Vital records are the definitive foundation for proving physical presence and family relationships in a RECA claim. A birth certificate naturally places the parents in a specific county on a specific date, a marriage certificate establishes the beginning of a residency window, and a certified death certificate is an absolute requirement for any surviving family member filing on behalf of a deceased Downwinder or uranium worker.
State laws strictly limit who can request a certified vital record (especially for the first 50 years after a birth or death). To request a record for someone else, you must generally be an immediate family member, a legal guardian, or an official representative.
Required Documentation: When ordering from any of the state agencies below, you must provide a valid government-issued photo ID and documentation proving your relationship to the person on the certificate (e.g., your own birth certificate showing them as your parent).Utah Office of Vital Records and Statistics
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services manages all birth and death records for the state.
While online and mail orders sent to the main state office currently face an approximate 6-week processing delay, you can bypass this wait by utilizing a Local County Health Department (such as Salt Lake County, Weber-Morgan, or Davis County).
- Same-Day Walk-In Service: If you visit a local county vital records window in person with your application, valid photo ID, and fee, they can typically print your certified certificate on the spot.
- Faster Mail-In Service: If you cannot visit in person, you can mail your application, copies of your ID (front and back), proof of relationship, and fee directly to a local county health department. Local offices generally process mail orders in about 2 to 3 weeks.
Ordering Information & Costs
- Current Fees: Effective July 1, 2026, the first certified copy costs $35.00. Each additional copy ordered at the exact same time costs $10.00.
- How to Order: Available via online portal, mail, or in-person walk-in at regional county health departments.
- Important Note: The state no longer operates a public walk-in window at the main Department of Health and Human Services building in Salt Lake City. In-person services must go through local county health clinics.
Online Orders: If you choose not to go in person, you can place a standard digital order through the official state portal at vitalrecords.utah.gov.
Idaho Bureau of Vital Records and Health Statistics
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issues certified copies of birth, death, and stillbirth certificates for events occurring from July 1, 1911, to the present.
Ordering Information & Costs
- Standard Fees: The first certified copy of a birth or death certificate is $16.00. Additional copies are also $16.00 each.
- Expedited (Rush) Fees: If you require faster processing, an expedited rush order costs $26.00 for the first copy and $16.00 for additional copies.
Online Orders: Idaho utilizes VitalChek for digital orders. You can begin the process through the official state portal at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.
New Mexico Bureau of Vital Records
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) processes vital records. They offer tiered pricing depending on how quickly you need the records delivered.
Ordering Information & Costs
- Standard Processing (Regular Mail): Choosing 3-5 business day processing with regular U.S. Mail delivery costs $26.00 for a birth certificate and $21.00 for a death certificate.
- Expedited Processing (UPS Next Day Air): Ordering with 3-5 business day processing combined with UPS Next Day Air delivery costs $44.50 for a birth certificate and $39.50 for a death certificate.
Online Orders: Visit the official portal at nmhealth.org to initiate an online order or download mail-in applications.
Arizona Bureau of Vital Records
The Arizona Department of Health Services manages vital records for the state. Like Utah, you can often bypass state-level processing delays by visiting a local county office.
Many county offices in Arizona (such as Maricopa or Pima County) can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates.
- Same-Day Walk-In Service: If you visit a participating county vital records window in person, certificates can often be issued the same day.
Ordering Information & Costs
- Standard Fees: Certified copies of birth and death certificates are $20.00 each.
- How to Order: Available via online portal (VitalChek), mail, or in-person at regional county health departments.
Online Orders: Arizona uses VitalChek for expedited online orders. You can begin the process through the official state portal at azdhs.gov.
Nevada Office of Vital Records
The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health issues certified copies of birth and death certificates. Nevada has a tiered pricing structure for death certificates depending on the county.
Ordering Information & Costs
- Birth Certificate Fees: $25.00 per certified copy.
- Death Certificate Fees: $25.00 each if the death occurred in Carson, Clark, Douglas, Lyon, Mineral, or Washoe counties; $22.00 each for all other Nevada counties.
- How to Order: Available via online portal (VitalChek), mail, or in-person at the State Office in Carson City or local health districts (like Southern Nevada Health District or Northern Nevada Public Health).
Online Orders: Nevada utilizes VitalChek for digital orders. You can order online by visiting the official state portal at dpbh.nv.gov.