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The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Vital Records office is seeing a significant increase in the number of people coming to the offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and McAlester to get birth certificates. To speed up the process, OSDH public health officials are asking people to come early with required documentation and bring a family member who can translate, if you speak a foreign language other than Spanish.

"We normally expect to see a slight increase going into tax season, but the number of customers is unusually high lately," said OSDH State Registrar Kelly Baker. "The average number of persons served at the Vital Record offices is nearly 40 percent higher than usual for February and is very similar to what is experienced during the back-to-school season in August, and right after the implementation of Oklahoma House Bill 1804,? Baker said.

The increase in requests may be a result of the economic downturn, which is requiring more people to apply for public assistance benefits that require proof of citizenship following the passage of the Federal Budget Deficit Reduction Act and Oklahoma's HB 1804.

Baker recommends that if you need a copy of your birth certificate, check this Web site first: http://vr.health.ok.gov. You can print a copy of the application and have it completed before you come to the Vital Records office. Try to arrive early, before 10 a.m., but no later than 4 p.m. The Oklahoma City Vital Records office is open at 8 a.m. The Tulsa and McAlester offices open at 8:30 a.m. but lines become long by 11 a.m.

Also, be prepared to present a legal, photo identification (ID). Examples of these are listed on the Web site. Birth certificates are $15 each, but if the certificate requires an amendment before it can be issued, additional fees will be assessed and the applicant may not receive the birth certificate that same day.

Birth certificates are not records open to the public. They can only be obtained by the subject of the record, a parent named on the record or a person working in the subject's best interest. If you are not the subject of the record or a named parent, please check the Web site for requirements before going to the Vital Records office.

The Vital Records offices have a limited number of staff who speak Spanish to serve as translators. Any applicant that speaks another foreign language is encouraged to bring a family member or friend who speaks English with them to translate and help avoid delays.

If you have questions, check the Web site first. If you don't find what you need, email askvr@health.ok.gov or call the Vital Records office at (405) 271-4040.