Vital Records - Birth & Death Certificates

Obtaining Birth & Death Records

Certified copies of all birth and death records occuring in Klamath County are available at Klamath County Public Health for up to 6 months after the birth or death. After 6 months, certified copies can be obtained through the state vital records office,

Photo ID is required when ordering a record For any additional questions, please call us at 541-882-8846.

Birth Certificates

The following information will be needed to obtain a Birth Certificate:

Birth date
Father's full name (if it appears on the record)
Mother's maiden name
Name (First, Middle, Last)
Picture ID bearing the same name as that of child, appearing on the certificates

Order forms: English Spanish

Cost of Birth Certificates and Death Certificates

Single copy - $25
Extra copies - $25 (same record, ordered and paid for at same time)

Payments Accepted

Payments accepted include cash, checks (payable to: KCPH or Klamath County Public Health), Visa or MasterCard.

Death Certificates

Records are available for the first 6 months after death. After 6 months, certificates can be obtained from the Vital Records Office in Portland.

Order forms: English Spanish

Eligible Persons

Birth Certificate: Access to birth records is restricted for 100 years following the date of birth. During the first 100 years the following persons may order:

Parent
Parent or 2nd parent, if listed on the record
Step-parent, if married to a parent listed on the record and child is under age 18
Registered domestic partner
Maternal grandparent
Paternal grandparent (if son is listed on the record)
Sibling age 18 or older
Child of registrant, age 18 or older
Legal representative - with documentation of who they represent and reason for order
Government agencies - with documentation and reason for order
Legal guardian - with legal guardianship paperwork
Non-eligible person with a notarized permission note from an eligible person

For reference, see ORS 432.380 (2)(c)(B)(ii).

Death Certificate: Access to death records is restricted for 50 years after the date of the event. During the first 50 years the following persons may order:

Short Form (does not include cause of death):

Current spouse
Parent
Child (over 18 years of age)
Grandparent
Grandchild
Sibling
Domestic partner who is registered by the state
Legal guardian – with documentation of legal guardianship
Next of kin – with notarized document stating they are next of kin
Government agency – with documentation and reason for order
Legal representative of an immediate family member – with documentation of who they represent and reason for order
An agency or person who demonstrates a personal or property right reason for order
Non-eligible person with a notarized permission note from an eligible person
Funeral home representative – for the first two years after date of event

For reference, see ORS 432.380 (2)(c)(B)(iii).

Long Form (includes cause of death):

Current spouse
Parent
Child (over 18 years of age)
Domestic partner who is registered by the state
Legal guardian – with documentation of legal guardianship
Next of kin – with notarized document stating they are next of kin
Government agency – with documentation and reason for order
Legal representative of an immediate family member – with documentation of who they represent and reason for order
Non-eligible person with a notarized permission note from an eligible person
Companies paying death benefits
Funeral home representative – for the first two years after date of event

For reference, see ORS 432.380 (2)(c)(B)(iii).

After 6 months

Birth certificates for babies older than six (6) months of age and for adults born in the state of Oregon, certificates can be ordered.

In person through the State Vital Records Office. Nonrefundable $28 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Receive the record within 1 hour unless a record problem is discovered. Location: 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205, Portland, OR 97232-2187. Office hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Orders must be submitted by 3:30 p.m. to receive the same day. Ordering in person is limited to immediate family members of the person named on the record. Orders are placed at self-service kiosks. The identity of the applicant will be screened using Social Security number and date of birth. Persons ordering must show valid ID or provide alternative documents. In some cases, proof of relationship may be required if the person ordering does not share the last name of the person on the record and is not clearly a family member. Payment by credit or debit card, cash, money order, or electronic funds transfer (EFT) of a personal check is accepted.
By mail through the State Vital Records Office. Nonrefundable $25 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Payment by money order or check. Order forms are available online from the Oregon Health Authority website and also from Klamath County Public Health (541-882-8846) over the counter, by e-mail, or regular mail. The form is also available below. Allow 3 to 5 weeks for processing and delivery. Rush mail is available if you send a state order form by any overnight delivery service, pay with a money order, and may include prepaid, pre-addressed return envelope. Shipped within 3-5 work days unless a record problem is discovered.
Online through www.vitalchek.com. Nonrefundable $43.25 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Payment by credit or debit card only. Shipped within 3 work days unless a record problem is discovered. UPS Next Day Air or Express Mail available for additional fee.
By telephone through VitalChek 1-888-896-4988. Nonrefundable $44.95 fee for 1 record search and $25 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Payment by credit or debit card only. Shipped within 3 business days unless a record problem is discovered. UPS Next Day Air or Express Mail available for additional fee.