Cochise County Birth Certificates

Cochise County Health and Social Services operates five vital records offices where you can get birth certificates. These locations serve Sierra Vista, Bisbee, Douglas, Benson, and Willcox. All five sites provide same day service for walk in requests. You can get a birth certificate for any Arizona birth at any of these offices. Staff will help you fill out forms and check your documents. Bring valid photo ID and proof that you are eligible to request the record. Most people get their certificate within an hour during normal business hours. Call 520-432-9400 if you need help choosing the best location or have questions about what to bring with you.

Five Vital Records Office Locations

Cochise County runs five vital records offices spread across the county. This makes it easy to find a location close to where you live or work. The main phone number for all locations is 520-432-9400. You can also email questions to vitalrecords@cochise.az.gov. All offices are open Monday through Friday from 8am to noon and from 1pm to 3:30pm. Drop boxes are available at each location if you want to leave a request after hours.

The Sierra Vista office is at 4115 East Foothills Drive. This location serves the largest population in Cochise County and is close to Fort Huachuca. The Bisbee office sits at 1415 Melody Lane in the county seat. The Douglas office serves the border area at 1012 North G Avenue. Benson and Willcox also have vital records staff during regular hours. All five locations offer the same services. You can walk into any office to request a birth certificate. Same day service is standard at each site if you have the right documents and payment.

Learn more at the county vital records page: www.cochise.az.gov/383/Vital-Records. This site lists all five addresses with maps and contact details. You can find forms to download and print before your visit. The main Cochise County website at www.cochise.az.gov has info on other county services as well.

The county website includes a list of acceptable forms of ID and relationship documents you need to bring when requesting a birth certificate in Cochise County.

How to Apply for Birth Records

Walk in service is the most common way to get birth certificates in Cochise County. Visit any of the five locations during business hours. Bring your driver license or state ID card. You also need proof of your relationship to the person on the birth certificate if you are requesting someone else's record. Parents should bring their ID. Siblings might need their own birth certificate to show the family connection. Fill out an application form at the office. Staff will review your documents while you wait.

If your documents are in order, staff will print a certified birth certificate for you. The whole process takes less than an hour in most cases. You pay at the time you pick up the certificate. Cochise County accepts cash for in person requests. You can also use a credit or debit card. Money orders work too. The county does not accept personal checks. Plan to pay when you visit so you can take the birth certificate home the same day.

Mail requests are also an option. Download form VS-11 from the Arizona Department of Health Services website or the Cochise County site. Complete the form and sign it. Include a copy of your photo ID. Do not send your original ID card. Add payment in the form of a money order or credit card information if the county allows it by mail. Send everything to one of the five office addresses. Processing by mail usually takes one to two weeks. Staff will mail the certified birth certificate to the address you list on your form.

After Hours Drop Boxes

Each of the five Cochise County vital records offices has a drop box. You can use these boxes to submit requests when the office is closed. Drop boxes are checked every business day. This service helps people who work during office hours or cannot visit in person. Fill out your application form at home. Include copies of your ID and relationship documents. Add payment as a money order. Put everything in an envelope and drop it in the box.

Staff will process drop box requests in the order they are received. You will not get same day service this way, but it is faster than mailing your request. Most drop box submissions are ready within two to three business days. The county will call you when your birth certificate is ready for pickup. You can then visit the office during regular hours to collect it. Make sure you write a phone number on your application so staff can reach you.

Note: Do not put cash in the drop box as it is not secure and the county cannot guarantee its safety.

Birth Certificate Costs

Certified birth certificates cost $20 each in Cochise County. This is the state standard fee. If you order more than one copy at the same time, each one costs $20. Amendments or corrections to a birth certificate cost $30. Acknowledgment of paternity also costs $30 to file. Non-certified copies for genealogy research are $20, the same as certified copies, but they cannot be used for legal purposes.

You can pay by cash if you visit in person. Credit and debit cards are accepted. A small fee may apply for card payments. Money orders work for in person and mail requests. Cochise County does not take personal checks. Do not mail cash. If you use a credit card by mail, call the office first to ask how to submit payment securely. Always get a receipt when you pay so you have proof of your transaction.

Service for Military Families

Cochise County is home to Fort Huachuca, a major U.S. Army base. Many military families live in Sierra Vista and the surrounding area. The county vital records office in Sierra Vista serves a large number of service members and their families. Staff are familiar with the needs of military families who may need birth certificates for dependents or for travel orders. Same day service makes it easy to get documents quickly when orders change or travel plans come up on short notice.

If you are stationed at Fort Huachhua or live on base, the Sierra Vista office at 4115 East Foothills Drive is the closest location. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8am to noon and 1pm to 3:30pm. Bring your military ID along with any other documents you need to prove eligibility. The office can issue birth certificates for any Arizona birth, so even if your child was born in another Arizona county, you can get the certificate here in Cochise County.

Vital Records Near the Border

Cochise County shares a long border with Mexico. The Douglas office at 1012 North G Avenue serves the border community. Many residents cross between Douglas and Agua Prieta for work or family. Birth certificates are often needed for international travel, school enrollment, and immigration paperwork. The Douglas vital records office provides the same services as the other county locations. Same day service is available. Staff can help you get Arizona birth certificates no matter where in the state the birth occurred.

If you need a birth certificate for travel or legal use in Mexico or another country, make sure you request a certified copy. Non-certified copies are not valid for international use. The certified copy has a raised seal and the registrar's signature. These security features are recognized by foreign governments and border authorities. Bring your passport or other travel documents when you apply so staff can verify your identity and need for the record.

Who Can Get Birth Certificates

Arizona restricts access to birth records to protect privacy. You must be an eligible requester under state law. The person named on the birth certificate can get their own record if they are 18 or older or an emancipated minor. Parents listed on the certificate can request copies anytime. A spouse can get a copy if they show a marriage certificate. Grandparents, adult siblings, and adult children may request copies if they prove their family relationship.

Legal guardians and conservators need a court order. Attorneys can request records if they represent an eligible party and provide proof. Government agencies can get copies for official business. Some teens age 16 or 17 can request their own birth certificate if they are in DCS custody or homeless. All requesters must show valid photo ID. You also need to prove your relationship to the person on the birth certificate. The office will not release records to people who do not meet these rules.

Any Arizona Birth Certificate Available

Cochise County connects to the Arizona statewide birth records database. This central system holds records for all Arizona births from July 1909 to now. County staff can look up and print a birth certificate for any state birth. You do not need to travel to the county where you were born. If you were born in Flagstaff but live in Sierra Vista, you can get your birth certificate at the local Cochise County office. This system saves time and makes vital records more accessible across Arizona.

All certified birth certificates issued in Arizona have the same format and security features. Each certificate includes a raised seal and the signature of the state or county registrar. These features make the document official for legal use anywhere. Schools, employers, and government agencies will accept a birth certificate from Cochise County just as they would one from any other Arizona county or the state office.

Order Online Through VitalChek

Arizona offers online ordering through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com. This is the state's official online vendor. You can place an order any time of day or night. VitalChek charges service fees on top of the $20 state fee. Shipping costs extra if you want fast delivery. You must upload a photo ID as part of the order process. The system checks your identity and your eligibility to get the record.

If approved, your order is sent to a county or state office for processing. The birth certificate is mailed to the address you provide. Standard shipping takes about one week. Expedited options cost more but deliver faster. Online ordering is convenient if you cannot visit a Cochise County office in person or if you live out of state and need an Arizona birth certificate mailed to you.

Other Arizona Counties

Cochise County borders several other Arizona counties. Pima County is to the west. Santa Cruz County is to the south and west. Graham County and Greenlee County are to the north. If you live near a 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. Check the hours and locations for nearby county offices before you travel.

Visit our pages for Pima County, Santa Cruz County, Graham County, and Greenlee County to learn about their vital records services. You can also see a complete list of all 15 Arizona counties on our counties page.