Birth Records in Apache County

Apache County issues birth certificates at the Office of Vital Records in St. Johns. This office can give you a certified copy for any Arizona birth, not just births in Apache County. The staff provides same day service if you walk in during open hours. You must prove you have a legal right to the birth record. Parents, the person named on the certificate, and close family members can request copies. The office is on the second floor at 75 West Cleveland Street in St. Johns. Call ahead at 928-337-7525 or 928-337-7668 if you have questions about what documents you need to bring.

Apache County Office of Vital Records

The Apache County Office of Vital Records sits on the second floor of the county building at 75 West Cleveland Street in St. Johns. Mail goes to P.O. Box 697, St. Johns, AZ 85936. You can reach staff by phone at 928-337-7525 or 928-337-7668. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to noon and from 1pm to 4pm. It closes every Friday. This four day work week is standard for many Apache County offices.

The office also closes on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month for outreach to Navajo Nation communities. Staff travel to Ganado and Chinle on these days to help residents who cannot easily get to St. Johns. If you plan to visit in person, call first to make sure the office will be open. The outreach schedule can change based on need and weather. Same day service is available when the office is open. Walk ins are welcome. Most requests are processed while you wait if you bring the right documents and payment.

Learn more about Apache County vital records services at www.apachecountyaz.gov/Vital-Records. This page has forms, fees, and contact details. You can also find info about death certificates and other vital records. The main county website at www.apachecountyaz.gov lists all county services and office locations across Apache County.

The county website includes downloadable forms and a list of acceptable ID documents. You can print forms at home before you visit.

How to Get Birth Certificates

You can get Apache County birth certificates in person or by mail. Walk in service is the fastest option. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver license or state ID card. You also need proof of your relationship to the person on the birth certificate if you are not that person. A parent can show their own ID. A sibling might need to bring their own birth certificate to prove the family link. Fill out the application form at the office. Staff will check your documents and print the certificate if everything is in order.

Mail requests take longer. Download form VS-11 from the state website or the county site. Fill it out completely. Sign the form. Include a copy of your photo ID. Do not send your original ID. Send payment with the form. Apache County does not accept cash or personal checks. You must use a money order or pay by credit or debit card. For mail orders, include a money order. Write down a phone number where staff can reach you if they have questions about your request.

Mail your completed form, ID copy, and payment to P.O. Box 697, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Processing usually takes one to two weeks after the office receives your request. The county will mail the certified birth certificate to the address you wrote on the form. Make sure your address is clear and correct. Include a return envelope with postage if you want faster service, though this is not required in Apache County.

Fees and Payment Options

A certified birth certificate costs $20 in Apache County. This matches the state fee set by Arizona law. Each copy costs $20 even if you order more than one at the same time. If you need to amend or correct a birth certificate, the fee is $30. Amendments require extra documents to prove the change is valid, such as a court order or an affidavit from the hospital.

Apache County accepts credit cards, debit cards, and money orders. The office does not take cash. It does not accept personal checks. If you visit in person, you can pay by card at the counter. A small processing fee may apply for card payments. If you mail a request, send a money order made out to Apache County. Do not mail cash. Card payments by mail are not an option. Plan ahead so you have the right form of payment when you apply.

Services for Navajo Nation Residents

Apache County includes large parts of the Navajo Nation. Many residents live far from St. Johns. The county provides outreach services to make vital records more accessible. Staff travel to Ganado and Chinle on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month. They set up temporary offices where people can apply for birth certificates and other vital records. This service helps families who would otherwise have to drive two or three hours to reach the main office in St. Johns.

The outreach dates are scheduled in advance but can change due to weather or other needs. Call the main office at 928-337-7525 to confirm when staff will be in your area. Bring the same documents you would need in St. Johns. Same day service is usually available at the outreach sites. Payment options are the same. You can use a credit or debit card or bring a money order. Outreach staff speak English and often have resources in other languages used in Apache County communities.

You can view the county Public Health Services page at www.apachecountyaz.gov/Public-Health-Services for updates on outreach schedules and locations. This page lists other health services offered across Apache County as well.

The Public Health department coordinates vital records services with other programs like immunizations and health screenings that may be available during outreach visits.

Who Can Request Birth Records in Apache County

Arizona law limits who can get birth certificates. You must be an eligible requester. The person named on the birth certificate can request their own record if they are 18 or older. Parents listed on the certificate can get copies at any time. Spouses can request a copy if they show a marriage certificate. Adult siblings, adult children, and grandparents may request copies if they prove their relationship to the person on the record.

Legal guardians need a court order that shows they have authority. Attorneys can request records for clients if they provide proof they represent an eligible party. Government agencies can get copies for official business. Some young people age 16 and 17 can request their own birth certificate if they are in DCS custody or experiencing homelessness. All requesters must show valid photo ID and prove their relationship to the person on the birth certificate when they apply in Apache County.

Note: The office will not issue a birth certificate to anyone who does not meet these rules under state law.

Statewide Birth Records Database Access

Apache County connects to the Arizona statewide vital records system. This means the local office can issue a birth certificate for any Arizona birth. You do not need to visit the county where you were born. If you were born in Phoenix but live in Apache County, the St. Johns office can still give you your birth certificate. The state database holds all Arizona birth records from July 1909 to the present. County staff access this central system to verify records and print certified copies.

The statewide system ensures that all birth certificates have the same format and security features no matter which county issues them. Each certificate has a raised seal and the registrar's signature. These features make the document official for legal use. You can use a birth certificate from Apache County anywhere in the United States or abroad. Schools, government agencies, and employers will accept it as proof of birth and identity.

VitalChek Online Orders

You can order Arizona birth certificates online through VitalChek. Visit www.vitalchek.com to start an order. VitalChek is the state's official vendor for online vital records. The service is available 24 hours a day. You pay by credit or debit card. VitalChek adds service fees on top of the $20 state fee. Shipping costs extra if you want the certificate sent fast.

Online orders require you to upload a photo ID. The system verifies your identity and checks that you are eligible to get the record. If approved, your order is sent to a county office or the state for processing. Delivery takes about one week for standard shipping. Expedited options cost more but get the certificate to you in a few days. Online ordering through VitalChek is convenient if you cannot visit Apache County in person and want faster service than regular mail.

Other Arizona Counties

Apache County borders Navajo County to the south and Greenlee County to the southeast. If you live near the county line, you might find it easier to visit a vital records office in a neighboring county. All Arizona counties can issue birth certificates for any state birth. Navajo County has offices in Holbrook and Show Low. Greenlee County has offices in Clifton and Duncan. Check the hours and payment options for each office before you go.

Visit our pages for Navajo County and Greenlee County to learn about their vital records services. You can also view a full list of all Arizona counties on our counties page. Each county has different hours and rules for walk in visits, so it pays to check before you drive to an office.