How to Find a Copy of a Birth Certificate
A birth certificate is a legal record that documents the birth of a person. Information included on the record is the date and place of birth, and information about the person's parents. If searching for a birth certificate, you can contact the office of vital statistics/records. Most states require anyone applying for a birth certificate to be the person named on the record or to be closely related to the person named on the record. This usually includes parents, children, siblings, grandparents and spouses.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Gather identifying information for the person named on the birth certificate. To obtain a copy of a birth certificate you must know the full name of the person named on the record, her date of birth, her parents' names and her place of birth. The place of birth includes the state and city. If some information is not known, a search for the birth certificate can still be conducted but the lack of information may hamper the process.
-
2
Contact the office of vital statistics/records in the state where the person named on the record was born. Only the office in that state will be able to produce a copy of a birth certificate. All states have an office of vital statistics/records in their capital city. There also might be an office located in other major cities in that state. Each office maintains a website and customer service number.
-
-
3
Complete an application for a copy of a birth certificate. The application must be obtained from the state office either in person or downloaded online from the office's website. Many offices allow the third-parrty vendor VitalChek.com to process online orders. If ordering a copy of a birth certificate online, there is no need to complete a paper application.
-
4
Present suitable identification noted on the application. When ordering the record, the applicant must present identification which could include a state-issued or military-issued identification card; a U.S. Passport is usually acceptable. If ordering the record by mail or by fax, the applicant must send a copy of his ID. Online and phone orders may require that the name of the applicant match the credit or debit card used to process the order.
-
5
Present proof of relationship. If you are not the person named on the record, nor the parents of the person named on the record, you may be required to provide proof of relationship. Such proof may be, for example, your own birth certificate showing that you share the same parents as the person named on the birth certificate you are ordering, or legal guardianship documents that show you are the guardian of the person named on the record. If ordering the certificate by mail or fax, provide a copy of this proof. If ordering online or by phone, you may be required to fax the proof of relationship.
-
6
Pay for the record search. Those paying for the search in person may usually pay in cash, check or money order. For mail and fax orders, a check or money order must usually be used as payment. Online or phone orders will require a debit or credit card for processing. Once the application, identification, proof of relationship and fee are submitted, a search for the birth certificate will begin. If the certificate is found, a copy will be sent to you in the mail.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit birth marriage and death image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
