Pima County Birth Certificates
Pima County Health Department operates two vital records offices in Tucson where you can get birth certificates. The main office is at 3950 South Country Club Road and a second location sits at 1010 West Miracle Mile. Both offices offer limited same day service for walk in requests. Arizona births from 1950 to present are available through Pima County. REAL ID demand has caused delays in mail processing, with requests taking four to six weeks instead of the usual two to three weeks. You must be eligible under state law to request a copy. Call 520-724-7932 for information about services or to check on your request.
Pima County Quick Facts
Two Pima County Vital Records Offices
Pima County Health Department runs vital records offices at two locations in Tucson. The primary office is at 3950 South Country Club Road, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85714. This location is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8am to 3:30pm with a one hour lunch closure from 1pm to 2pm. The northwest location is at 1010 West Miracle Mile, Tucson. It is open Tuesday and Thursday from 8:15am to 4:15pm. Both offices offer the same services but have different hours.
You can call 520-724-7932 to reach staff at either office. Email inquiries go to VitalRecords@pima.gov. You can also fax documents to 888-985-2512. Drop boxes are available at both locations for after hours submissions. Both offices can issue birth certificates for Arizona births from 1950 to the present. For births before 1950, you may need to contact the state office in Phoenix.
Learn more at the county vital records page: www.pima.gov/2398/Vital-Records. The order page is at www.pima.gov/3535/Order-a-Birth-or-Death-Certificate. Both pages have forms and contact details for requesting birth certificates in Pima County.
The county order page provides step by step instructions for requesting birth certificates in person or by mail through Pima County vital records offices.
REAL ID Causing Mail Processing Delays
Pima County is experiencing longer than usual processing times for mail requests. REAL ID demand has increased the volume of birth certificate requests significantly. People need birth certificates to get REAL ID compliant driver licenses. This surge in requests has caused mail processing to take four to six weeks instead of the normal two to three weeks. If you need a birth certificate quickly, visiting in person for limited same day service is your best option.
The county is working to reduce processing times, but the backlog may continue for some time. Plan ahead if you need a birth certificate by a certain date. Apply at least two months in advance if you are mailing your request. Call 520-724-7932 to check on the status of your application if you have not heard back after six weeks. Staff can tell you when to expect your birth certificate to be ready.
Note: In person visits may also have longer wait times due to increased demand, but same day service is still available for most walk in requests.
Limited Same Day Service
Pima County offers limited same day service for walk in requests. This means same day service is available for most people, but not guaranteed during busy times. Visit either office during their hours. Bring your photo ID. If you are requesting someone else's birth certificate, bring documents that prove your relationship to that person. Fill out the application form at the office or download it ahead of time from the county website.
Staff will review your application and documents. If everything is in order and the office is not too busy, they will process your request the same day. You can wait at the office or leave and come back later to pick up your birth certificate. Most people get their certificate within a few hours. If the office is very busy, staff may ask you to come back the next day or may process it by mail instead. The limited same day service is still faster than mailing your request given the current four to six week mail processing delays.
How to Request Birth Certificates
You can request birth certificates in person or by mail in Pima County. For in person requests, visit either the South office at 3950 South Country Club Road or the Northwest office at 1010 West Miracle Mile. Check the hours for each location as they differ. Bring a valid photo ID such as 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. Fill out the application form and give it to staff along with your documents.
If your documents are in order, staff will accept your request. They will tell you whether same day service is available or if your request will be processed by mail. If same day service is available, you can wait at the office or return later to pick up your birth certificate. If not, the county will mail it to you in four to six weeks due to current processing delays. You pay when you pick up the certificate or when you submit your mail request.
Mail requests take longer. Download the application form from the county website. Fill it out completely and sign it. Include a copy of your photo ID. Do not send your original ID card. Add payment. Pima County does not accept cash by mail or in person. You must use a check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard. Mail your request to 3950 S. Country Club Road, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85714. Processing takes four to six weeks due to REAL ID demand, plus mailing time on both ends.
No Cash Accepted
Pima County does not accept cash for vital records. This applies to in person visits and mail requests. You must pay by check, money order, Visa, or Mastercard. This policy is unusual among Arizona counties. Most counties accept cash for in person transactions. If you plan to visit a Pima County office, bring a check, money order, or credit card. Do not bring cash as staff cannot accept it.
For mail requests, include a check or money order. You can also provide credit card information if the county accepts cards by mail. Make checks and money orders payable to Pima County Health Department for the correct amount. Each birth certificate costs $20. Amendments cost $30. Do not send cash by mail as it will not be accepted and your request will be delayed.
Birth Certificate Costs
Certified birth certificates cost $20 each in Pima County. This matches the standard Arizona state fee. Each additional copy also costs $20. Amendments or corrections cost $30. Non-certified copies for genealogy research cost $20 but cannot be used for legal purposes. Pima County accepts checks, money orders, Visa, and Mastercard. They do not accept cash or other forms of payment.
Arizona Births from 1950 to Present
Pima County has records for Arizona births from 1950 to the present. If you need a birth certificate for someone born before 1950, you may need to contact the Arizona Department of Health Services state office in Phoenix. The state office holds all Arizona birth records from July 1909 forward. Call Pima County at 520-724-7932 to ask if they can help with your request or if you need to apply through the state office.
For births from 1950 forward, Pima County can issue the certificate through the statewide database. The county can issue a birth certificate for any Arizona birth in this time period. You do not need to visit the county where the birth occurred. If you were born in Phoenix in 1975 but live in Tucson now, the Pima County office can issue your birth certificate.
Who Can Request Birth Records
Arizona law limits who can get birth certificates. 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.
Spanish Language Forms
Pima County provides Spanish language examples of vital records forms. These forms are examples only and show you what information you need to provide. The actual forms you submit must be in English, but the Spanish examples help Spanish speakers understand what is required. Staff at both Pima County offices can assist Spanish speaking residents with the application process. Tucson has a large Spanish speaking population, and the county works to serve all residents.
After Hours Drop Boxes
Both Pima County vital records offices have drop boxes. You can use these boxes to submit applications when the office is closed. Fill out your application at home. Include copies of your ID and relationship documents. Add payment as a check, money order, or credit card information. Do not put cash in the drop box as it is not accepted. Put everything in an envelope and drop it in the box at either location.
Staff check the drop boxes regularly during business hours. Your request will be processed along with mail requests. Processing takes four to six weeks due to current REAL ID delays. The county will mail the birth certificate to the address you list on your application. Write a phone number on your form so staff can contact you if they have questions about your request.
Access to Arizona Birth Records
Pima County connects to the statewide Arizona vital records database for births from 1950 to present. County staff can look up and print a birth certificate for any Arizona birth in this time period. You do not have to visit the county where you were born. This statewide access makes vital records more convenient for everyone. All Arizona birth certificates have the same format and security features. Each certificate includes a raised seal and the registrar's signature. These features make the document official for use anywhere.
The county vital records overview page provides general information about birth and death certificate services available through Pima County Health Department.
Vital Records for Tucson and Surrounding Cities
Pima County includes Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, and other cities. All residents of these cities use the Pima County vital records system. Cities do not operate their own vital records offices. The two county locations serve all parts of the Tucson metro area. Tucson residents can visit either office depending on which is closer to their home or work. The South office serves much of central and southern Tucson. The Northwest office is convenient for residents of northwest Tucson, Oro Valley, and Marana.
VitalChek Online Service
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. You pay by credit or debit card. VitalChek charges service fees on top of the $20 state fee. Shipping costs extra. Expedited delivery is available for a higher price.
Online orders may be processed faster than mail requests through Pima County given the current four to six week delays. VitalChek sends orders to county or state offices for processing. Standard delivery takes about one week. This is much faster than Pima County's mail processing time, though VitalChek fees make it more expensive. Online ordering is a good option if you need a birth certificate quickly and cannot visit a Pima County office in person.
Other Arizona Counties
Pima County borders Santa Cruz County to the south, Cochise County to the east, Graham County and Greenlee County to the northeast, Pinal County to the north, and Maricopa County to the northwest. If you live near a county border, 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. Some counties offer faster service than Pima County's current four to six week mail processing time.
Visit our pages for Pinal County, Santa Cruz County, and Cochise County to learn about their vital records services. You can view all 15 Arizona counties on our counties page.