Greenlee County Birth Certificates

Greenlee County Health Department operates vital records offices in Clifton and Duncan. You can get birth certificates for any Arizona birth at either location. The county works a four day week, with offices open Monday through Thursday from 7am to 5pm. All offices are closed on Fridays. This schedule is unique among Arizona counties. Payment options are limited. The county accepts cash in person and money orders only. No credit cards. No checks. Call ahead at the Clifton office (928-865-2601) or the Duncan office (928-359-2866) to confirm hours and what documents you need to bring with you when requesting a birth certificate.

Two Greenlee County Office Locations

Greenlee County runs vital records offices in Clifton and Duncan. The Clifton office is at 253 Fifth Street in Clifton, Arizona 85533. Mail goes to P.O. Box 936, Clifton, AZ 85533. The Clifton phone number is 928-865-2601. The Duncan office sits at 1684 Fairgrounds Road in Duncan, Arizona 85534. The Duncan phone number is 928-359-2866. Both locations are open Monday through Thursday from 7am to 5pm. All county offices close on Fridays as part of a four day work week.

The four day schedule means you must plan your visit carefully. If you need a birth certificate and can only go on Friday, you will have to wait until Monday or visit a different county. Call ahead before you drive to either office. Confirm the office will be open and that staff will be available to help with vital records. Both offices can issue birth certificates for any Arizona birth, not just births in Greenlee County. You can visit whichever location is more convenient for you.

Learn more at the county vital records page: greenlee.az.gov/arizona-vital-records. The main health department page is at greenlee.az.gov/ova_dep/health-and-county-services. Both pages have contact information and basic instructions for requesting birth certificates in Greenlee County.

The county vital records page lists the documents you need to bring and explains the limited payment options available in Greenlee County.

Four Day Work Week Schedule

Greenlee County offices work Monday through Thursday only. All county offices close on Fridays. This four day work week helps the county manage staffing in Arizona's smallest county by population. The longer daily hours (7am to 5pm) give residents a ten hour window to visit each open day. If you work a standard Monday through Friday schedule, you might need to take time off to visit the vital records office. Plan ahead so you can get to Clifton or Duncan on a day when the office is open.

The four day schedule also affects mail requests. If the county receives your mailed application on Thursday afternoon, staff may not process it until the following Monday. This can add a few days to your wait time compared to counties that work five day weeks. Factor in this delay when you send a mail request. If you need a birth certificate by a certain date, apply at least two to three weeks in advance to allow time for mailing, processing, and return delivery.

Cash and Money Orders Only

Greenlee County does not accept credit cards or personal checks for vital records. You can only pay with cash in person or money orders. This makes the county different from most Arizona counties, which accept multiple payment methods. If you visit the Clifton or Duncan office, bring exact cash if possible. Staff may not have change for large bills. Count out $20 for each birth certificate you want. If you need two copies, bring $40.

For mail requests, you must use a money order. Buy a money order at a post office, bank, or convenience store before you mail your application. Make the money order payable to Greenlee County. Include it with your completed form VS-11 and a copy of your photo ID. Do not send cash by mail. The county cannot secure cash sent through the mail and will not replace it if lost. Do not send a personal check. The county will not process requests paid by check and will return your application.

Note: Call ahead to confirm current payment rules as county policies can change.

How to Request Birth Records

You can get birth certificates in person or by mail in Greenlee County. For in person requests, visit the Clifton or Duncan office Monday through Thursday from 7am to 5pm. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver license or state ID card. If you are requesting someone else's birth certificate, bring documents that prove your relationship to that person. Fill out form VS-11 at the office or download it ahead of time from the Arizona Department of Health Services website. Staff will review your documents and application. If everything is in order, they will process your request and provide a certified birth certificate.

Mail requests work for people who cannot visit in person. Download form VS-11 and fill it out completely. Sign the form. Include a copy of your photo ID. Do not send your original ID card. Add a money order for $20 per copy. Make the money order payable to Greenlee County. Mail everything to P.O. Box 936, Clifton, AZ 85533. Processing by mail usually takes one to two weeks depending on when the county receives your request and how busy the office is. Remember that the office is closed on Fridays, which can add time to the processing schedule.

Birth Certificate Costs

A certified birth certificate costs $20 in Greenlee County. This is the standard Arizona state fee. Each additional copy also costs $20. Amendments or corrections to a birth certificate cost $30. You must provide supporting documents for any change, such as a court order or hospital paperwork. Non-certified copies for genealogy research cost $20 but are not valid for legal purposes like getting a passport or enrolling in school.

Arizona's Smallest County

Greenlee County is the smallest county in Arizona by population. Only about 9,000 people live in the county. Most residents are in Clifton, Duncan, and the surrounding areas. The small population means the county runs a lean government operation. The four day work week and limited payment options reflect the challenges of providing services in a small rural county. Despite these limits, Greenlee County still connects to the statewide Arizona vital records database and can issue birth certificates for any state birth.

If you live in Greenlee County and need a birth certificate, the local office is your best option even with the limited hours. Driving to a neighboring county might take longer than visiting Clifton or Duncan. The longer daily hours (7am to 5pm) give you flexibility to visit before or after work or during a lunch break. Call ahead to make sure staff will be available when you plan to visit.

Who Can Get Birth Certificates

Arizona law restricts who can request birth certificates to protect privacy. You must be an eligible requester under state statute. 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 at any time. A spouse can get a copy if they show a marriage certificate. Grandparents, adult children, and adult siblings may request copies if they prove their family relationship to the registrant.

Legal guardians and conservators need a court order showing their authority. Attorneys can request records if they represent an eligible party and provide proof. Government agencies can get copies for official purposes. Some youth age 16 and 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 documents that prove your relationship to the person on the birth certificate unless you are requesting your own record.

Access to All Arizona Birth Records

Greenlee County connects to the statewide Arizona vital records database. This central system holds all birth records for the state from July 1909 to now. County staff can look up and print a birth certificate for any Arizona birth. You do not have to visit the county where you or your child was born. If you were born in Phoenix but live in Duncan, the Greenlee County office can issue your birth certificate. This statewide access makes vital records services more convenient for everyone in Arizona.

All Arizona birth certificates have the same format and security features no matter which county issues them. Each certificate includes a raised seal and the registrar's signature. These features make the document official for use anywhere in the United States or other countries. Schools, employers, passport offices, and government agencies accept birth certificates from any Arizona county as valid proof of birth and identity.

The county health department website provides contact information and basic guidance for accessing vital records and other health services in Greenlee County.

VitalChek Online Ordering

Arizona offers online ordering for birth certificates through VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com. VitalChek is the state's official online vendor. The service is available 24 hours a day every day. You pay by credit or debit card. This is useful if you live in Greenlee County and cannot pay by card at the local office. VitalChek adds service fees and shipping charges on top of the $20 state fee. Expedited shipping costs more if you need the certificate delivered quickly.

Online orders require you to upload a photo ID. The system checks your identity and verifies you are eligible to get the record. If approved, your order is sent to a county or state office for processing. The birth certificate is mailed to your address. Standard delivery takes about one week. Faster options are available for an additional fee. Online ordering is a good alternative if the limited hours and payment options in Greenlee County do not work for you.

Other Arizona Counties

Greenlee County borders Graham County to the west and Apache County 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 payment options for each office before you travel. Graham County accepts credit cards and has a fast two day mail processing time. Apache County accepts credit cards and offers same day service. Both counties might be more convenient if Greenlee County's limited options do not fit your needs.

Visit our pages for Graham County and Apache County to learn about their vital records services. You can view all 15 Arizona counties on our counties page.