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Vital Records
Public Health
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What would you like to do?

What would you like to do?

What you need to know

What you need to know

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​​​​​​​​​We have moved to the Nebraska State Office Building!

301 Centennial Mall South, First Floor, Lincoln, NE. 

The Office of Vital Records preserves birth, death, marriage and divorce records which occur in Nebraska. The records maintained by this office are issued as legal certified copies and are printed on multi-colored security paper with a digitally enhanced state seal. Certified certificates are used for providing proof of self and in obtaining records such as a driver's license, Social Security cards, passports, registering for school, sporting activities, transfer of property and for collecting retirement benefits or life insurance. 
Sections on this page

    Tip

    All requests are required to meet the proper purpose. If you need an out-of-state record, you must contact Vital Records for that state. We will retain the fee for the search if no record is found or the right person has not asked for the record. We will notify you in writing if no record is found or the proper purpose has not been met.

    WHEN YOU ARE REQUESTING A CERTIFICATE FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

    If your name is not on the certificate you are requesting, you must show proof of your relationship, for example:

    *When requesting your parents birth records, provide your birth certificate, your parents names will show on your birth certificate as your proof.

    *When requesting your spouse's birth record provide a copy of your marriage record.

    For any other request contact our office at 402-471-2871

    * For genealogical use, per regulation 3-004.06 - Only birth and death records are available for request.  To qualify for a birth record you must show proof of death and the death must have occurred 50 years prior to your request.

    Read MoreShow Less


    Birth Certificates and Voter ID

    Voter ID

    New legislation allows applicants to request a no fee certified copy of a birth record if the applicant does not have a current Nebraska driver's license or state identification card for the purpose of voting. The applicant must indicate on the application that the purpose for the request is to obtain a state identification card for voting purposes. Applications for a no fee birth certificate for voting purposes are accepted in person or by mail. Applicants must provide proof of identity to DHHS. A list of acceptable proof of identity is provided below. For further assistance in obtaining a birth certificate for voting purposes, you may visit the DHHS Vital Records Office or contact DHHS by telephone.​




    Birth Certificates

    You may obtain a birth certificate by meeting proper purpose. 

    Apply Online

    (Applications may be charged to a Visa or MasterCard)

    By Mail​

    To get a birth certificate by mail, send a $17.00 check or money order made out to "Vital Records" (no credit cards). Include the following information:

    • Child's full name on record. If adopted, list adoptive name and state "adopted"
    • Month/day/year of birth
    • City or town of birth/County of birth
    • Father's/Parent's full name at birth. If adopted, list adoptive father's name.
    • Mother's/Parent's full name at birth. If adopted, list adoptive mother's maiden name.
    • Why do you need the record?
    • If not your record, how are you related?
    • A photocopy of the current government-issued photo ID of the person making the application, i.e. current driver's license
    • Quicker Service Options

    Application Types

    The certificate is retroactive and covers infants from 0-20 weeks of gestation, in a pregnancy verified by a health care practitioner. There are two routes available to obtain the certificate: 1) a letter with the signature of the healthcare practitioner or their designee or 2) an application and a worksheet. A health care practitioner/health care facility will advise a patient who experiences a nonviable birth that the patient may request a commemorative certificate and, upon request of the patient, shall provide a letter verifying the nonviable birth to the patient. 

    If using a letter the following information is required: 

    • Signature of the health care practitioner or their designee
    • Full name of baby (if named)
    • Month, day and year of loss
    • City, town and county of loss
    • Mother's full current legal name (first, middle last, suffix)
    • Father's full current legal name (first, middle last, suffix) (if known)  

    Mail a check or Money Order for $19.00 (no credit cards) and a photocopy of the current government-issued ID of the patient to:

    Nebraska Vital Records
    P.O. Box 95065,
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    68509-5065

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    Death Certificates

    Abstract of Death

    If this death is a pending investigation, an Abstract of Death will be issued.  This transaction will NOT BE REFUNDED OR EXCHANGED.

    Apply Online

    (Applications may be charged to a Visa or MasterCard)

    WHEN YOU ARE REQUESTING A DEATH CERTIFICATE, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

    If your name is not on the certificate you are requesting, you must show proof of your relationship, for example:

    *When requesting your parents death record, provide your birth certificate, your parents names will show on your birth certificate as your proof.

    *When requesting your spouse's death record provide a copy of your marriage record.

    For any other request contact our office at 402-471-2871

    *For genealogical use, per regulation 3-004.06 - Only birth and death records are available for request.  To qualify for a birth record you must show proof of death and the death must have occurred 50 years prior to your request.

    Read MoreShow Less

    You may only get a death certificate for your spouse, your parent, or your child. 

    To get a death certificate by mail, send a $16.00 check or money order made out to Vital Records (no credit cards) and be sure to include a photocopy of the government-issued photo ID of the person requesting the application, i.e. current drivers license and include the following information:

    • Full name of deceased, if female, list married name or any other name(s) used.
    • City or town of death, if exact date of death not known, indicate a span of years.
    • How you are related to the decedent.
    • Purpose record will be used.

    Include this information for the deceased if a search is required:

    Year of birth, Birthplace, Spouse's full name, Home address, Father's full name, Mother's full name, Funeral Director and City

    Death Certificate Application Form - (Complete, print and mail to DHHS.)

    Death Certificate Amendment Form - (Complete, print and mail to DHHS.)

    Nebraska Vital Records
    P.O. Box 95065,
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    68509-5065

     

    Stillbirth / Fetal Death Certificates

    Only the parent(s) of a stillborn (fetal death) may obtain a certified Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth.

    Order Online

    (Orders may be charged to a Visa or MasterCard)

    By Mail

    To get a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth by mail, send a $17.00 check or money order made out to Vital Records (no credit cards) along with the following information:

    • Child's name on record,
    • Month/day/year of stillbirth,
    • City or Town of stillbirth/County of stillbirth,
    • Father's full name,
    • Mother's full maiden name,
    • Why record is needed?
    • How are you related?
    • A photocopy of the current government-issued photo id of the person making the application, i.e. valid driver's license.

    Stillbirth / Fetal Death Application Form - (Complete, print and mail to DHHS.)

    Nebraska Vital Records
    P.O. Box 95065,
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    68509-5065


     

    Nonviable Birth Commemorative Certificate

    On April 18, 2018, Governor Ricketts signed LB 1040 into law in Nebraska.

    A health care practitioner/health care facility will advise a patient who experiences a nonviable birth that the patient may request a commemorative certificate and, upon request of the patient, shall provide a letter verifying the nonviable birth to the patient.

    Learn More

     

    Marriage Certificates

    WHEN YOU ARE REQUESTING A CERTIFICATE FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

    If your name is not on the certificate you are requesting, you must show proof of your relationship, for example:

    *When requesting your parents marriage records, provide YOUR birth certificate, your parents names will show on your birth certificate as your proof.

    For any other request contact our office at 402-471-2871

    *For genealogical use, per regulation 3-004.06 - Only birth and death records are available for request.  To qualify for a birth record you must show proof of death and the death must have occurred 50 years prior to your request.

    Read MoreShow Less

    You may get a marriage certificate for yourself or your parents.  

    Apply Online

    (Applications may be charged to a Visa or MasterCard)

    By Mail

    To get a marriage certificate by mail, send an $16.00 check or money order made out to Vital Records (no credit cards) and send the following information:

    • Full name at birth of Groom/Party A.
    • Full name at birth of Bride/Party B.
    • Month/Day/Year of marriage.
    • County where license was issued.
    • Why record is needed?
    • If not your record, how are you related?
    • A photocopy of the current government-issued photo id of the person making the application, i.e. current driver's license

    Marriage Certificate Application Form - (Complete, print and mail to DHHS.)

    Marriage Amendment Form

    Nebraska Vital Records
    P.O. Box 95065,
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    68509-5065

     

    Divorce Certificates

    WHEN YOU ARE REQUESTING A CERTIFICATE FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING:

    If your name is not on the certificate you are requesting, you must show proof of your relationship, for example:

    *When requesting your parents Divorce records, provide YOUR birth certificate, your parents names will show on your birth certificate as your proof.

    For any other request contact our office at 402-471-2871

    *For genealogical use, per regulation 3-004.06 - Only birth and death records are available for request.  To qualify for a birth record you must show proof of death and the death must have occurred 50 years prior to your request.

    Read MoreShow Less

    You may get a divorce certificate for yourself or your parents. 

    Apply Online

    (Applications may be charged to a Visa or MasterCard)

    By Mail​

    To get a divorce certificate by mail, send a $16.00 check or money order made out to Vital Records (no credit cards) include the following information:

    • Name of husband.
    • Name of wife.
    • City or county where divorce was granted.
    • Month/day/year granted.
    • Why record is needed?
    • If not your record, how are you related?
    • A photocopy of the current government-issued photo id of the person making the application, i.e. current driver's license

    Divorce Certificate Application Form - (Complete, print and mail to DHHS.)

    Nebraska Vital Records
    P.O. Box 95065,
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    68509-5065

     

    For Your Attention

    We DO NOT accept faxed or emailed applications for certificates.

    We CANNOT provide faxed or emailed copies of certificates.

    The correct fee must be included with the mail-in applications.

    We do not accept applications by mail that are to be paid by credit card.

    For all applications, if the certificate is not found the search fee is NON-Refundable.



    Nebraska Vital Records
    Sarah Bohnenkamp, State Registrar and Administrator
     
    Phone Number
    (402) 471-2871​
    Mailing Address
    P.O. Box 95065, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5065