Santa Cruz County Birth Records

Santa Cruz County Health Services provides birth certificate services at the office in Nogales at 2150 North Congress Drive, Suite 115. This service is new as of July 1, 2025. The county now issues birth certificates for births in Santa Cruz County. Previously the office only handled death certificates. Santa Cruz is Arizona's smallest county by land area. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. You must be eligible under state law to get a copy. Call 520-375-7900 for questions about this new service or to ask what documents you need to bring when requesting a birth certificate.

NEW Birth Certificate Service

Santa Cruz County started issuing birth certificates on July 1, 2025. This is a new service for the county. Previously the office only issued death certificates. Now the county can provide birth certificates for births that occurred in Santa Cruz County. This change makes it easier for residents to get birth records without having to contact the state office in Phoenix or visit a neighboring county.

Because this is a new service, procedures may still be developing. Call 520-375-7900 before you visit to confirm current hours, payment options, and processing times. Staff can tell you what documents to bring and how long it will take to get your birth certificate. As the service is very new, the office may make changes to improve the process based on demand and feedback from residents.

Note: This service began July 1, 2025, so it is brand new and policies may evolve as the county gains experience with birth certificate issuance.

Santa Cruz County Health Services

The Santa Cruz County Health Services vital records office is at 2150 North Congress Drive, Suite 115, in Nogales, Arizona 85621. The office phone number is 520-375-7900. You can fax documents to 520-761-7843. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. This is the only vital records location in Santa Cruz County. All residents must use this office or mail their requests to this address.

Learn more at the county vital records page: www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/428/Vital-Records. The main health services page is at www.santacruzcountyaz.gov/148/Health-Services. Both pages have contact information for the Nogales office.

The county vital records page explains the new birth certificate service that started in July 2025 for Santa Cruz County residents.

How to Request Birth Certificates

You can request birth certificates in person or by mail in Santa Cruz County. For in person requests, visit 2150 North Congress Drive, Suite 115, in Nogales during business hours Monday through Friday from 8am 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 the application form at the office or download it ahead of time if it is available on the county website.

Staff will review your application and documents. If everything is in order, they will process your request. Processing times are not yet well established since this is a new service. Ask staff when to expect your birth certificate to be ready. You may be able to get it the same day or you may need to come back later or have it mailed to you. Payment is due when you submit your request or when you pick up the certificate.

Mail requests work for people who cannot visit Nogales in person. Download the application form if available on the county website or call 520-375-7900 to ask how to get a form. Fill out the form completely and sign it. Include a copy of your photo ID. Do not send your original ID card. Add payment. Mail your request to 2150 N. Congress Drive, Suite 115, Nogales, AZ 85621. Processing by mail may take one to two weeks, though times may vary as the county develops this new service.

Fees and Payment

Birth certificates cost $20 in Santa Cruz County. This matches the standard Arizona state fee. Payment methods have not been fully announced since this is a new service. Call 520-375-7900 to ask what forms of payment are accepted. Most Arizona counties accept cash in person and money orders. Some take credit cards. Santa Cruz County will likely accept similar payment methods, but verify before you visit or mail a request.

For mail requests, do not send cash. Use a check or money order if those are accepted. Make payment payable to Santa Cruz County for the correct amount. Include a phone number on your application so staff can contact you if they have questions about payment or any other part of your request.

Major Border County

Santa Cruz County shares a border with Mexico at Nogales. The Arizona city of Nogales sits directly across from Nogales, Sonora. Many residents cross the border regularly for work, family, or shopping. Birth certificates are often needed for international travel, visa applications, and other cross border purposes. The new birth certificate service at the Santa Cruz County office makes it easier for local residents to get these documents without traveling to Phoenix or another county.

If you need a birth certificate for travel to 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 law limits who can request 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.

Access to Arizona Birth Records

Santa Cruz County connects to the statewide Arizona vital records database. It is not yet clear if the county can issue birth certificates for any Arizona birth or only for births in Santa Cruz County. Call 520-375-7900 to ask if the office can help with your specific request. If you need a birth certificate for a birth outside Santa Cruz County, the office may refer you to the state office in Phoenix or suggest using VitalChek online.

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 in the United States or abroad. Schools, employers, passport offices, and government agencies accept birth certificates from any Arizona county as valid proof of birth and identity.

The county health services page provides general information about health programs and links to vital records services in Santa Cruz County.

Arizona's Smallest County by Area

Santa Cruz County is the smallest county in Arizona by land area. The county covers about 1,200 square miles. Most of the population lives in and around Nogales. The small size means most residents are within a reasonable drive of the vital records office in Nogales. If you live in Patagonia or other parts of the county away from Nogales, the drive may take 30 to 60 minutes depending on where you are coming from.

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.

It is not yet clear if VitalChek can process Santa Cruz County birth certificate requests or if orders will go to the state office. Online ordering may be a good option if you cannot visit the Nogales office in person. Check the VitalChek website or call the county at 520-375-7900 to ask about online ordering for Santa Cruz County births.

Other Arizona Counties

Santa Cruz County borders Pima County to the north and east and Cochise County to the southeast. If you live near a county line, you might find it easier to visit a vital records office in a neighboring county. Pima County has two offices in Tucson. Cochise County has five offices across the county. All Arizona counties can issue birth certificates for any state birth, though it is not yet clear if Santa Cruz County has this capability. Check with each county before you travel.

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