Where to Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate
A birth certificate is used to enroll a child into school, to prove one's identity for a driver's license, to apply for state benefits and myriad other tasks. If you lose the birth certificate, you can get a replacement.
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History
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A birth certificate is a legal document that gives information about when, where and to whom you were born. It is issued by the state where you were born.
Where Stored
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Each state has a slightly different name and location of where birth certificates are stored. In the majority of the states, the Department of Vital Statistics is the central state agency that issues birth certificates.
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Types
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There are two major types of birth certificates: certified and noncertified. Certified copies have a seal of some sort on them; the exact type and placement of the seal will vary from state to state.
Time Frame
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Depending on your state and how many staff members it has, you could have a certified birth certificate in just a couple hours or as long as six months.
Geography
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In some states, you can walk into the Department of Vital Statistics, and with the proper identification, forms, and money, you can walk out with a birth certificate. Other states require you mail in your request.
Fun Facts
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Oklahoma is one state where you can walk in, then walk out with a birth certificate. California only allows you to request birth certificates by mail.
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