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| Birth Certificates - How to obtain a copy in the United States |
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| A birth certificate is an official government document recording the birth of a child. Birth certificates are issued shortly after birth and include information such as the child's name, sex, date, time, and place of birth, and the parents' names. The birth certificate can be used to authenticate one's identity and nationality, assist with obtaining government-issued identity documents such as passports and driver licenses, and establish family lines for genealogists. Please check each state page for more specific information about birth certificates. |
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Copies of birth certificates are generally available at Vital Records offices at the state level and sometimes available from the county clerk's in the county where the birth occurred. Access to birth certificates differs by state; some states are "open records" states which allow access to anyone, while others have more stringent access rights.
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Below are general tips and hints for obtaining birth certificates in the United States. If you do not have complete information, please provide as much information as you can (ie provide a span of dates if you do not have the exact date).
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Try to limit it to one request per letter. Multiple requests per letter may lead to confusion. Always enclose a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) and payment. Some states may require the requestor's driver's license number and the state which issued it. |
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Please provide the following information in your request for a birth certificate: |
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Full name of person whose birth certificate is being requested. |
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Sex. |
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Parent's name including mother's maiden name. |
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Month, day, and year of birth. |
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Place of birth (city or town, county, and State; and name of hospital, if known). |
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Purpose for which the birth certificate is needed. |
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Requestor's relationship to party. |
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Requestor's name and address. |
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| If you were born abroad, with US citizenship at birth, you can request a birth certificate from: |
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| US Department of State |
| Passport Correspondence Branch, Overseas Birth |
| 1111 19th Street NW Suite 510 |
| Washington, DC 20522-1705 |
| Phone: (202) 955-0307 |
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| Click here to search and order Birth Certificates Online |
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