Need Proof of Identity? Make Sure You Have a Birth Certificate
How to Order a Birth Certificate
There will be several instances that require getting a copy of a birth certificate. Ordering a copy of your own or another individual's official birth certificate is a fairly easy process. Before getting a copy of a birth certificate, you should make sure you have the information that's required to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible. You will also need to prove that you are who you say you are. Now, let's look at how to order a birth certificate.
Important Details
You're required to have basic information about the individual for whom you're getting a replacement birth certificate. You're not required to know their blood type or Social Security number, but you do need the day, month, and year of birth, as well as the individual's full name and their gender.
When getting a replacement birth certificate, you should have a reason for obtaining it. This allows you to determine which certificate you'll receive, whether it's long form or short form.
Common reasons for ordering a birth certificate include applying for a driver's license, applying for a passport, or registering for college. You're also required to have the names of the individual's parents. While it's important to know the mother's first and last name, some states may require you to know the father's name as well. You may also be asked if the parents were married at the time of birth.
Order In-Person
Once you have the appropriate information, you can determine how to order a birth certificate. One way is do order it in-person. However, there are several disadvantages to this option. The family may not live in the same city or state the individual was born. Or, they could have moved away from the location that the individual was born.
Traveling to your city or state's office of vital records isn't possible for many people. Even if that family resided in the same city or state, visiting the office of vital statistics may not be practical for most people. The entire process isn't going to take minutes. You don't know how long the lines will be or how busy the office is. You could end up waiting several hours.
Order Online
The most convenient way to order an official birth certificate is online. As long as you have all of the required information, then the process should only take a few minutes.
When you order a birth certificate through an authorized provider, the time to process the order will depend on the location. The averaging process time could vary by city or state. Most agencies will process these orders within days, while others could take several weeks.
Verify Your Identity
By the end of your order, you may be required to answer additional questions about your identity. These questions vary among the city or state that you're ordering the certificate from. It's too easy for people to claim to be someone else online. The verification process requires you to prove that you're really who you say you are.
You'll be asked to enter your date of birth, driver's license number, passport, Social Security Number, or other forms of identification. Or, you can sign an electronic statement proving your relationship to the individual whose certificate you're purchasing. These documents are often e-mailed, faxed, or uploaded for added convenience.
Shipping Options
Rather than waiting for snail mail, you can choose express or overnight shipping. Choosing these shipping options provides more security which means you can track the process of your shipment before it arrives to your door. On the day that it's delivered, you're expected to sign for it.
You'll feel less stressed knowing it didn't get lost or end up in the wrong hands. However, it's not required to pay extra for shipping. You can have the birth certificate delivered by first-class mail, if you want. While you'll save more money, regular shipping can take as long as 10 business days. It also doesn't come with insurance, security, or tracking.
