VITAL RECORD APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Ridgefield maintains records of births, marriages, civil unions, domestic partnerships and deaths that have occurred in Ridgefield.  Certified copies of Ridgefield’s vital records may be purchased by mail or in person in our office.

Certified copies of vital records may only be obtained by the following list:
   ●  The subject of the record
   ●  The subject’s parent, legal guardian or legal representative
   ●  The subject’s spouse/civil union partner/domestic partner; child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age
   ●   A state or federal agency for official purposes
   ●   Pursuant to court order

To establish proof of relationship for…………………

●  Your own birth certificate your valid ID is acceptable; however, if you have assumed your spouse’s or civil union partner’s surname, provide a copy of your marriage or civil union certificate to link the name on your current ID to the name on your birth certificate.

●  Your child’s birth certificate, if the name on your identification matches the name of the child’s parent then your identification will establish your relationship.  If your current name does not match the name as recorded on the birth certificate, as the parent you will need to supply a copy of your marriage or civil union certificate or legal name change.

●  Your spouse’s/civil union partner’s birth record, provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate.

●  Your grandparent’s vital record, you must establish that you are the person’s grandchild by linking the name on your ID to the name of the grandparent.  For example, if you changed your last name after marriage/civil union and want a grandparent’s vital record, you must:
1.     Provide your marriage/civil union certificate to show your name at birth
2.     Provide your birth certificate to identify your parent
3.     Provide the parent’s birth certificate to identify the grandparent

VITAL RECORD APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1.    A  Completed Application for Non-Genealogical Copy of a Vital Record

Application forms are available at our office and our website.  All applicable sections of the application must be fully completed.  Complete the section of the application form that applies to the type of record that you are requesting.  When entering names, it is important that you include exact information, full dates and full and complete legal names. Middle names must be completely spelled out, with no use of initials.

2.    IDENTIFICATION:   Vital record applications must be completed in full and submitted with acceptable valid identification:

Valid photo driver’s license or photo non-driver’s license with current address OR valid driver’s license without photo and an alternate form of ID with current address OR two alternate forms of ID, one of which must show the current address:

Vehicle Registration Card
Vehicle Insurance Card
Voter Registration Card
US/Foreign Passport
Immigrant Visa
Permanent Residence Card (Green Card)
Federal/State ID
School ID
Utility Bill or Bank Statement (within last 90 days)
W-2 for current or the previous tax year

3.    FEES AND PAYMENT:  The fee for a certified copy of a record is $15.00 for one copy and $10.00 for each additional copy of the same record purchased at same time.  Checks or money orders must be made payable to the Ridgefield Health Department.   

If you have any further questions, please contact the Ridgefield Health Dept. at (201) 943-6062.