Birth certificate requests are handled by the vital records registry of the state, county, or parish in which the requestor was born. An accurately completed application for certified copy of birth certificate is required to honor such requests. These applications are processed as quickly as possible upon receipt.

However, certain factors can lengthen processing times. Chief among them is faulty information on the application. This is why it's so important to double check your completed application to avoid a frustrating delay in its processing.

More about Birth Certificate Requests

Another reason for delays in processing of birth certificate requests is backlog. Vital records offices can get slammed with requests. They have limited resources with which to deal with these requests. Thus, turnaround times can and do vary.

To give you an idea of this variation, fulfillment of birth certificate requests can take anywhere from 24 hours to several months. You may be able to get some idea from inquiring at the office in question. If you're not able to wait that long, you may be wise to avoid the vital records route altogether and instead enlist the help of a quick online birth certificate service.