How to Access Public Birth Records

Public birth records are required to be filed by theof public record information, as it relates to that
government in every state of the United States.person's background. In addition to the birth records,
Within these public birth records, a birth certificateyou may find information about the person's criminal
and other related documents will be found. Theserecords, marriage records and more.
records are often used for historical demographic willHowever, you will have to contact the state which
information. However, it is your right as a privateyou were born in, if you're trying to get an official
citizen to have access to these public birth records ascopy of your birth certificate. You will not find it at
well.the U.S. Census Bureau or even at the hospital that
For example, let's say you were skeptical of ayou were born. You must contact the vital records
person's age. Even though they showed you their ID,office in your state, to get an official certified copy.
you feel it may have been faked. You could accessThis copy will be printed on security paper, and
the public birth records, and find out the person's truecontain the seal and signature of the state registrars
age. Also, you can find out who their parents actuallyoffice.
are, to determine if they were adopted or not. You'llIn order to obtain this record, you need a personal
be able to find out who the true birth mother is ifform of identification, such as a driver's license or
you needed to track her down.passport. In addition, you will be required to pay a
Each state maintained its own directory of public birthfee for the certified copy.
records. This means that if you wanted to accessAn uncertified copy of the birth certificate is available
them, you have to travel to the state the first wasfor anyone who applies. You do not need to go
born in. However, this is in the case anymore. Therethrough all of the legal red tape to obtain an
is a better way.uncertified birth certificate copy. However, it may not
There are many different public record databasebe accepted as a valid form of proof, because it
companies out there, who for a small fee, will grantdoes not contain the same security encoding a
you access to the database. In it, you'll find all kindscertified birth certificate does.