Certificate of Live Birth vs. Birth Certificate: Know the Difference
Published January 21, 2022
There are times when you must confirm your identity, such as when marrying, enrolling in school or applying for a passport or driver’s license. You may be required to provide an official birth certificate in those cases. When asked for your birth certificate, it is critical to present the original, not a certificate of live birth. While they may sound similar, they are, in fact, two different documents. Now, let’s understand the difference between a certificate of live birth vs birth certificate.
Certificate of Live Birth vs Birth Certificate
Certificate of Live Birth In a Nutshell
A certificate of live birth is the document that hospital staff completes following the delivery of a baby. A live birth certificate comprises the following information:
- Name, sex, and date of birth of the baby.
- Vital statistics such as the baby’s weight, height, and age.
- Whether the birth was a single, twin, or multiple.
- A description of the health of the newborn, including any abnormal conditions and congenital anomalies.
- Names, addresses, education level, and demographic data of the parents.
- Prenatal and delivery health information.
- Names of the hospital and doctors who delivered the baby.
The parents complete the certificate of live birth, confirmed by a hospital attendant, and then sent to the state’s Office of Vital Statistics or registrar for generation of the official birth certificate. It is mostly used for data input, though many parents save this document as a memento of their child’s birth.
Birth Certificate In a Nutshell
A birth certificate is an official record of your birth that incorporates information from your live birth certificate. It is printed on official state letterhead and is certified by the state seal and the registrar’s signature.
A birth certificate usually includes the following information:
- Name, race, and gender of the baby.
- Date and time of birth.
- Parents’ names, birthdays, and places of birth.
- Doctors who delivered the baby and the place of birth.
Due to the fact that birth certificates are produced by states and are not mandated by the federal government, states may require additional or fewer details to be included. Even though a birth certificate is incomplete, once issued by the state, it remains a legitimate legal document.
The Need for a Birth Certificate
A birth certificate may be required in various situations throughout your life. When you:
- apply for a passport, driver’s license, or other government-issued identification;
- enroll yourself or a child in school;
- get married;
- enroll a child in sports, and;
- apply for specific jobs
Your birth certificate should always be maintained in a secure location where you can easily retrieve it. If you do not have an official copy or require additional copies, you may obtain them through your state registrar’s office or order them online.
Lost Your Birth Certificate? Request A Replacement Online
Instant Vital Records offers a birth certificate replacement service you can use from the comfort of your home. Enter your information and our software will automatically complete the required forms for your state. We print and mail your forms along with required payments to your state health department. You can trust that we take your personal information privacy and security seriously with HIPAA compliant data storage and data encryption. To get started, simply click here to begin your application. Your replacement documents will arrive by mail to your home within a few weeks.
About The Author
Krizzia Paolyn, is an SEO Specialist and author. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She started her career as a content writer for various digital magazines and renowned publications. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage others to share their voices as well.
