Now That the Baby Is Here, How Do I ?

Now that the Baby is here, “How do I…”?

(Please keep this form handy right after baby is born)

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! With all of the excitement involved bringing a new baby into the world, it is common to forget all about the instructions or- “how to”: get a birth certificate, social security number, get the required PKU test and add baby to your health insurance company.

Birth Certificate

You will fill out a home birth draft at your first postpartum visit. I will send the information electronically to Carson City, and they will issue the birth certificate. Allow 7-10 days for processing

The cost:

Birth Certificate: $33 / (1973-Present)
Birth Certificate Copy: $20 / Each additional copy after the original

Please call first to check if it is ready before you plan on going.

PHONE: 702-759-1011.

Birth certificates can be requested by one of the following methods:

In Person

You can request a birth certificate in person at:

Vital Records

Address: 280 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89107

Phone:(702) 684-4242

Cash, money order, Visa or MasterCard are accepted. Valid photo identification is required (e.g. driver's license, passport)

By Mail

Mail a money order (made payable to SNHD) along with a completed Birth Certificate ApplicationPDF (56 KB) and a copy of your photo identification to:

Southern Nevada Health District - Vital Records Office
P.O. Box 3902 - 625 Shadow Lane
Las Vegas, NV 89127

By Fax

Fax a completed Birth Certificate ApplicationPDF (402 KB) along with the completed credit card (Visa or MasterCard only) information and a copy of your photo identification to (702) 759-1421.

Online

You can request it on line at . You will need to pay with a credit or debit card on line, there are extra processing fees and shipping for requesting this on line.

Social Security Number

On the birth certificate form there is a box that you can check off for your baby to receive a SS card. If the County does its job in a timely manner, all info will go to the government to start the process. This could take up to one month. If you have not gotten your baby’s card by then, call the 800# for social security and ask if the card has been prepared yet. If not, you will need to go down to the nearest Social Security office and apply in person. You will need the original Newborn Screening test result for baby, (from me), the original birth certificate, and a letter confirming baby’s birth, (from me). Please call me in advance so I can have it ready for you.

Newborn screening Test

The Newborn screening test is a special blood test that can find rare metabolic disorders that can cause brain damage or death if not treated early. Nevada State law requires hospitals and midwives to obtain a Newborn Screening test during the first week of life and again at around 10 days old. Nevada contracts Oregon State Lab to collect these specimens for your convenience. Results are available 10 days-2 weeks after testing. There is a $71.00 fee for this test to be performed by the Oregon state Lab. This fee should be collected by sweet Beginnings. For more information please visit these web sites:

Nevada State Public Health Lab

National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center

Adding your baby to your health insurance

Once you have picked up the original birth certificate, show your employer or the Human Resource department so they can add the baby to your health insurance policy. Usually this needs to be done within the first 30 days.

If you have any questions, please be sure and contact me by phone: (702) 349-2135 or by email at: .