Public Birth Records

Actually, the state government is in charge of public birth records in the US. The birth certificate (or documents recording the birth) contains the date of birth of a person. Usually, birth records rely on the birth certificates submitted by hospitals. Such records are also a basis of historical or demographic information.

The way things are now, when a baby is born, its birth records need to be filed with that county’s registrar. Fortunately, all birth records are now recorded or filed electronically. Are you wondering who has the legal right to claim certified birth records? There are generally 6 categories of people who hold the legitimate right to get certified birth records of a person. They are-

1. The registrant – the person who’s birth records is filed
2. The parents (either father or mother will do) of a registrant
3. The children of a registrant
4. The registrant’s legal guardian(s)
5. The registrant’s legal representatives
6. Any one of the registrant’s heirs

These days, it’s possible that you get copies of birth certificates online.

Public birth records happen to be the most prominent proof of an individual’s age. They might actually be attained if the authorized person contacts the Health department of the city/country where the registrant was born. But just as said earlier, birth records are very private by nature.

They’re useful for identification purposes and for finding the actual identity of a person’s parents. Birth certificates might also be used when you are considering applying for your passports or your driving license. Talking of online access of birth records, there are certain security protocols for safeguarding the privacy and confidentiality of delicate information.

If a birth certificate’s certified copy is to be obtained, you have to contact the Vital Records Office of the county or city in which the birth was filed in. Such certified copies come printed onto security paper and contains the raised seal & signature of the state registrar. Just like said earlier, public birth records might be used for obtaining the following things-

• A state-issued driving license
• A state-issued identification
• A passport
• Insurance benefits
• For traveling abroad

Nevertheless, uncertified copies of birth certificates are obtainable by anybody who applies. Although this record will contain the exact information as a certified one or the original one, it isn’t acceptable for fulfilling legal purposes. Among states, the cost of obtaining a birth record can vary. But it typically ranges between $24.95 and $75.00.

 And just like said earlier, birth records contain 3 valuable information-

1. Father’s name
2. Mother’s name
3. Birth place

The best things about such publicly held birth records is that, you have the motivation and time, you can find out who your relatives are and what your family tree looks like. Understandably, knowing who your distant ancestors were is indeed a great experience.

You can also go for a paid search website that charges a nominal fee. They might be worth trying out if you want to research on your family tree or ancestors. But for legal purposes, as said earlier, you have to contact the respective authorities mentioned earlier.