Parents must register a home birth with the Arizona Office of Vital Records.
Births that occur in the state of Arizona must be registered with the Arizona Office of Vital Records (azdhs.gov) as mandated by Section 36-333 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. In most cases, registration is completed by the hospital. In some circumstances, such as home births, the parents may need to register the birth. Registration forms are available through the Vital Records office. Requirements vary depending on the circumstances of birth and the timeframe of registration.
Certificate of Live Birth
A certificate of live birth is the main form used to register a birth. When the baby is born at a medical facility, the hospital staff registers the birth using this form. For home births, a parent or another adult present for the delivery should submit the certificate of live birth to the Office of Vital Records in person or by mail within seven days. No fees apply for registration during the first seven days. Registration after seven days, but within the first year, is considered late registration and must include additional documentation confirming the presence of both mother and baby in Arizona at the time of birth.
Acknowledgment of Paternity
If the parents are not married at the time the baby is born, a paternity acknowledgment form can be submitted to the Office of Vital Records along with the certificate of live birth. The acknowledgment allows the father to voluntarily claim paternity of the child and have his name listed on the birth certificate. This form can be submitted at the time of birth or later on in the child's life. If the father is not willing to sign the acknowledgment, a court order establishing paternity must be obtained to list the father on the birth record.
Application for a Birth Certificate
If a birth is not registered within one year, a parent or guardian can begin the process for delayed registration by submitting an application for a birth certificate to verify that no birth record already exists. Applications are available online through the Office of Vital Records website. As of 2011, a nonrefundable fee of $10 must accompany the completed application. A search will be conducted for a birth record and, if none is found, a certificate of no birth record will be sent to the applicant. The certificate is valid for five years from the date of issuance and is required for processing a delayed birth registration.
Application for Delayed Birth Certificate
To register a birth after a child has reached one year of age, a delayed birth certificate application and notarized affidavit of birth facts must be completed by a parent or guardian. A fee of $10 is required to process the application. In addition, the applicant must furnish supporting documents that establish the mother's presence in Arizona at the time of birth, such as a medical record or utility bill, as well as school or medical records of the child. To have the father listed on the birth certificate, an acknowledgment of paternity or marriage certificate should also be included. Further documentation may be requested by the Vital Records office upon review of the application.
Tags: Vital Records, Office Vital, Office Vital Records, birth record, birth certificate, live birth, register birth