Birth Certificate Registration: A Comprehensive Guide

A birth certificate is a government-issued record of birth. In many countries, such a certificate is also proof of citizenship. As such, parents must register the birth of their child with the state government. Every state has its own rules governing birth registration; parents should look up the specific requirements for their state. Most births are registered by the institution where the child is born. For example, a hospital staff would be responsible for registering the birth of the child. However, if the child is born at home or outside an institution, the family needs to register the birth themselves. If a birth occurs without medical attendance and someone other than a medical professional files the birth registration, appropriate evidence of the birth must be provided.

Things You'll Need

• evidence of birth
• evidence of pregnancy
• proof of residence
• completed registration form

Show More

Instructions

Home Births and Other Births Outside Institutions Without Medical Attendance

• 1

  Evidence of pregnancy must be included.

  The person filing the birth certificate must provide proof of a pregnancy. This can be provided with prenatal records, a statement from a physician verifying pregnancy, or a positive pregnancy test from a recognized laboratory.

• 2

  The applicant must also prove that the mother was living in the area when the birth occured.

  Proof of residency must also accompany the registration. The mother can provide a copy of a valid driver's license or state-issued identification card, or a copy of a rent receipt with the mother's name and address and the name, address and signature of the landlord.

• 3

  Additional documentation is required to verify the existence of a newborn.

  Some proof of the birth itself is required. Some states require either two affidavits signed by persons over 18 present at the birth, or a signed affidavit from a licensed physician attesting to his knowledge of the mother before birth and of the newborn after birth.

• 4

  A state may request additional documentation at its discretion. Some states require proof of identity. Other states desire proof of paternity.