What to do without a birth certificate?

Is it bad to not have a birth certificate?

The birth certificate is the most important document at several points, including entering school, getting a social security number and card, getting a passport, a driver's license, or even playing school sports.

Which is more important, a birth certificate or a passport?

A valid passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Some countries may allow you to enter with only a birth certificate, or with a birth certificate and a driver's license.

Who legally owns your birth certificate?

You own the certified copy of your birth certificate, but the original birth record (the entry in the official government register) is held by the state or local government where you were born, making them its custodian, not owner in a personal sense. While you have the right to access and possess your certificate, the state maintains the definitive, permanent record, with restrictions on who else can get copies to protect your privacy, notes Los Angeles County RR/CC (https://www.lavote.gov/home/records/birth-records/birth-records-request/who-can-obtain-a-copy-of-a-birth-record) and San Mateo County Health (https://www.smchealth.org/post/birth-certificates). 

What to take for a birth certificate?

To get your birth certificate, you'll generally need a completed application, proof of your identity (like a driver's license or passport), your birth details (name, date/place of birth, parents' names), and payment for fees, though requirements vary by state, so always check your specific state's vital records office for exact documents. 

Does everyone have a birth certificate in the US?

For those who were not issued a certificate at birth, it is possible to apply for one up until their 18th birthday. However, only people aged 18 and below are issued a birth certificate. People above age 18 are issued an 'Age Declaration Affidavit'.

What documents count as proof of birth?

Common date of birth (DOB) proof documents include official birth certificates, passports, and driver's licenses, but other government IDs like Aadhaar (India), Voter IDs, or PAN cards (India) are also used, as are school records (like matriculation certificates) or church baptismal certificates if official records aren't available, though requirements vary significantly by location and purpose. 

Where do I get proof of birth?

Births are registered at the Department of Home Affairs. An abridged birth certificate is issued for free on registration of the birth. Information on how to apply for a copy of the birth certificate or an unabridged birth certificate is available from the Department of Home Affairs.

How do you prove you are a U.S. citizen without a birth certificate?

How to Gather Secondary Evidence for Proving U.S. Citizenship

1. immigration status of your parents at the time of your birth.
2. travel history of your parents.
3. all the schools you attended and the dates of attendance.
4. your residence history.
5. siblings' birth details.
6. details of your mother's prenatal care.

What are two documents you need to prove your identity?

To prove your identity, you typically need one primary photo ID (like a driver's license or U.S. passport) and a secondary document like your Social Security card, birth certificate, or a utility bill to confirm your name and potentially your address, depending on the requirement (e.g., for opening a bank account vs. airport security). 

Can you use a social security card as proof of identity?

No, you generally cannot use your Social Security card as a standalone ID because it lacks a photo and physical description, but it is crucial for proving your Social Security Number (SSN) for employment, taxes, and government benefits, often used as a secondary document alongside a primary photo ID like a driver's license or passport for things like opening bank accounts or getting a REAL ID. 

What can happen if you lose your birth certificate?

Losing your birth certificate means you'll need to order a certified replacement from the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born, as it's essential for proving identity for passports, licenses, school, or jobs; you'll typically need to provide ID, pay fees, and fill out an application, with options to order online, by mail, or in person. If no record is found, they'll issue a Letter of No Record, which helps prove citizenship.
 

Is it illegal to not have a birth certificate?

What happens if a child is not registered? Birth registration is the only legal way for a child to obtain a birth certificate. This legal proof of identity unlocks essential public services, like healthcare, routine immunizations and education. It also helps protect children from abuse and exploitation.

What is your strawman?

Straw man is a third party that holds property in intermission for the sole purpose of transferring it to another. In property law, a straw man would be the person whom a grantor transfers land to for some reason; (sometimes known as a "front") for the sole purpose of concealing the true owner.

When did birth certificates become mandatory in the US?

For states with Appalachian counties, birth certificates were required in the following years: Alabama (1908), Georgia (1919), Kentucky (1911), Maryland (1898), Mississippi (1912), North Carolina (1913), Ohio (1909), Pennsylvania (1906), South Carolina (1915), Tennessee (1914), Virginia (1912), and West Virginia (1917) ...

What can substitute a birth certificate?

A baptismal certificate or a statement as to the date of birth shown by a church record, certified by the custodian of such record. 3. Notification of registration of birth in a public registry of vital statistics.

Why do we need birth certificates?

A birth certificate is a document issued by a government that records the birth of a child for vital statistics, tax, military, and census purposes. The birth certificate is among the first legal documents an individual might acquire. They are so common that we might even overlook their significance.

Can I use an old passport instead of a birth certificate?

You can prove your US citizenship with one of the following: Original Birth Certificate (if born in the United States); or Old (undamaged) passport; or Original Certificate of Citizenship or FS-240, DS-1350 ( if born outside the US );

What to do if you never get a birth certificate?

Contact the vital records office in your birth state so they can search for a record of your birth. If they cannot find your birth record, they will issue you a Letter of No Record, which includes: Your name. Your date of birth.

Why wouldn't someone have a birth certificate?

Still, the primary motivations behind purposefully avoiding birth registration appear to be rooted in ideas of “individual choice,” and conspiracy theories that birth and Social Security documents lead to government ownership of individuals.

What are the most important documents to have?

Vital records such as birth and death certificates, and certificates of marriage, divorce, citizenship, or adoption. Contact information for children, neighbors, other close family and friends, lawyers, financial advisors, and religious contacts.