A short form birth certificate, which is often referred to as an “abstract,” is a condensed version of the long form birth certificate. It includes only select information from the original birth certificate, such as the registrant’s full name, date of birth, and place of birth.
Short form birth certificates typically do not include the parents’ full information or the specific place of birth (such as the name of the hospital or the address). Because of this, many agencies do not accept short form certificates for identity verification.
Short form birth certificates primarily serve as proof that a complete birth certificate exists on file.
What Information Does a Short Form Birth Certificate Include?
The exact format and information vary by state, but short form birth certificates typically include:
- Name of the registrant
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Date the birth was registered
- Some parental information
Limitations of a Short Form Birth Certificate
Short form birth certificates are not accepted for all purposes. For example, a short form birth certificate cannot be used to obtain a US passport, and many government agencies require the long form birth certificate instead.
Also, while short form certificates may suffice for local school enrollment or private employment, they are not accepted for federal identification.
Following the May 7, 2025, REAL ID deadline, most states require a long form birth certificate to issue compliant driver's licenses. The US Department of State requires the long form for all passport applicants to verify parentage.
If you need a birth certificate for official identification, immigration, or travel, request a certified long form birth certificate from the state where the birth was registered.
Read more: Long form vs. short form birth certificate
