Mississippians seeking copies of birth certificates, death certificates and other vital records will be paying a little more for them in the coming year. A fee increase approved this year by the Mississippi State Board of Health will become effective on January 1, 2008. 

A birth, death or marriage certificate will cost $15.00, and additional copies ordered at the same time will cost $5.00. Corrections to vital records by affidavit or court order will cost $25.00. Fees for birth certificates include $1 to be deposited in the Children’s Trust Fund, supporting programs that prevent child abuse and neglect.

The fee increase is necessary to offset rising operating costs, according to Judy Moulder, State Registrar, Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) Bureau of Health Statistics. Fees collected through the issuance of vital records are the primary source of operating funds for the bureau. 

"This is the first vital records fee increase we’ve had in 14 years," said Moulder. "It was necessary for us in order to continue to provide the type of service our customers expect." 
  
Persons ordering their own birth certificate or a family member’s must provide a completed application and valid photo identification.  Acceptable forms of identification include a state-issued driver’s license, state-issued ID card, school ID, military ID, employment ID, US military ID, employment ID, Tribal ID, alien registration/permanent resident card, temporary resident card or U.S. passport.

In addition, guardians or legal representatives requesting birth certificates must submit proof of guardianship or legal representation with their application.
 
Vital records can now be ordered by phone, internet, fax or mail.  The walk-in customer service window is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 571 Stadium Drive in Jackson. Requests for vital records are processed in 7-10 business days.  

To print an application form or to see a complete listing of the vital record fees and services, visit www.HealthyMS.com or call the MSDH Bureau of Health Statistics at (601) 576-7981.

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Press Contact: Liz Sharlot , Elizabeth Grey or Carol Jarvis Jones, (601) 576-7667