| When preparing for the many milestones in life that | | | | evidence the certified certificate copy was issued by |
| require proof of personal identification, don't overlook | | | | the office of vital statistics in the county, city or state |
| the need to present an official birth certificate copy. | | | | where the birth occurred. In general, the notarized |
| Applying for a driver’s license, marriage license, | | | | document will show the full certificate holder’s |
| passport, enrolling children in school and even some | | | | name, the date and place of birth and a file or |
| jobs often require an official birth certificate copy to be | | | | registration date within one year of the birth. |
| presented. When you think of an ‘official” birth | | | | Example of a Short Form: |
| certificate copy, what do you think? Well, don’t | | | | Aside from requiring an official birth certificate copy, |
| think hospital copy or a photocopy from your office | | | | some agencies will specify whether they want to see |
| copier because that is NOT what the people | | | | the long or short form. The short form is a computer |
| requesting your “official” copy have in mind. | | | | generated certificate that typically only contains name, |
| Your Original Birth Record: | | | | birth date, file date. The short form is a certified copy. It |
| Often, people don't realize that what they consider | | | | may or may not contain the parent’s names. This |
| their official birth certificate is not actually a legal | | | | form is commonly needed to prove identity for |
| document. The copy given to new parents at the | | | | licensing, travel, estate and passports. |
| hospital, sometimes with the baby's footprints on it, is | | | | Example of a Long Form: |
| meant to be a cherished keepsake but is not valid for | | | | The long form, also usually provided as a certified |
| official proof of identity. Your original birth certificate | | | | copy, is generally an actual photocopy of the archived |
| must remain on file at the designated vital records | | | | certificate. This version provides everything on the |
| agency office of your birth place after being submitted | | | | short form (name, date, file date, place of birth) as well |
| for registration by the attending hospital. This is where | | | | as any other information recorded by the hospital, such |
| the only “original” copy of your birth record is | | | | as parent’s names and occupations, or birth time. |
| located. This version is kept under lock and key and | | | | The long form is not as commonly needed, but can be |
| most people will never see their original. This is done to | | | | used for passport, social security, international adoption |
| help ensure your identity is protected. For purposes of | | | | or dual citizenship. |
| official business you’ll want to obtain a certified | | | | While it might seem tedious to go through the process |
| (raised seal) birth certificate from the department of | | | | of securing a certified, official birth certificate copy, it is |
| public health or vital records office where the birth took | | | | for the public's safety that many organizations require |
| place. This is also often described as an “official” | | | | it. If simple, non-certified photocopies were considered |
| copy. | | | | legally valid, identity theft could skyrocket. If a certified |
| What makes a Certified Birth Certificate Official? | | | | birth certificate was to fall into the wrong hands the |
| The number one difference between official and | | | | potential for identity theft damage is significant. This is |
| informational birth certificate copies is a registrar's seal. | | | | why it is recommended to keep your birth records and |
| The type of seal used varies by states, but will be | | | | other vital records in a secure area such as a safe or |
| proof that the birth certificate is a government issued, | | | | security deposit box. |
| certified document. The seal might be raised, | | | | Next time you realize you need to present a birth |
| embossed, impressed or multicolored. Most importantly | | | | certificate--remember why it has to be certified. The |
| it will be notarized (signed and dated) by the registrar. | | | | additional steps are in your best interest to protect |
| Certified copies can be used to prove identity for any | | | | your identity. If you have certified copies on file, make |
| reason. For example, these copies will be accepted | | | | sure they are in a safe, secure area. If you do not |
| when applying for passports and drivers licenses, | | | | have a copy handy, you may want to consider |
| among other occasions. | | | | ordering your official birth certificate online. You never |
| What the Birth Certificate should include: | | | | know how soon it will be that you need to present a |
| Most situations requiring a birth certificate will require | | | | certified copy. |
