At VitalChek, we're closely monitoring the impact of COVID-19. We remain committed to continuing to operate at the highest standards of web security when processing orders. We've already taken a number of steps in support of our teams, communities and customers. We are working in close coordination with state and local agencies that issue the certificates; we'll continue to do so as we navigate these uncertain times together. The Q&A below provides for detail and will be updated regularly to reflect our efforts and recent events.
A: There is currently an unprecedented demand for birth certificates, as individuals need them in order to obtain a RealID driver's license. This alone created order backlogs at many agencies, which in turn lead to a substantial increase in phone calls. As the COVID-19 situation unfolded, it lead to further resource strains on vital records agencies. Now, with some agencies closing down some or all of their offices, the number of phone calls to VitalChek have increased even more. Unfortunately, this has resulted in longer wait times.
A: In many cases it will take longer, as agency staffs continue to struggle with the increased volume or orders and decreased staff availability. We monitor processing times and will continue in our efforts to notify consumers of the current processing times at a particular agency.
A: The best overall option is to order online. Online orders are reviewed and electronically transmitted to the agency for processing. Currently, the vast majority of agencies can process online requests, although this could change. The other options vary, depending on the agency from which you wish to get the record. In most cases you can obtain the record by going to the vital record agency, but many agencies are beginning to close their doors to the public for now. You can order via the mail and can normally obtain a copy of an agency's mail application form on its website. In some cases you can order by phone, but with the long hold times it is probably better to order online.
A: We will send you regular email updates as to the status of an online your order, including a receipt of any documents you submitted, or still need to provide, when VitalChek transmits the order to the agency for processing, and when the agency ships the order to you (along with a tracking number if you requested shipment via UPS). Otherwise, you can check the status on our website, using your order number and PIN number.
A: Your order should process within the timeframe provided when you placed your order. Because of the unique situation that currently exists, that timeframe can change quickly. We will do our best to post changes in the chart below. Please bookmark this page so that you can check to see if there have been any changes.
A: Agencies are adjusting policies and procedures based on the local situation. This can effect issuance turnaround processing times. Below we have provided a state by state update on key information:
| State | Agency Name | Current Processing Times | Agency Updates |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL | Alabama Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until 4/6/2020. Accepting online orders only. |
| CA | Los Angeles County RR/CC | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| CA | Contra Costa County Recorder | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until 4/7/2020. Accepting online orders only. |
| CA | Orange County Health Care Agency | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| CA | San Bernardino County Recorder | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| CA | San Francisco County Assessor-Recorder | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| CA | San Francisco County Clerk | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| CA | Santa Clara County Recorder | 7 - 10 business days | Office closed to the public until 4/7/2020. Accepting online orders only. |
| DC | D.C. Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| FL | Miami-Dade County Health Department | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| GA | Fulton County Bureau of Vital Statistics | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| GA | Georgia Department of Public Health | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until 4/13/2020. Orders are still being processed. |
| IA | Iowa Vital Records | 4 - 6 weeks | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| IL | Illinois Dept. of Public Health | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| IL | Cook County Clerk | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| IL | St. Claire County Clerk | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| IN | Indiana State Dept. of Health | 25 - 35 business days | Office closed until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| IN | Dubois County Health Department | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| KS | Kansas Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| KY | Kentucky Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| MA | Massachusetts Vital Records | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| MD | Maryland Vital Records | 15 - 20 business days | Office closed until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| MI | City of Detroit Vital Records | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| MI | Wayne County Clerk | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| MN | Hennepin County Vital Records | 2 - 3 weeks | Office closed until 4/6/20. Orders are still being processed. |
| MO | Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| MS | Mississippi Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| NV | Nevada Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| NY | New York State Vital Records | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| NY | New York City Department of Health | 10 - 15 business days | Office closed to the public until further notice. Accepting online orders only. |
| OH | Ohio Vital Records | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| OK | Oklahoma Vital Records | No impact to online or phone orders at this time. | Office is closed until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| PA | Pennsylvania Vital Records | 14 business days | Office closed until 4/6/20. Orders are still being processed. |
| PR | Puerto Rico Department of Health | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until 4/14/20. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| SC | South Carolina Vital Records | 3-5 business days. | Effective 3/27 office will be closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| SD | South Dakota Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| SD | Hughes County Register of Deeds | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| TN | Tennessee Vital Records | Delayed until further notice. | Office closed until further notice. Orders are NOT being processed. |
| TX | Texas Department of Health | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| TX | Austin Vital Statistics | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| TX | City of Dallas Bureau of Vital Statistics | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| TX | El Paso County Clerk | No impact at this time. | Office closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| TX | City of College Station | 7-10 business days. | Office closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| VA | Virginia Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Washington State Center for Health Statistics | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Chelan Douglas Health District | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Clark County Health Department | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Cowlitz County Health Department | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Grant County Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Kitsap Public Health District | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Pierce County Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Seattle and King County Public Health Department | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Snohomish Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Spokane Vital Records | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Whitman County Public Health | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WA | Yakima Health District | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WI | Milwaukee County Register of Deeds | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
| WV | West Virginia Vital Registration | No impact at this time. | Office is closed to the public until further notice. Orders are still being processed. |
