How to Get a Birth Certificate After The Birth of a Baby
Birth certificates are required for numerous things including enrolling your child in school and obtaining legal identification. Your child’s birth certificate will serve as her first form of identification and provide pertinent information about her, her parents and the details of her birth. The way to obtain your child’s birth certificate after she’s born will depend on the state, or more specifically, the county in which she was born.
Step 1
Contact the vital records office in the state or area where the baby was born and request an application for a birth certificate. Some counties have the forms available online, but others require the form be picked up in person or that you send a self-addressed stamped envelope for mailing.
Step 2
Fill out the application with all the details about your child. Include his full name, date and time of birth, your name, your birth-date, where you live and his father’s details. The father’s information is optional if you are unmarried.
Step 3
Return the completed application to the vital records office or submit it online. Follow the directions provided on the application for supplying any additional information. Proof of your pregnancy and a signature of a witness will likely be required if you gave birth outside a hospital, though this varies by state. You will also need government-issued photo ID and proof of your relationship with the baby. A fee is required to process the application in most counties.