Birth Certificate FAQs

A certified copy of a birth certificate is an official state registration paper issued by the State Vital Records Office. Every original copy issued by that office must have: an official state registrar's raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, the registrar's signature, the date of issuing Furthermore, this Vital Record is an important paper as it proves the identification and citizenship status of the person registered.

Birth certificates are often not a public record. As each state is the only one responsible for issuing birth certificates, every state has its own rules and regulations for people to access. Hence, the disclosure of the vital record is reserved for each state’s applications.

Generally speaking, to get your birth certificate, you need to contact the vital record office of the state you were born in. Depending on the state, there are some instructions you need to follow, some forms to complete, and fees to pay. So, you can request your birth certificate by going directly to your state vital records office or applying online. Also, there are online services that help you to make this process easier, such as vitalrecordsgov.com. We have created a standardized process to avoid any confusion between each state’s vital record office. You will only need to complete a form we have created for you and prove your identity.

Every state of the US has its own Vital Records Office that issues this type of document. Indeed, you can only get a copy of your birth certificate at the vital records office or the county clerk of where you were born. This hinders every process when in another state. In addition, only you, or an authorized person by you, could have access to it. Nevertheless, you can get your birth certificate online. Online services for birth certificates like vitalrecordsgov.com can help get this paper much simpler and easier. It is perfect when you do not live in the state where you were born, or you do not have time to do long queues for applying directly at the office.

Above all, the time between issuing and reception relies on your living place and whether you order online or in person. On the one hand, in person is the shortest waiting time, but it can be very binding. You will have to do lines at the office when presenting your information and documentation. It also requires you to live in or near your native state. Yet, if you are lucky enough to not compete with high demand at the office, you could receive your birth certificate the same day. On the other hand, ordering online can be done anywhere and will allow you to skip the waiting line. It only takes 10 minutes to apply, and it will be issued in your native state within one business day. However, depending on the state and the vital records' office, it will most likely take between 4-8 weeks for arriving for both, online or physical applications.

A birth certificate's price varies depending on the state. It could vary even among localities within the state and, occasionally, if ordered online or not. In other words, a copy of this vital record can cost from $7.00 to up to $34.00. Check at the office or the server you are applying to.

To begin with, there is no national birth registry. Therefore, the states issued birth certificates, meaning that requirements can vary depending on each state's regulations. You will need to contact the vital records office at the state where you were born to get a copy. Usually, you need to provide all kinds of information of identification and to provide documents that prove your ID. Also, after that, you need to pay a fee. Do not forget to provide a precise address in your form. Then, you will only have to wait for your vital record to arrive at that address. By contrast, an easier way to do so is through online services platforms for vital records. These already have a simpler system for ordering birth certificates. You will need to complete a standardized form, provide one ID with a picture, and a method of payment. Then, you will only need to wait to receive your certificate.

US Birth Certificates have all the basic information of the person registered. However, blood type is not commonly included.