Free Wisconsin Birth Certificate Application, DPH 5291 - Wisconsin

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES Division of Public Health F-05291 (Rev.04/08)

STATE OF WISCONSIN Chapter 69.21 Wis.Stats. Page 1 of 2

WISCONSIN BIRTH CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
(Mail or In-Person Requests)

TYPE or PRINT

PENALTIES: Any person who wilfully and knowingly makes a false application for a birth certificate is guilty of a Class I felony [a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than 3 years and 6 months, or both, per s. 69.24(1)]. Any person who wilfully and knowingly obtains a birth certificate for fraudulent purposes is guilty of a Class I felony [a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment of not more than 3 years and 6 months, or both, per s. 69.24(1), Wis. Stats.].

The information in Section I is about the person completing this application.
YOUR CURRENT NAME - First Middle Last YOUR DAYTIME TELEPHONE NUMBER ( YOUR STREET ADDRESS (CANNOT be a P.O. Box address) Apt. No. MAIL TO ADDRESS (if different) ) Apt. No.

I. APPLICANT INFORMATION

City, Village, or Township

State

Zip Code

City, Village, or Township

State

Zip Code

TYPE OF CURRENT VALID PHOTO ID (See item 5 on page 2.)

PHOTO ID NUMBER

STATE OF ISSUANCE (Indicate country, if not issued in U.S.A.)

EXPIRATION DATE

II. APPLICANT'S RELATIONSHIP TO PERSON NAMED ON THE CERTIFICATE

According to Wisconsin Statute, a CERTIFIED copy of a birth certificate is only available to those with a "direct and tangible interest" (categories A ­ E below.) You may select to receive an uncertified copy if you just need a copy for informational purposes OR if you do not meet the criteria for categories A ­ E. In that case, you may check category F below. (See item 1 on page 2 for more details.)

Check one box which indicates YOUR RELATIONSHIP to one of the PERSONS NAMED on the birth certificate.
A. I am the PERSON NAMED on the birth certificate. B. I am a member of the immediate family of the PERSON NAMED on the birth certificate. (Only those listed below qualify as immediate family.) NOTE: Grandchildren, step-parents, step-children and step-brothers/step-sisters may only obtain certified copies as C ­ E.) CHECK ONE. Parent (whose name is on the birth certificate and whose parental rights have not been terminated) Spouse Child Brother / Sister Grandparent

C. I am the legal custodian or guardian of the PERSON NAMED on the birth certificate. (Legal proof is required. See item 1 on page 2.) D. I am a representative authorized, in writing, by any of the aforementioned (categories A - C). (The written and signed authorization must accompany this application. See item 1 on page 2.) Specify whom you represent. __________________________________________________________________________________ E. I can demonstrate that the information from the birth certificate is necessary for the determination or protection of a personal or property right for myself/my client/my agency. (Proof is required.) Specify interest. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ F. Uncertified copy (information purposes only; not valid for legal purposes) ­ Persons not in categories A ­ E above OR who do not need a copy for legal purposes. (See item 1 on page 2.)

PURPOSE FOR WHICH CERTIFICATE IS REQUESTED (Specify. This information will assist us in processing your request.)

III. FEES

FEE IS NOT REFUNDABLE IF NO RECORD IS FOUND. CANCELLATION REQUESTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Search Fee (includes one copy, if found) ....................................................................................... $ 20.00
State number of additional copies TOTAL Note: If you cannot provide a specific year of birth (at least within a 5-year period), additional search fees will be charged for locating the record.

20.00

$0.00 Each additional copy of the same record, issued at the same time as the first copy .............. __________ X $ 3.00 ___________

$20.00 ___________

Make check or money order payable to: STATE OF WIS. VITAL RECORDS

Be sure to include (1) completed form, (2) acceptable identification, (3) any additional proof or authorization required, (4) self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope, and (5) check or money order.
Mail your application materials and fee to: STATE VITAL RECORDS OFFICE / PO BOX 309 / MADISON, WI 53701-0309

BIRTH NAME - First

Middle

Last Name as it appears on the birth certificate

IV. BIRTH RECORD INFORMATION

SEX Male Female

BIRTHDATE (Month / Day / Year)

PLACE OF BIRTH - County

PLACE OF BIRTH ­ City, Village, or Township

Mother's Last Name ("Maiden Name") as it appears on the birth certificate Father's Last Name as it appears on the birth certificate

Mother's First Name Father's First Name

Mother's Middle Name Father's Middle Name

I hereby attest that the information provided on this application is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and that I am entitled to copies of the requested birth certificate in accordance with the categories listed above.

SIGNATURE - Applicant (Person Named in Part I Who is Completing This Application)

Date Signed (Month / Day / Year)

Important: If you do not sign and date this form above
Vital Records Staff Use: File Date __________________

, your request cannot be processed.

Clear Form

Mother's County of Residence _____________________________ Certificate Number _____________________

WISCONSIN BIRTH CERTIFICATE APPLICATION
F-05291 (Rev.04/08)

Page 2 of 2

1. What is the difference between a "certified" and an "uncertified" copy of a birth certificate?
A certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the State Vital Records Office will have a raised seal, will show the signature of the State Registrar, and will be printed on security paper. A certified copy may be required to obtain a state-issued driver's license or identification, for travel to foreign countries, to obtain a passport, or for benefit purposes. State law restricts who may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. A certified copy can only be issued to those people with a "direct and tangible interest" (section II, categories A ­ E) which means the following people: The person named on the birth certificate (section II, category A). An immediate family member, defined as spouse, child, or parent (whose name is on the birth certificate and whose parental rights have not been terminated), brother/sister, or grandparent of a subject of the record. (section II, category B) NOTE: Grandchildren, step-parents, and step-children can only obtain certified copies as C ­ E. The legal custodian or guardian of the person named on the birth certificate. Legal proof, e.g., a court order of custody or guardianship, is required (section II, category C). A person authorized in writing by one of the above. A written and signed authorization must accompany the application and the authorization must clearly state the relationship of the authorizing party to the subject of the record (section II, category D). A person who can demonstrate that the birth certificate is required to determine or to protect a personal or property right (section II, category E). Proof is required. If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you cannot receive a certified copy of a birth certificate. An uncertified copy will contain the same information as a certified copy but it is not acceptable for legal purposes, such as proof of identity (section II, category F).

2. Limitations on access to certain birth certificates
An uncertified copy will contain the same information as a certified copy but it is not acceptable for legal purposes, such as proof of identity. According to Chapter 69, Wis. Stats., uncertified copies of the following types of birth certificates may not be obtained by anyone: A child born to unmarried parents and paternity has not been established. A child born to unmarried parents and paternity was established by court order. Only persons with a "direct and tangible interest" (categories A ­ E) may obtain certified copies of those types of birth certificates listed directly above.

3. How long will it take to process my request?
Copies of birth certificates are available from the State Vital Records Office no less than 3 weeks from the date of the birth.


Applying in Person In-person requests for certified copies of birth certificates are usually completed within 2 business hours of application, if the birth certificate is on file. In-person requests for uncertified copies of birth certificates are not completed on the same schedule as requests for certified copies. In-person requests for uncertified copies may take up to 6 months to complete.



Applying by Mail Requests for certified copies of birth certificates may take up to 1 month to complete. Requests for uncertified copies of birth certificates are not completed on the same schedule as certified copies. Mail requests for uncertified copies may take up to 6 months to complete.

4. How will the certificate be sent?
Birth certificates will be mailed in 1 of 3 ways: a self-addressed, stamped envelope provided by the applicant a pre-paid carrier envelope provided by the applicant (e.g., express carriers) first-class mail NOTE: It is illegal to FAX birth certificates.

5. What identification is required when applying for a certified or uncertified copy of a birth certificate?
A current valid photo ID (e.g., Wisconsin Driver's License, Wisconsin State Identification Card, passport, Military Identification Card) is required when applying in person.) A photocopy of the applicant's current valid photo ID must accompany all mail applications.

If you have questions regarding this form, please call 608-266-1373 or visit our website at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords.