Obtaining Documents

HOW TO OBTAIN ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS

PROVING DATE OF BIRTH

Certified copy-of-birth records may be obtained from the Registrar of Vital Statistics of each state, province or local office where the child was born. For U.S.-born persons, addresses of these offices or bureaus, fees required, and other pertinent information are supplied by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (National Center for Health Statistics). A database listing the method for obtaining birth records from any U.S. state or territory is available at the following Internet address: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm Individual states may also have on-line instructions on how to obtain “rush” birth records. To find out a state’s latest policies regarding birth records, go to the Internet site listed below and type “birth records” into the search field, designate the appropriate state, then click on “SUBMIT.” http://www.firstgov.gov/

Persons in the U.S. who need a copy of a non-U.S. birth record should contact the Embassy or the nearest Consulate of the country in which the birth occurred. Addresses and telephone numbers for these offices are listed in the U.S. Department of State Publication 7846, “Foreign Consular Offices in the United States,” which is available in many local libraries. Copies of this publication may also be purchased from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Such proof-of-birth records must meet the criteria for acceptable proof listed above.