An original birth certificate is a primary form of identification and proof of citizenship in the US. There are two kinds of birth certificates: certified and informational.
Original birth certificates require a government seal and include information about the child’s parents. It’s a type of certified birth certificate that can be used to enroll a child in school, obtain a driver’s license, and more.
Why Are Original Birth Certificates Important?
Birth certificates are important personal records. They establish a person’s US citizenship and are needed for various official and essential processes.
Some of the most common uses of a certified copy of the birth record include:
- Verifying a person’s identification details
- Registering as a new employee
- Enrolling or registering for school
- Opening a bank account
- Receiving social benefits or insurance payments
- Proving age
- Getting a driver’s license
- Genealogy and family research
- Replacing a Social Security card
- Joining the military
- Obtaining an ID card and a REAL ID card
- Applying for a passport card or book
Long-Form vs. Short-Form Birth Certificates
Short-form birth certificates, also known as abstract birth certificates, only include the name, date of birth, and birth location of the child. The format changes by state.
A long-form certified birth certificate is an official copy of the original birth record issued by the state’s vital records office. It contains all the relevant details of a person’s birth, and extra features which are often required legal and federal processes.
These include:
- Official, embossed/multicolored government seal
- Parents’ full names
- Registrar’s signature
- Date of filing (within one year of the child’s birth)
Both long-form and short-form certificates can serve as proof of citizenship and legal identity. However, in certain states and application processes, the short-form is not always accepted. If you need to provide a birth certificate copy, check which type is required.
Long-Form vs. Short-Form: The Federal Requirement Rule
State departments only accept the long-form certified birth certificate when you apply for or renew a passport. They never accept the short-form version as it simply doesn’t have enough information.
Similarly, as of 2025, the US government no longer accepts mobile/electronic birth records for passport applications. You need a physical copy of your long-form original birth certificate.
What Is an Amended Birth Certificate?
Amended birth certificates are issued for adopted children after the adoption process has been finalized. This differs from a long-form certified birth certificate, which is issued at the birth of a child before adoption takes place.
In an amended birth certificate, the adoptive parents’ names are displayed as the biological parents of the child. This document is then placed in the state’s public adoption records.
You can also amend a birth certificate to change your name or gender marker, or to correct any errors on the original certificate. In most states, these changes must first be approved by a judge.
Once you have the necessary approval, you must then petition the vital records office of the state in which you were born. Various filing fees and documents will be required to complete the birth certificate amendment process.
Where Are Original Birth Certificates Kept?
Original birth certificates are stored at your state’s vital records department. These are issued after the required forms are submitted by the hospital where the baby was born.
In the case of adoption, an amended birth certificate is issued, and a certified copy of the birth record is usually kept in a secure location until retrieved.
The regulations for adopted people obtaining their own original birth certificates vary from state to state. In certain cases, a court order is needed. Other requirements, such as application fees differ.
How Can I Access My Birth Certificate?
The quickest way to obtain an official copy of a birth certificate is by filling out an online application. This lets you understand the application requirements, prove your identity, and complete the application process in minutes.
Read more: How to get a copy of the original birth certificate?
