Although summer is in full swing, the start of the school year is just around the corner for Mississippi students, with many districts beginning the 2026-27 academic year in July. With that in mind, health officials are reminding parents that they will need a birth certificate for their students.
For those lacking their child’s birth certificate, the process of obtaining one is not as difficult as it has been in prior years. Parents can now purchase these documents online through the Mississippi State Department of Health’s Office of Vital Records.
Buying certificates online allows parents to skip lines and avoid an in-person visit to the vital records’ office in Ridgeland. But for those who are wary about using the internet to obtain sensitive documents, birth certificates can also be bought by mail or by phone through the same office.
The office of vital records is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
