Almost always, a certified copy issued by a government agency is required. However, it is unlikely that a birth certificate copy attested in this manner would be accepted by any official agency. In this case, the affidavit is handled like any other notarization with a jurat. A person can make a copy of the birth certificate themselves, prepare an affidavit stating that the copy is true and correct, and have that affidavit notarized (this is sometimes called "Copy Certification by Document Custodian"). This would preclude a notary public from issuing any sort of attestation as to the trueness of a birth certificate copy, even in states where copy certifications are an authorized duty of notaries public. Only the authorized governmental agency having custody over the original birth record is authorized to issue certified copies. In fact, hospitals often do not maintain any birth records beyond seven years. You should note that a hospital souvenir birth certificate, which typically contains the footprints of the newborn, is not an official birth certificate and can't be used for legal purposes. Usually, an applicant for a certified copy of a birth certificate must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as being named in the record. The agency will issue certified copies upon request, which typically include advanced security features such as watermarks, multicolored or embossed seals, and thermochromic ink. The original birth record is in the custody of a government agency, typically the health department or vital statistics office. When a person claims to have their "original birth certificate," what they really possess is a certified copy. In reality, notaries are not authorized to make certified copies of birth certificates, regardless of where the original birth certificate was issued.įirst, it is important to gain an understanding of birth certificates. This misunderstanding stems from the cruise ship industry, which for years told cruisegoers that a "notarized birth certificate" was acceptable as proof of citizenship. Notaries are occasionally asked to "certify a copy" of a birth certificate.
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