Replacement Birth Certificate: What Do You Do When You Lose a Birth Certificate?

Losing a birth certificate can pose a very challenging situation. This document is essential for obtaining a passport; it also serves as a proof of citizenship. Birth certificates are important records which everybody must have in possession as a proof of who they say they are and also to confirm the date of birth of individuals. This vital document is required also for employment and other purposes. One should exercise care therefore not to lose such documentation; but if you eventually lose yours, not to worry then, replacement birth certificate can be requested for and obtained.

You can make a request of either a certified or non-certified version of birth certificate when you lose the initial one. Owing to several legal reasons, the non-certified one may not be easily accepted in official matters; therefore, the best thing to do is to request for a certified version. However, it may cost more to obtain at the first instance.

Here are tips to help you when seeking to replace a lost birth certificate:

• Assemble the Essential Information

You need, all the vital information needful to have your lost birth certificate replaced have to be put together. Such information may include your birth date, birth state and birth place. Your father’s name as well as your mother’s maiden name may also be necessary, but they may or may not be listed.

• Get in Touch With the Office of Vital Records

Contact the office of vital records in your birth state. In recent time, offices of vital records post their materials online for easy accessibility; alternatively, you can get their phone and mailing information so as to procure duplicate birth certificate.

• Put Required Forms of ID for Duplicate Birth Certificates Together

You will need a government issued picture identity like a driver’s license or passport. However, you need to check the office of vital records in order to confirm the forms of ID that are acceptable for this purpose. Copies of these identification items can be sent via mail if you are requesting for replacement birth certificate from a distance. Another option is to have your application notarized, which will validate your identity; there is still need for your identity for the notary to be achieved.

• Fee Payment

It costs little to get a duplicate birth certificate in certified version; something between $11 and $32; the price varies. This fee is nominal when you consider the vital nature of the document. The waiting time for receiving the document by mail could be within 15-20 days. Therefore, it is better to apply earlier in case a need for it may arise urgently.

Now, if you require an express service, you may need to pay a higher fee, and probably add on any additional shipping cost depending on your personal choices.

You can send application for a replacement birth certificate if you are a parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, foster parent or a qualified genealogist; however, you need to meet certain requirements as stipulated by the office of vital records in that state.

About the Author:

Mark Wheeler is the author of this article on Replacement Birth Certificate. Find more information about Lost Birth Certificate here.