Difference between revisions of "Get Your Original Birth Certificate"
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===Getting Your U.S. Birth Certificate=== | ===Getting Your U.S. Birth Certificate=== | ||
#Locate the state in which you were born. The federal government does not manage birth certificates and other vital records, so you will need to identify the appropriate state. | #Locate the state in which you were born. The federal government does not manage birth certificates and other vital records, so you will need to identify the appropriate state. | ||
| − | #Find your state’s application process. Each state will have a slightly different process for requesting a birth certificate. Usually, this process is handled by the state’s vital records office. Try doing an Internet search for this office’s website, or use the state-by-state guide compiled by the federal government.<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm</ref> | + | #Find your state’s application process. Each state will have a slightly different process for requesting a birth certificate. Usually, this process is handled by the state’s vital records office. Try doing an Internet search for this office’s website, or use the state-by-state guide compiled by the federal government.<ref name="rf1">http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm</ref> |
| − | #Gather the necessary information. Although each state will have its own process, they will ask for much of the same information. Some states may require additional information (like names of the cities your parents were born in), but you will certainly want to make sure you have the following facts, documents, and other requirements handy:<ref>http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/guidelines.htm</ref> | + | #Gather the necessary information. Although each state will have its own process, they will ask for much of the same information. Some states may require additional information (like names of the cities your parents were born in), but you will certainly want to make sure you have the following facts, documents, and other requirements handy:<ref name="rf2">http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/guidelines.htm</ref> |
#*Your full name | #*Your full name | ||
#*Your sex | #*Your sex | ||
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#*A copy of a valid ID, such as a drivers license | #*A copy of a valid ID, such as a drivers license | ||
#*A fee (make sure you know what payment methods your state accepts) | #*A fee (make sure you know what payment methods your state accepts) | ||
| − | #Complete and submit the application. Each state will have its own application, which you can find either at the vital records office or online. You will be given a number of options for submitting the application, although specific options will vary by state:<ref>http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/vitalstats.html</ref> | + | #Complete and submit the application. Each state will have its own application, which you can find either at the vital records office or online. You will be given a number of options for submitting the application, although specific options will vary by state:<ref name="rf3">http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/ss/vitalstats.html</ref> |
#*In person at the vital records office(s) | #*In person at the vital records office(s) | ||
#*By mail, addressed to the vital records office | #*By mail, addressed to the vital records office | ||
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#*By telephone | #*By telephone | ||
===Getting Your Consular Report of Birth Abroad=== | ===Getting Your Consular Report of Birth Abroad=== | ||
| − | #Start the process early. If your parents were traveling abroad or serving in the military when you were born, they should have received a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country. Requests for copies of these reports are handled by the U.S. Department of State.<ref>https://www.usa.gov/replace-vital-documents</ref> This is a relatively lengthy process, so be prepared to wait four to six weeks for your replacement.<ref>http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/events-and-records/birth/replace-or-amend-consular-report-of-birth-abroad.html</ref> | + | #Start the process early. If your parents were traveling abroad or serving in the military when you were born, they should have received a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240) from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country. Requests for copies of these reports are handled by the U.S. Department of State.<ref name="rf4">https://www.usa.gov/replace-vital-documents</ref> This is a relatively lengthy process, so be prepared to wait four to six weeks for your replacement.<ref name="rf5">http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/events-and-records/birth/replace-or-amend-consular-report-of-birth-abroad.html</ref> |
#*If your parents were serving in the military and did not go through this process, you might need to contact the hospital where you were born, the operator of the base where they were stationed, or the public affairs office for the branch of the military in which they were serving. | #*If your parents were serving in the military and did not go through this process, you might need to contact the hospital where you were born, the operator of the base where they were stationed, or the public affairs office for the branch of the military in which they were serving. | ||
| − | #Gather the necessary information. Before you submit your request, make sure you have all of the facts that you will need, including the following:<ref | + | #Gather the necessary information. Before you submit your request, make sure you have all of the facts that you will need, including the following:<ref name="rf5" /> |
#*Your full name at birth | #*Your full name at birth | ||
#*Any adoptive names you have gone by | #*Any adoptive names you have gone by | ||
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#*If possible, the serial number of the original document | #*If possible, the serial number of the original document | ||
#*Your contact information, including mailing address and phone number | #*Your contact information, including mailing address and phone number | ||
| − | #Write a request letter including all of this information. Make sure to include your signature. Your letter can be typed or handwritten, but you will need to get it notarized before you send it.<ref | + | #Write a request letter including all of this information. Make sure to include your signature. Your letter can be typed or handwritten, but you will need to get it notarized before you send it.<ref name="rf5" /> |
#*Include a copy of a valid ID, such as a drivers license, with your letter. | #*Include a copy of a valid ID, such as a drivers license, with your letter. | ||
#*Include a $50.00 check or money order made out to “Department of State.” | #*Include a $50.00 check or money order made out to “Department of State.” | ||
| − | #Send your request to the Department of State. Use the following address: Department of State; Passport Vital Records Section; 44132 Mercure Cir.; PO Box 1213; Sterling, VA 20166-1213.<ref | + | #Send your request to the Department of State. Use the following address: Department of State; Passport Vital Records Section; 44132 Mercure Cir.; PO Box 1213; Sterling, VA 20166-1213.<ref name="rf5" /> |
===Getting Your Birth Certificate from Another Country=== | ===Getting Your Birth Certificate from Another Country=== | ||
| − | #Contact the embassy or consulate for the country in which you were born. Its staff can help you locate your original birth certificate and get it translated, if need be.<ref | + | #Contact the embassy or consulate for the country in which you were born. Its staff can help you locate your original birth certificate and get it translated, if need be.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Place a request with the country or city in which you were born. Like the U.S., many other countries will require you to place your request not with a central agency, but with a specific locale. However, central authorities can often point you in the right direction. As with U.S. birth certificates, you will need as much information as possible and will be required to pay a fee.<ref>http://austria.usembassy.gov/vital_records.html</ref> | + | #Place a request with the country or city in which you were born. Like the U.S., many other countries will require you to place your request not with a central agency, but with a specific locale. However, central authorities can often point you in the right direction. As with U.S. birth certificates, you will need as much information as possible and will be required to pay a fee.<ref name="rf6">http://austria.usembassy.gov/vital_records.html</ref> |
| − | #Dig deeper for less recent births. In many countries, birth certificates and other vital documents began to be collected by government agencies only recently. If you were born before this time, or you are trying to obtain a birth certificate for a relative who was, you will likely need to contact the appropriate church office. This means that you will need to know both denomination and location.<ref>https://www.wien.gv.at/english/e-government/documents/order/documents.html</ref> | + | #Dig deeper for less recent births. In many countries, birth certificates and other vital documents began to be collected by government agencies only recently. If you were born before this time, or you are trying to obtain a birth certificate for a relative who was, you will likely need to contact the appropriate church office. This means that you will need to know both denomination and location.<ref name="rf7">https://www.wien.gv.at/english/e-government/documents/order/documents.html</ref> |
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