Figuring out which birth certificate document requirements you need to get a replacement can seem puzzling based on your situation. Here, we explain what to expect and how some states require specific documentation to prove your identity.
There are also special circumstances, such as adoption or being born abroad, which may require you to provide unique evidence for proof of identity or relation to the person who needs to get a replacement birth certificate.
Thankfully, services like Vital Records Online exist to provide fast and convenient solutions to help you meet your state’s requirements when ordering a certified copy of your birth certificate online.
If you’re wondering, “What do you need to get a new birth certificate?” you’re in the right place! With this checklist and a little personal research, you should have a better idea of what you’ll need to get this vital record. Depending on your circumstances and the availability of your personal time, you may want to consider ordering a replacement birth certificate online today to shorten the time it takes to get your certified copy.
What Do You Need To Get a New Birth Certificate: Standard Requirements
Most states require general information to prove your identity and parental information, as well as basic information about the location and circumstances of your birth.
When applying for a certified copy of your birth certificate, some states will want to know the county you were born in, while other states also want the city name, at least one parent’s full name, and the hospital where you were born.
Proof of Identity
Today, birth certificates are required for almost all government-involved activities, such as acquiring passports, driver’s licenses, and security checks. Due to their importance, they are some of the most commonly abused documents when identity fraud occurs online. Because of that, you must provide proof of identity if you need to get a new birth certificate.
Applicants must also deal with the local government bureaucracy and meet additional birth certificate document requirements to protect their identity.
Since anyone can claim to have family relations with anyone else, many clerks at state offices look for ways to reject these applications for security purposes. Not having the documentation will result in a rejected application. Don’t worry — Vital Records Online will help you determine what documentation you need to get a birth certificate!
Copy of Your Driver’s License
Your driver’s license should contain most other required information, such as your gender, full name, and date of birth. Make sure your driver’s license is not expired, and use special care with the photocopy of your picture ID — this step in the process is rather intricate, so we go into more detail below.
Other acceptable forms of picture IDs acceptable for birth certificate document requirements usually include student or government employee ID cards. Private picture IDs, such as employer identification cards or the self-help cards available at Walmart, might also be acceptable. Each state and county has different requirements regarding what you do need to get a new birth certificate.
If you have none of these documents needed to get a new birth certificate, a sworn statement establishing your identity or relationship to the person you are ordering a new birth certificate for might be acceptable by your state.
Parental Information
This aspect of what you do need to get a new birth certificate is fairly straightforward. Most states require applicants to list their mother’s first name and maiden name. A few states allow applicants to omit the father’s name. This is especially true if the father’s name was not on the birth certificate. Some states require additional information, such as your parents’ marital status at the time of birth.
Include the Reason You Need To Get a Replacement Birth Certificate
In all these cases, you must include the reason why you need to get a new birth certificate. Common reasons include passport applications, school registrations, and driver’s license applications.
Provide a Physical Address
Now that you’re ready to submit your application package, another requirement for what you need to get a replacement birth certificate is having a physical street address, as opposed to a P.O. box number. This is especially true if you select a UPS or other overnight delivery option. Most companies do not deliver birth certificate copies or anything else to P.O. boxes.
Include a Check or Money Order
Another birth certificate document requirement involves money. Namely, you must prepare and include a check or money order payable to your health department, and don’t forget to verify your state’s fees before sending your application package.
As mentioned, a slight error could cause your application to be rejected. Enjoy the assurance of having us help you determine what you do need to get a new birth certificate.
State Required Notarization
Depending on the state you are applying for, you may need your application notarized. Be sure to check your state’s requirements when you are ready to submit your application. You can get documents notarized at a local bank branch or a FedEx or UPS retail location.
What Documentation Do I Need to Get a Birth Certificate in Special Cases?
Although each state in the U.S. has its own requirements for vital records, there are unique cases where a U.S. citizen was born abroad, adopted, or applied for a relative.
Those Who Were Born Abroad
Being born abroad or at a U.S. military base outside of the United States can present challenges for getting the required documents — depending on the country you were born in. If you were born outside the United States, even on a military base, you do not have a birth certificate like U.S. residents would.
So, in this case, what do you need to get a new birth certificate?
You can order a birth certificate by requesting what is known as a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. For those born before December 2010, your Consular Report of Birth Abroad includes the form FS-240 or DS-1350. However, if your date of birth was after 2010, you will have a form FS-240.
Learn more about the requirements for those who are born abroad.
Those Who Were Adopted
In addition to the standard requirements of what you do need to get a new birth certificate mentioned above, adoptees must also provide:
- Your full name at birth
- Your adoptive names, if applicable
- The date and place of your birth
- Your passport information, including date of issue, date of expiration, and passport number, if available
Note: Adoptees who were born abroad may not be able to obtain their original birth certificates. They only have access to the Amended Birth Certificate. A court order is still required in 25 states. However, many states have changed laws to provide easier access to original birth certificates.
What Do I Need To Get a Replacement Birth Certificate for a Child or Relative
For security purposes, most people can only obtain birth certificate copies for themselves or their close relatives, usually a spouse, parent, or child. On your application, be sure you indicate your relationship to that person. These statements usually do not require certification or verification, but ensure you check the rules for your state.
Order Online for an Easy Way To Meet Birth Certificate Document Requirements
Submitting your application online is what you need to do to get a new birth certificate, especially if your state doesn’t allow applicants to submit paperwork via email or fax. Using a reliable service like Vital Records Online will help you determine what documentation you need to get a birth certificate using a streamlined process and build your application package online.
When you’re ready to place your order and submit your credit card information for payment online, the shipping and credit card billing addresses must be the same name and information of the person or legal representative applying for the birth certificate copy.
What do you need to get a new birth certificate? Contact Vital Records Online today. We’ll help you with every step of our easy and streamlined birth certificate request process!
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