Home Birth Registration

How to Register a Birth Record for Home Birth or Birth that Occurs outside of a Licensed Health Care Facility



If you've already had or are planning to have a birth at home or somewhere outside a health care facility without a midwife or licensed birth attendant, the Center for Health Statistics can help you get started. We provide the information and forms you'll need to register your baby's birth in a Home Birth Packet.



Registering your baby's birth helps you receive:


A birth certificate

A Social Security Number (needed for taxes)

Access to health insurance or other benefits


We encourage you to request the Home Birth Packet and begin the process before your child turns one year old. Please see the options for requesting a packet below.






Registering before the baby turns one may help you avoid:


Extra forms or documentation

Possible registration fees

Delays in receiving your baby's Social Security Number

Longer wait times for processing



Summary information about the process and timelines of requesting and submitting a home birth packet are available on this handout.

Details on the process and documentation can be found at OAR 333.011.0220.





For Children Under the Age of One

1. Request a Home Birth Packet

Option 1: 

Complete the Home Birth Packet Request Form


The information on this form ensures that we are sending the home birth packet to the correct person and it helps us track the important legal documents that are included in the home birth packet.

Submit completed form via:

Email: CHS.Amendments@oha.oregon.gov

Mail: Oregon Vital Records


PO Box 14050
Portland OR 97293    

Fax: 971-673-1201

We may need to contact you to get additional information before sending you a birth packet.

 

Option 2:

Email CHS.Amendments@oha.oregon.gov. Please put in the subject line “Home Birth Packet Request".  Include in the email the following information: your full name, the full name of the mother/parent who gave birth, the child's name, mailing address, email address and phone number.

We may need to contact you to get additional information before sending you a birth packet.




Option 3:

Leave a message requesting a home birth packet at: 971-673-1147. Please provide your full name, the full name of the mother/parent who gave birth, the child's name, mailing address, email address and phone number.

We may need to contact you to get additional information before sending you a birth packet.





2. Once you receive your home birth packet in the mail, read it carefully. It contains forms and information about required documentation needed to complete the registration of your child's birth with the state and how to obtain a birth certificate. 
   
   For your convenience, we have included a list of what you will receive in the home birth packet:

Home Birth Registration Packet Cover Letter

Certificate of Live Birth (This legal document can only be received in the home birth packet.)

Vital Record Office Verification of Live Birth Form

Voluntary Acknowledgment of Parentage Affidavit

Birth Certificate Order Form

Submit the completed forms and required documents by:


Mail: Oregon Vital Records

PO Box 14050

Portland OR 97293



Drop Box: 800 NE Oregon Street

Portland, OR 97232

(located by the west door entrance in parking lot)

Include all required documents and fees in a sealed envelope.




For Anyone Age One (1) Year and Older

If it has been more than a year since the home birth occurred, a different process called Delayed Registration of Birth must be completed.


Email CHS.Amendments@oha.oregon.gov for instructions on this process.

Amendment order processing times vary. For more information about what to do if you have submitted an order but have not yet received it:

Click here to return to the Main Page and select "Amendment Order Processing Times" from the "Change a Record" menu.