Birth Certificate

Birth Certificate

Obtaining A Copy Of Your Birth Certificate

If you were born in the United States, the government issued a birth certificate. A birth certificate is a document that shows what city and state you were born in, what day you were born on, and who your parents are. As a child, or a teenager, you most likely needed to show an original birth certificate while:

• traveling to another country
• proof of identity for the SAT exam
• proof of identity to get your learner's permit for driving

If you are married, the court house might have asked to see your birth certificate, along with your spouse's birth certificate. Some jobs require proof of US citizenship and a birth certificate provides that proof. A birth certificate is required for obtaining a US passport.

Unfortunately, due to numerous moves from home to home, house fires, or even just pure lack of organization, many people tend to lose their original birth certificates. Thankfully, you can obtain a legal copy of your birth certificate.

How to Locate a Copy of Your Birth Certificate

A copy of your birth certificate can only be obtained from the state where you were born. Most states provide a centralized source from which a copy can be ordered. In most cases, you'll need to allow three to six weeks to obtain a copy of your birth certificate. Some states offer a shortened (abstract) version, but this version might not be acceptable proof when applying for a job, a passport, etc. It's best to order the full, certified copy of the original birth certificate. This certified copy will include:

• date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office
• the registrar's raised, embossed or multicolored seal
• registrar's signature

Each state has its own rules and fees for ordering a birth certificate. You can obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate by contacting the village court where you were born. In many states, the village court is located in the municipal building. They will have a copy of your birth certificate on file. There will be a fee to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate.

A birth certificate is considered as valid proof of US citizenship by the federal, state and local government. This vital record needs to be kept in a safe place. Ideally, it should be kept in a fireproof box or if you have a safety deposit box at the bank, it can be kept in there. You'll never know when you'll need to have your birth certificate readily available to show as proof.

Search For Birth Certificate

Popular Searches: birth certificates, birth records, certificates of birth, birth documents, registration of birth, death records, death certificate, cemetery records

Birth Certificate: