5 Ways to Get a Certified Copy of a U.S. Birth Certificate

Initially, a birth certificate can seem like a simple document. However, this piece of paper is incredibly important and often required throughout someone’s life. A certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate can serve as proof of your identity. You can’t use an informational copy of your birth certificate for verification purposes. Because of that, most people require copies of certified birth certificates rather than informational birth certificate copies.

You may recall losing a document you’ve had for a long time. So, not knowing the location of your original United States birth certificate is understandable. Don’t fret. You’re about to learn several ways to get a certified copy of your birth certificate in the U.S.

1. Visiting a Vital Records Office

The first way to get a copy of your birth certificate is by visiting the vital records office where you were born. This process varies by location. Certain states have a single dedicated place for people to obtain copies of their birth certificates. Larger states may have multiple vital records offices throughout their more populous cities.

For example, anyone born in Oklahoma can obtain copies of their birth certificate through a state-wide vital records service in Oklahoma City. However, Dallas, Texas, has a vital records office in Dallas County, providing county-wide access to vital records.

As is sometimes the case, local government offices can have busy times. Fortunately, you might avoid such crowds by showing up to obtain a copy of your birth certificate earlier in the day.

It’s worth noting that some cities and states have stopped offering documents for in-person visitors in light of the semi-recent global pandemic. Because of that, get in touch with the office in question to confirm they accept in-person office visits.

2. Mailing Your Request

The state or country where you were born likely uses a mail-in program for birth certificate copies. This option is great if you moved away from your hometown. However, getting a copy of the birth certificate by mail isn’t always ideal. If you’re operating under a tight deadline, opting for a digital copy can speed up when you receive this document.

The exact steps required to obtain a copy of a certified birth certificate may vary slightly from place to place. However, this process generally involves the following steps:

• Visit the website of the proper vital records office.
• Print and download the required application forms.
• Mail your completed forms to this office.
• Wait to receive your requested certificate in the mail.

3. Obtaining a Certified Copy Online

Understandably, most people prefer the ease of using the internet to complete tasks normally done in person. Fortunately, getting a copy of your birth certificate online is possible. However, this step can sometimes be confusing. Certain individuals prefer to have a records service track down their documents.

If you take the DIY route, determine what state, county, city, or other area stores records for your birthplace. You’ll also need to check how this department accepts applications and sends certificate copies.

4. Getting Your Copy by Phone

In most cases, ordering a certified birth certificate copy by phone is possible. You must first track down and contact the phone number of the proper vital records office. The next step is to gather the information required to obtain a certified birth certificate copy.

The information you’ll need can include:

• The person on record’s full name
• The date or approximate date of their birth
• The full name of this person’s parents
• Why you’re requesting a birth certificate copy

After you present all necessary information, presenting a valid payment method is typically next. Once this step is complete, the only thing left is to receive a copy of your birth certificate in the mail. How long this takes primarily depends on the distance from where you are to the area from which you request a copy of your birth certificate.

5. Delegating This Task to Someone Else

Not everyone can access their own records. Whether due to incapacitation or wanting to avoid the record-gathering process, you can appoint a legal representative to get your copy. In this case, the person officially appointed to this role would have legal authority to retrieve a certified copy of your birth certificate. Your parents, who are named on your birth certificate, also have the right to get a certified copy of this document.

Have a Copy On Hand

Having a certified copy of your birth certificate is helpful for many things. Typically, acceptance into schools, getting a driver’s license, and obtaining a passport all require a birth certificate. Thankfully, many ways to get a copy of this document exist.