Birth Certificates are essential to prove your identity. If you need a passport, an identification card, vehicle title, a marriage license, a drivers license, to prove your age for a sports team or even to open a bank account in some cases, your birth certificate proves that you are you!
If you were born in any of the New York boroughs, there are a few steps you must take to obtain a copy of your New York birth certificate. Keep in mind to get a copy, you’ll need to either download a pdf form, have the document notarized or much quicker, complete online paperwork submit payment and provide an unexpired copy of one of the following forms:
- Driver’s license or nondriver’s ID from all states and U.S. territories
- Employee ID with verifiable employer and recent pay stub
- IDNYC Municipal ID
- Inmate photo ID with release papers.
- MTA reduced fare MetroCard
- Military ID card
- Public benefit card
- Student ID and transcripts
- U.S. or foreign passport
- U.S. employment authorization card
Note: New York birth certificates issued prior to 1910 can be requested by contacting the New York City Department of Records Municipal Archives.
Once you get a certified copy, it is imperative to keep it safe and secure to prevent identity theft. The information that is included on a birth certificate should be kept confidential and includes:
- Person’s basic information: This section includes all the main information about the birth including the first, middle, and last name and gender.
- Time of Birth: The certificate also lists the date and time the child was born and if it was a single child, twin, etc.
- Location of birth: The hospital or facility’s name and full address including street address, city, state, and county will be listed on the certificate.
- Names of Parents: If both parents are known, their full name, middle initial and last names will be listed. Their birthplace city and state will also be included if known.
- Legal Information/Certification: This section will include the parents’ signatures, the physician’s and appropriate license numbers for filing and records.
Once you go through the process and receive a certified copy of your New York birth certificate, it’s time to keep them filed in a safe and secure location. As a matter of fact, some experts recommend ordering more than one copy to ensure you have them available when you need them to prove your identity. Get copies of your New York Birth Certificate by going online today.​
