Vital records office in District of Columbia

How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from District of Columbia for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.

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Birth Event: Birth Cost of copy: $23.00 Address: Vital Records Division 2201 Shannon Pl SE, Washington, DC 20020 Remarks:  Office has birth records since 1874. Personal check or money order should be made payable to  DC Treasurer . A copy of a government issued picture identification must accompany each request. To verify current fees and obtain general information, the telephone number is (202) 442-9303. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the District of Columbia Department of Health websiteExternal . Death Event: Death Cost of copy: $18.00 Address: Vital Records Division 2201 Shannon Pl SE, Washington, DC 20020 Remarks:  Office has death records since 1855 but no death records were filed during the Civil War. Personal check or money order should be made payable to  DC Treasurer . A copy of a government issued picture identification must accompany each request. To verify current fees and obtain general information, the telephone number is (202) 442-9303. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the  District of Columbia Department of Health websiteExternal . Marriage Event: Marriage Cost of copy: $10.00 Address: DC Superior Court 500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Rm. 4485 Washington, DC 20001 Remarks: Marriage information (202) 879-4840 Divorce Event: Divorce (Court) Cost of copy: $6.50 Address: DC Superior Court 500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Rm. 4335 Washington, DC 20001 Remarks: Records since September 16, 1956. Divorce information (202) 879-1261

Event: Divorce (Court) Cost of copy: Varies Address: Clerk, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Washington, DC 20001 Remarks: Records before September 16, 1956.

Last Reviewed: November 6, 2015 Source: National Center for Health Statistics

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District of Columbia vital records office details

Why immigrants need certified vital records

USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:

  • I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
  • I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
  • N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
  • Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
  • School enrollment — proof of date of birth
  • Real ID applications — proof of identity

Apostille and authentication

If you need to use a District of Columbia vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the District of Columbia Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.

Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the District of Columbia office.