Birth Certificate

Published May 20, 2022

Can you get married without a marriage license? Yes, but it will not be legally binding. Ceremony and celebration are perhaps the most memorable elements of a wedding. However, if you want to get married legally, you need to sign a marriage license first. This paper legally binds two people together and is important if you intend to change your name. Acquiring a marriage license and, later, a marriage certificate requires multiple steps.

What distinguishes a marriage license from a marriage certificate? First, you obtain a marriage license, which is an application to get married. Next, you will receive a marriage certificate once the form has been completed, the ceremony has occurred, it has been signed, and your officiant has submitted it to the county. Finally, the couple will receive a certified copy of the marriage certificate following the wedding, which will serve as proof of their marriage.

Getting Married Without a License

Back to “can you get married without a marriage license?” There are numerous ways for couples to devote their lives to one another; one is referred to as a “commitment ceremony.” Commitment ceremonies are actual ceremonies, minus the red tape and stress of a legal ceremony on the same day as the exchange of vows. It is an opportunity for couples to exchange vows or have a ceremony based on their personal ideas and values.

Can a pastor marry a couple without a marriage license? Yes, as commitment ceremonies have no restrictions. In addition, several states allow you to solemnize your vows without a court or civil officiant during commitment ceremonies, and you can even have someone sing your vows with you.

Commitment ceremonies can even seem like a legally binding wedding. However, the couple will be at no point to sign documents and make the wedding legal by government standards. Unknowingly, you may have attended a wedding ceremony that was a commitment ceremony.

“Spiritual,” “symbolic,” and “promise” ceremonies are alternative terms for commitment ceremonies.

Published May 13, 2022

Whether you are facing an unwanted pregnancy or are at home with your child and considering adoption, you may be asking, “How to put a child up for adoption?”

Adoption is always a possibility for you, regardless of your situation. There are various reasons why a woman may choose adoption for her child. Regardless of the reason, you can provide your child with a beautiful life with an adoptive family.

Choosing Adoption

It is hard to consider when you start to think about “how to give a child up for adoption?” and even more so if you’re about to do it. Ensure that you research all of the alternatives so that you can make the best choice for you and your child.

Adoption Plan

If you have decided to place your child or baby for adoption, you must contact an adoption professional, such as an adoption attorney, consultant, agency, or other adoption facilitators. Your preferred adoption professional will assist you in creating an ideal adoption plan for both you and your child.

An adoption advisor will closely work with you to tailor your adoption plan to your specific needs and wants. Your Advisor will allow you to find the perfect family for your child based on your preferences, address your financial assistance needs, if applicable, assist you with hospital preparations, and more.

Adoptive Family

Selecting the appropriate adoptive family for your child after thinking about “how to put a kid up for adoption?“ can be difficult; ensure that the adoptive families have been screened so that you are confident in your decision.

Know the Adoptive Family

Over the past decades, adoption has changed, and “open adoption” is a term we hear frequently. Open adoption enables the birth mother or birth parents to maintain contact before, during, and after the birth. Contact can include sharing images, phone calls, video calls, messages, and sometimes even visits. Obviously, the degree and type of “openness” depend on the situation. The majority of adoption experts and adoption specialists agree that having an open adoption is the healthiest option for all parties involved; however, the degree of openness should be determined by the child’s overall wellbeing.

Hospital Plan

If you choose adoption for your child following the thought of “how to put your child up for adoption?,” you will have 24/7 professional care, and all expenses will be covered. In addition, in preparation for labor and delivery, your adoption expert will assist you in developing a hospital plan. The following are examples of questions by your professional:

Do you want interaction with the adoptive family while at the hospital?

How long do you wish to spend with your newborn following the delivery?

Who will change your baby’s diapers, dress and feed him or her, etc.?

Legal Steps for Adoption

Depending on state law, you must wait two to three days after the birth of your child to finish the adoption papers. Your adoption professional and attorney will assist you in preparing for the legal process of placing a child for adoption. Before beginning the adoption document-signing process, they will ensure that you fully comprehend your adoption rights and are comfortable with your decision.

Published April 29, 2022

A long-form birth certificate is an exact copy of the original birth certificate on file at the facility where the birth occurred. The short form birth certificate, on the other hand, is a notarized declaration that the long-form birth certificate exists and is currently on file.

Difference Between Short Form, Long Form Birth Certificate

At times, a long-form birth certificate may be considered the official document. Each state, however, may have a slightly different name for it. It typically contains all of the information found on a birth certificate but may differ according to the location of the person’s birth — the time and place of birth, the names and addresses of the parents, and the signatures of those present at the birth. If you are considering adopting, asking for dual citizenship, or obtaining a passport, you will require a long-form birth certificate.

It is unnecessary to have multiple copies of a birth certificate; nonetheless, they should be stored safely. To be prepared for an unplanned event, it is important to have your vital records organized and accessible. Reach us on our website if you have any questions regarding how to get a birth certificate.

A short form birth certificate is a shortened version of the standard birth certificate. It omits certain details to keep it concise and convenient.

In essence, the short form is a notarized declaration that a long-form birth certificate exists and is currently on file with the agency that processed it at the time of birth. Therefore, there will be no information regarding your exact birthplace, such as a hospital or home, nor the dates of your parents’ birthdays on the short form, which will have a file number on it to link back to the original form.

Where to Use

The birth certificate is used to provide legal proof of identity or citizenship in both its long and short forms. As a result, both versions can be used to get a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license or a Social Security card.

The short version, however, may not always be accepted by all states or for all applications, as some states require that the requested copy of the birth certificate include the complete details of the birth and every information associated with it.

Genealogists also recommend the long-form certificate since it provides complete detail about the parents.

Published April 22, 2022

If your child has cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, or any other birth disability, you may be eligible for financial compensation through a birth injury lawsuit. These cases are brought against doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who may be held responsible for any injury sustained by a child.

Lawyers on both sides of a birth injury lawsuit establish their claims and then try to reach an agreement to conclude the case. Numerous families employ the services of experienced lawyers with knowledge and experience in birth injury lawsuits. Birth injury lawyers file claims and speak for families seeking compensation to cover the expense of their child’s treatment.

Some birth injury claims have been granted millions of dollars to pay medical expenses such as surgery, therapy, medication, as well as other care costs.

Steps on Filing a Birth Injury Lawsuit

Although each case is unique, most birth injury claims go through the same steps. The initial step to filing this type of lawsuit is contacting a lawyer who is familiar with birth injury cases. A lawyer can assist you in filing your lawsuit, gathering evidence, establishing your claim, and possibly winning compensation.

1. Case Review

A reputable birth injury law firm can provide you with a free case consultation. Prior to filing your claim, determine your eligibility to file a birth injury claim.

If your attorney finds that you have a solid argument, they will determine the amount of compensation necessary to treat your child’s condition for the rest of their life.

2. Evidence

Your lawyer will have to establish that your child’s injuries or death resulted from medical negligence. They will gather evidence and information related to your case in order to establish a successful claim.

This may include the following:

• A complete chronology of activities before, during, and following the delivery process
• Maternal health records describing any complications that occurred during pregnancy
• Medical records showing the conditions your child is currently afflicted with as a result of the birth injury

3. File a Lawsuit

Once your lawyers have gathered all the necessary material, they will file your claim formally. You will be the plaintiff, while the doctor or the hospital named in the lawsuit will be the defendant. The court will then set the case’s schedule, including mediation and dates of trial.

Your birth injury lawsuit will seek monetary damages from the defendants, and they will normally have 30 days to respond. You will win the case if the defendant does not respond. If they respond and refuse to compensate you, they will state why they are not liable for the child’s injuries.

4. Discovery

Following the defendants’ response to the case, your lawyer will collect additional evidence to support your claim.

During this period, your lawyers may request further medical records or other related documents to the birth of your child in order to acquire more detailed information. In addition, you, your family, as well as medical experts may also be required to make statements or give answers under oath.

5. Settlement or Trial

Birth injury lawsuits are handled through either a settlement or a trial. The defendants agree to pay the plaintiff a lump sum of money in a birth injury settlement in most cases.

In rare instances where a settlement cannot be reached, the lawsuit will proceed to trial. A judge or a jury will review both sides of the argument and determine whether the plaintiff is eligible for financial compensation.

Published April 8, 2022

Having been wrongly identified as a child’s father for years can be upsetting for men, and discovering that they have no biological connections to that child. Along with the emotional trauma caused by paternity fraud, victims of misattributed paternity may have been providing child support for years.

Getting the money back after finding the truth is never an easy task. This article will explain how paternity fraud occurs and what you can do if you have been providing child support for a non-biological child.

What is Paternity Fraud and How Does It Happen?

Paternity fraud happens when a mother misidentifies a person as her child’s biological father. The mother may be fully aware that the father is not biologically related to the child in some cases. In other instances, she is just suspecting that her child is genetically unrelated to the father indicated on the birth certificate.

Paternity fraud occurs when a man is requested to sign an acknowledgment of paternity for a child with whom he has no biological relationship. In these situations, the mother is likely the one asking the presumed father to sign the acknowledgment or birth certificate. The situation becomes more complicated when the state relies on the acknowledgment or birth certificate as proof of the person’s paternity in a child support case rather than requesting a DNA test prior to determining child support.

Paternity fraud is also a problem in some states due to a practice called “the presumption of paternity.” This occurs when the state designates a man as the biological father of a child solely based on their marriage at the time of birth or conception.

In some jurisdictions, the presumption of paternity compels the presumed father to pay child support for children to whom they are not related. In some cases, even years after the mistaken paternity is discovered.

Published April 1, 2022

A birth certificate is an identifying document necessary in the United States. It verifies your birth date, time, birthplace, and your birth parents’ names, ages, and birthplaces. Apart from documenting your birth and establishing your citizenship in the United States, a birth certificate is used to get other types of identification, such as a social security card or driver’s license.

Moreover, a birth certificate is required in some situations, such as enrolling in school, applying for government assistance, joining the military, obtaining a marriage license, securing insurance benefits, claiming a pension, or obtaining a passport. Occasionally, minors require a copy of their birth certificate in order to travel across state boundaries.

What Do I Need to Get a Birth Certificate For My Child?

The United States federal government does not issue birth certificates. They are maintained and distributed by the states and territories of the United States. So, in raising the question, “what do I need to get a birth certificate for my child?” The answer is based on the state’s vital records office requirements.

If you’ve recently had a child, you’ll want to immediately secure an original birth certificate. For children born in hospitals, a representative from the nearby vital records office often initiates the process. On the other hand, if your child was born in a birthing center or at home, you may have to apply on your own.

In general, you can order a birth certificate only for an immediate family member; however, the term “direct family member” varies. Given that the list of permitted relatives varies by state, it’s important to check with the vital records office to ensure that you qualify to request the document.

Instant Vital Records features an easy-to-navigate directory that includes connections to many states and territories. When you browse your child’s birth location, you’ll find information regarding the cost and application process for obtaining a birth certificate.

Published March 25, 2022

If you need to confirm your birthplace, the identity of your parents, or your exact age, you should begin with your official birth certificate. However, it is possible to change copies of documents. When accurate information is required, a business or government agency may request you to provide a certified copy.

Certified Copy of Birth Certificate vs Original

A certified copy of an individual’s original birth certificate is an important form of identification.

Certified Copy of Birth Certificate

A birth certificate’s certified copy is one that has been produced by the state office responsible for record storage. What does a certified birth certificate look like? Agency registrars stamp, emboss, or sign the copy to certify that it is an exact copy of the original document stored in their records. Social Security benefits and passport applications often require certified copies.

A photocopy of the original birth certificate will not qualify as proof of identity in most situations. Rather than that, a “certified” copy of the birth certificate issued by the state where the birth was registered will be required.

There must be an official state registrar’s official embossed, raised, or multicolored birth certificate seal, signature, and date to which the certificate was submitted with the registrar’s office. It must be done within one year of the person’s birth date.

A birth certificate’s certified copy should not be ignored in terms of importance. Indeed, it is regarded as the Holy Grail of proving one’s identity in the United States. A birth certificate’s certified copy is one of the four vital records that can be used to verify US citizenship, along with death, marriage, and divorce records.

Published March 25, 2022

While lost birth certificates are normal, they can cause more problems than imagined, especially if they get into the wrong hands. In addition, unfortunate events such as fires, theft, or simple misplacement frequently result in losing a birth certificate. So we provide guidelines on what to do if you lost your birth certificate and how to obtain a certified replacement quickly.

What Happens If You Lose Your Birth Certificate?

A birth certificate is the first proof of identity you acquire in life and is frequently required when replacing important documents or getting access to important services.

Whether you misplaced your birth certificate or are positive it was stolen, you must immediately notify your state’s Vital Records Office and make an order for a certified Birth Certificate Replacement. Your state’s Department of Health is almost certainly linked to the Vital Records Office. In the event of a stolen birth certificate, it is advisable to take further measures to safeguard against identity fraud. Your birth certificate may be used by identity thieves to get further valid forms of identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or Social Security number. Therefore, it is important that you alert a local police station, the Identity Theft Government website, as well as a credit monitoring agency about your stolen Birth Certificate. Once you’ve completed these steps to safeguard yourself against identity theft, you’ll need to get a replacement Birth Certificate.

Each state has rules about who can specifically ask for a replacement for a missing birth certificate for a family member, such as your child or grandchild. However, when it comes to replacing a birth certificate for someone else, most jurisdictions restrict requests to spouses, grandparents, parents, siblings, and grandchildren.

How To Replace a Lost Birth Certificate?

You can immediately request a replacement birth certificate online, by mail, or in person at your county’s Vital Records Office. Unfortunately, suppose you currently live in a state different from where you were born. In that case, you may be unable to visit the Vital Records Office. This is why services like InstantVitalRecords.com come in handy by offering the convenience of online ordering, which removes the trouble of completing lengthy forms — all done from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Your replacement birth certificate will be a certified copy. This shows that the copy was produced by the state agency that maintains your original birth certificate and includes a stamp or embossing indicating that it is a true copy of the original document. A certified copy is required for a variety of purposes, including applying for a passport or a driver’s license.

Published March 11, 2022

US vital records and legal documents are rarely used in regular transactions; the majority of people put off replacing them until they are needed. In addition, collecting applications and following the instructions might be time-consuming. Often, replacements of the records requests can take weeks unless you visit the agency’s official office in person.

If your vital records are not delivered on time, you may be denied pensions, benefits, or even your life insurance. When enrolling your child in school, you must have their birth certificate on hand before the registration period ends, and you cannot afford to lose this document.

Instant Vital Records is aware of this need for timeliness and confidentiality. Therefore, in order to maintain your privacy and security, they make every effort to deliver your records on time.

It combines state-of-the-art security with the internet’s convenience. In addition, they will mail your application for a replacement record and check payment to the right office on your behalf, saving both time and money.

Their service allows you to create and send vital record application documents online. Once you’ve submitted your application and paid, they automatically mail it to the appropriate agency. You can expect to get your replacement record after a few weeks after they process your application.

Steps to Getting Your US Vital Records

Instant Vital Records’ goal is to keep your personal information secure. As a result, all of their online transactions are completely encrypted, protected by a firewall, and hosted on a HIPAA-compliant server. In addition, they adhere strictly to the federal standards established by the U.S. Department of Commerce for the transmission and storage of personal data.

Additionally, all information collected during the ordering process is handled by authorized personnel only. Therefore, you can be confident that your personal information will be used solely for the reason for which it was collected.

Step 1: Visit Instant Vital Records Website

Instant Vital Records can be reached through their website at: instantvitalrecords.com.

Step 2: Complete The Application

To begin, click “get started” and start filling out the application. Have your ID and payment method with you.

The cost of ordering replacement US vital records varies according to several factors. The average overall cost to the buyer is $25.50; however, the actual cost varies by state.

Step 3: Wait For Your Documents

After signing and paying for the birth certificate replacement application, it will be mailed to the health department responsible for your area.

Step 4: Receive Your Birth Certificate

After processing your application, it will be mailed directly to you by your local health department office.

Published March 4, 2020

Between 1942 and 1964, the Bracero program recorded many Mexicans who arrived in the United States.

You may be thinking, “what Mexican tribe am I from?” Unfortunately, there are just a handful of documented cases of unauthorized crossings. If you have ancestors who entered the United States illegally, you need to look for your relatives in later documents made in the United States, such as the census and vital records. Many individuals who lacked legal status avoided detection and may be difficult to trace. Occasionally, it is better to gather data about them before they arrive in the United States.

Records You Can Research

You can start your research by looking at birth records from the United States that include birth information that might be extremely beneficial when attempting to connect to Mexican records. Conduct a search of naturalization, military, and border crossing records collections. Additionally, family members’ albums, journals, diaries, family members’ oral histories, court records, church records, and Alien Registration records may contain information identifying your tribe and birthplace.