth records.

Birth records in North Dakota enable individuals to access birth certificates. Birth certificates has such functions like enrollment in school, gain employment, obtain social security number, apply for social benefits.

Without a birth certificate an individual cannot have access to education, health, legal protection and social assistance benefits.

Basic information that is found in a North Dakota birth record include:

• Date of birth
• Time of birth
• Place of birth
• Child’s full name
• Mother’s name
• Father’s name
• Child’s gender/ sex
• Type of birth
• Mother’s marital status
• Birth registration number

Restrictions to Birth Records in North Dakota

Birth records are not public records until 75 years has elapsed in North Dakota. Until such a time, birth records are only accessible to a few individuals. The following qualify to have access to birth records that are less than 75 years in North Dakota:

• The person named on the birth record (at least 16 years old)
• Parents of the individual named on the birth record
• Individuals other than the above who request North Dakota birth records must possess the following documentation:

1. A court document requiring the Department of Health to issue a certified copy of the Birth Record
2. Authorized documentation which recognizes the person as a legal representative of the individual named on the record
3. A certified consent form signed by one of the three eligible individuals, granting permission.

If you are looking for birth records of a deceased person in North Dakota, you will need to be an immediate family member (child, grandchild, parent, grandparent), provide a copy of their death record (in cases where death happened outside North Dakota State). You will also be needed to produce legal identification.

Other individuals who can access birth records of a deceased person are an authorized representative who acts on behalf of the individual who is deceased. They too must provide a copy of the person’s death record if the death happened outside the North Dakota state.

Obtaining Birth Records in North Dakota

You can get birth records in North Dakota in person or by mail. However, the Division of Vital Records need that certain conditions be met before certified copies of birth records are issued to applicants. One of them is the payment of required fees per record. Another one is the provision of necessary legal photo identification documents that prove the applicant’s eligibility to the records.

There is a primary and secondary list of acceptable forms of identification that the North Dakota Department of Health approve of.

Primary Identification

The following items comprise of the primary documents that an applicant is expected to provide:

• State Government issued Photo ID or Driver’s License
• Bureau of Indian Affairs issued tribal ID card
• S. Government issued Military ID card
• S. Government issued Passport or Visa
• S. Government issued Permanent Resident Card

Secondary Identification

If an applicant cannot provide the above primary identification items, then they have the option to provide two from the following list:

• Social Security Card
• Medicare/Medicaid card
• Utility bill with current address (less than 3 months old)
• Bank statement with recent address (less than 3 months old)
• Pay stub (with your name, SSN, name, and address of your employer)
• Vehicle registration with current address (for the current registration year)
• IRS Tax Return (from the prior year)

Applicants can also provide the notarized application which can act as an alternative to both the above mentioned types of identification.

With these ideas, you can have an answer on how to find birth records in North Dakota. The only thing you will need is time to try them out and see what they have in store for you.