Meta: Getting a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate is not an easy task, however, with professional help it can be a bit simpler.

Certified Birth Certificate

When it comes to obtaining vital records from the United States with the ultimate goal to present such documents in a foreign country, certified copies are a must. Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate must be obtained from the appropriate government agency in order to be eligible for international use. Each state has their own set of rules and procedures governing the retrieval of the Certified Copies of Birth Certificates. Such differences may be as simple as the fee the states collects for the service, or may include different types of Certified Copies of Birth Certificates, including long forms, exemplified records and pen-in-hand certified copies.

The difference between plain and certified copy is that a plain copy does not have many of the important features which are required for international use. Also, not everyone may be able to obtain the Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate; most states have very strict requirements. Generally, an immediate relative or a parent/custodian may obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate, or a designated proxy with the appropriate authorization.

There are many reasons as to why you might need to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate, but since you already came to this page you must already have one.