There's no single federal office that issues birth certificates — every request has to go through the vital records office in the specific state (or territory) where you were born, not a national database. * Before you request anything, you'll need to know the city and county where the birth took place, since that's often required to locate the record. Most states now offer three ways to request a copy: online through the state's vital records website or an authorized third-party service, by mail directly to the vital records office, or in person, sometimes even at the county office where the birth was originally registered. * Online requests are generally the fastest option, since the request routes directly into the state's processing system without a mail delay on either end. Mail requests take considerably longer — plan on roughly 12 weeks from when your paperwork arrives until you receive your certificate, since it involves manual processing and a return mailing. * Whichever method you use, expect to provide identifying details (your full name, date of birth, and your parents' names), a form of identity verification, and payment — third-party services processing the request may charge more than going directly through the state's own office. * If you're not sure which state's vital records office to contact, the CDC maintains a reference page listing the correct vital records contact for every state, which is the most reliable starting point if you don't already know.