Mississippi Birth Records

Mississippi mandated centralized record-keeping of all births occurring in the state on November 1, 1912. Before this, birth records were kept at the county level or through genealogical archives; however, coverage was inconsistent.

Mississippi birth records are the official documents that detail the live birth of an individual in the state. There are two main types of birth certificate copies in Mississippi:

• Authorized or Certified Copies: It is the official birth certificate that contains detailed information about a registrant's birth. It includes details, such as the child's name, parents' names, birthplace, gender, information, and signature of attending physicians, and the signature of the issuing officer. Typically, certified copies of birth records include a raised seal and are printed on security paper. Certified copies of birth records are valid for all legal, personal, and administrative use. Mississippi does not formally differentiate between the long-form and short-form birth certificates as offered in other states. However, the structure of its birth reflects the characteristics of the long-form birth record.
• Informational or Genealogical Copies: Informational copies of birth certificates contain the same information as the certified version, but lack the security features or raised seal. Usually, it is printed on plain paper and is not valid for legal use. They are typically used for genealogical research or personal use.

How To Order a Mississippi Birth Certificate?

You may order certified copies of Mississippi birth certificates issued from November 1, 1912, to the present from the Mississippi Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records. Record seekers may order the document by mail, online, or in person. Online requests for birth certificates are through a third-party service provider for an additional fee, usually between $9 to $15 for shipping charges in addition to the cost of a certified birth certificate.

Eligible persons may order certified copies of Mississippi birth certificates by mail or at the State Bureau of Vital Records office by completing the Application for Certified Mississippi Birth Certificate form. Complete the form with the relevant information, including a mailing address, regardless of whether you are requesting the document by mail or in person. Include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and a self-addressed, stamped envelope if requesting the document by mail.

It costs $17 to order a certified copy of a birth certificate in Mississippi, with additional copies charged at $6, provided it is obtained at the same time as the original copy. Mail the record request to:

Walk-in requests may be dropped off at:

Are Birth Records Public in Mississippi?

Mississippi does not treat birth certificates as public records. They are confidential vital records governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act. Access to birth certificates in the state is restricted to a few eligible persons who must prove familial or legal interest in the record. Consequently, members of the public cannot obtain or view another person's birth certificate.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in Mississippi?

Certified copies of Mississippi birth certificates may be released only to qualified applicants who can demonstrate a legitimate relationship or interest in the record. Generally, these individuals include:

• The individual named on the birth certificate, if 18 years or older
• The parents are named on the birth record
• Legal guardian or adoptive parents of the registrant
• Immediate family members, including spouse, siblings, children, or grandparents
• Legal representatives of the registrant
• Licensed adoption agencies
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A Mississippi Birth Certificate?

The standard processing time for birth certificates ordered by mail from the Mississippi Bureau of Vital Records is 7-10 business days. Online requests are typically processed within 3-5 business days. The State Bureau of Vital Records does not offer expedited processing for birth certificates. However, persons who need the document urgently may order the document in person. In-person requests are typically processed on the same day.

Where Can I Find Mississippi Birth Records Free?

Certified copies of Mississippi birth records are only available to qualified individuals for a fee. Therefore, unauthorized persons cannot access birth records through the State Bureau of Vital Records. However, there are other resources available to such individuals at no cost.

The National Vital Records Archives provides a "Where to Write for Vital Records" portal, which does not host records but directs you to the correct state office for births beginning November 1, 1912. You may use this as a starting point to identify the county court holding the record.

FamilySearch.org offers extensive free indexes and sometimes digital images of early Mississippi birth registers drawn from county courthouse ledgers and church records. You may access birth records from 1820 to 1912. The platform offers information on a child's name, date, and place of christening, parents' names, and registrar details.

Ancestry.com allows users to view index entries and scanned images of Mississippi birth records from 1854-2009. The platform offers information on parents' names, birth dates, county of birth, and locales for baptisms.

PublicRecords.us aggregates publicly available index data scraped from county and state sources. It provides basic details of birth, including full names, date of birth, and county of birth post-1912. The site is ideal for a quick look-up of relatively recent births.

When Would I Need My Mississippi Birth Records?

A Mississippi birth certificate is a vital legal document that serves as foundational proof of identity, age, citizenship, and parentage. Generally, you may need your certified birth certificate in a wide array of everyday personal, administrative, and legal scenarios, including:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Obtaining a driver's license or state-issued ID
• Obtaining or replacing your Social Security card
• Enrolling in public schools, colleges, or universities
• Enlisting in the military
• Claiming insurance and tax benefits
• Verifying employment eligibility
• Obtaining marriage licenses
• Applying for name changes
• Filing for divorce

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in Mississippi?

You may need a replacement birth certificate if your original birth certificate is torn, faded, illegible, destroyed, lost, or stolen. The process to replace your birth certificate is the same as obtaining a certified copy of your birth certificate.

To replace the document, complete the Application for Certified Mississippi Birth Certificate form. Include a copy of an unexpired government-issued photo ID and a self-addressed, stamped envelope if ordering the document by mail. Mail the record request to the Mississippi Bureau of Vital Records. It costs $17 to replace your birth certificate in Mississippi.

When Can the Public Access Mississippi Birth Certificates?

Mississippi birth certificates are not public records. They are restricted by state law to protect individual privacy. Therefore, Mississippi birth certificates are confidential for 100 years after the date of birth. After this period, the record becomes a public document and may be accessed by anyone for genealogical or historical purposes.

How to Correct an Error on a Mississippi Birth Certificate?

You may correct the following errors on your Mississippi birth certificate:

• Clerical Corrections
• Spelling errors in first, middle, or last names
• Incorrect date of birth (if within two days)
• Wrong place of birth
• Typographical errors in parents' names orthe registrant's sex
• Substantive Amendments
• Date of birth changes by two or more days
• Changing the surname of the child or either parent
• Altering birthplace due to original error or omission
• Adding or removing a father's name

Generally, clerical errors require a notarized affidavit of correction signed by both parents, while substantive amendments require a court order. The Mississippi Bureau of Vital Records has established protocols to amend birth records. Therefore, contact the Amendment unit on (601) 206-8200 or send an email for detailed instructions on how to proceed with the amendment request.

Does Mississippi Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Mississippi does not currently offer a non-binary or gender-neutral option on its birth certificates. The state's legal framework explicitly limits gender markers to "Male" or "Female" on birth certificates and other state-issued documents. Consequently, there is no pathway for residents to get the non-binary gender marker "X" assigned on their birth certificates.