Certified Copy of Birth Certificate vs. Original: What’s the Difference?
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.
Original Birth Certificate
An original birth certificate is a vital record made during the birth process, typically in a hospital, and submitted with the state’s vital records office. It is an official birth record since it is completed at the time and in the manner specified by state law.
After the hospital submits the birth certificate for registration, the original must be kept on file at the local vital records agency office. Technically, this is the only place where a copy of the original birth certificate can be found. Additionally, it is the place where births are registered. The original certificate is kept secure to protect people’s identities.
In some instances, an individual’s original birth certificate may need to be replaced. If you are the one who needs to replace your birth certificate, visit the website of the state’s vital records office and follow their walk-in, write-in, or online application procedures. You will almost certainly require state-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license.
If you do not have a state-issued photo Identification, contact the department to determine what other options may be available. One option that some states provide is for your father or mother whose name appears on the birth certificate to submit a notarized letter along with a copy of their photo ID.
Conclusion
A birth certificate’s certified copy is required when applying for Social Security benefits or a passport. Federal, state, as well as local government agencies also accept it as proof of US citizenship.
Regarding certified copy of birth certificate vs original; a certified copy is one that has been generated by the state agency responsible for record storage, whereas an original birth certificate is a vital record created during the birth process and submitted to the state’s vital records office.
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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.
