FastBirthCertificates - Blog

Getting Your REAL ID: Why You Need a REAL ID

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 17:23:15 GMT

The requirements for having a REAL ID go into effect soon. On October 1, 2020, there will be changes that you need to know about now. These may impact your ability to fly, access certain buildings, and other circumstances in which you need to present identification.

Getting a REAL ID requires visiting your local Department of Motor Vehicles. To apply, a variety of documents need to be provided, including your birth certificate. Several other forms of identification are needed as well, and the requirements vary with each state.

If you haven’t yet applied for your REAL ID and need a copy of your documentation, contact FastBirthCertificates today to order your birth certificate online. If you’ve misplaced it, don’t worry. Obtaining your identification doesn’t have to be a hassle. Request documentation from us and view our infographic on why you need a REAL ID and how to go about getting one.

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A Guide to Enrolling Your Kid in School: Documents You Will Need

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Summer is almost over, which means it’ll soon be time for kids to head back to school. While you may be focused on buying school supplies and new outfits for the school year, there are other things you don’t want to forget.

If you’re enrolling your child in school for the first time (or at a new school), you don’t want to forget to gather must-have documents. Wonder “What do I need to enroll my child in school?” We’ve got you covered!

Check out our guide to enrolling your kid in school, including getting a birth certificate replacement if needed.

Registration Paperwork

The first thing you’ll need in order to start the enrollment process for your child is the registration paperwork. This form requires basic information such as their full name, date of birth, and current address. Depending on what grade your child is enrolling in, you may also be asked to provide a list of previous schools that they’ve attended.

Proof of Residence

Proof of residency for school enrollment is another must-have piece of information. Most schools require that the registering parent or guardian to present various documents to prove that the child is registering at a school in the correct district.

Proof of residence can be shown using various documents including personal identification, such as a driver's license or vehicle registration. You’re also required to provide a document that proves your current address. You can use a property tax form, utility bill, or mortgage statement to meet this requirement.

Since proof of residence requirements vary by school district. Be sure to check with the local school system first to ensure you have the necessary forms to prove residence.

Proof of Child’s Age

To ensure your child is enrolling in the appropriate grade, schools require you to provide a proof of age. There are many documents that can be used to show your child’s age, including:

Passport
Baptism of religious certificate
Past education record
Original birth certificate

Immunization Records

Most school districts in the U.S. require children to be vaccinated within the last 12 months. Immunization records can be obtained by contacting your city's health department. These records must be signed by a public health official or a state-licensed physician in order to be valid.

Aside from immunization records, your district may also require a full physical for first-time student enrollments.

Special Enrollment Situations

In the event that you’re enrolling a child in school without custody, you’ll need to fill out a Custodial Statement and Agreement: Third-Party Custody along with the above required documents.

If your child is not vaccinated, your child may be able to attend school if an exemption is granted on medical or religious grounds.

Quick & Easy Birth Certificate Replacement

Now that you know how to enroll a child in school, the next step is to gather all of the required documentation. In the process of searching, if you find that you’re unable to locate your child’s birth certificate, you’re not completely out of luck!

At FastBirthCertificates.com, we offer a quick and easy birth certificate replacement service. Simply click the state that you live in and provide the required information. You can choose to expedite delivery, in which you'll receive the birth certificate in 15-20 business days. An immediate processing option is also available, which requires only 4-6 business days.

For questions or concerns, email our team and we'll respond within 24 business hours.

How to Order a Birth Certificate When You Were Born Outside the USA

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Your birth certificate is an important document for many reasons; having this vital record copy is critical for enrolling in school, getting a job, and obtaining various licenses. It’s a simple process if you were born in the USA, but getting a replacement birth certificate for children born overseas to parents in the military requires a different set of steps. Here’s what’s needed to get a birth certificate copy if the child was not born in the U.S.

If Your Biological Parents Are US Citizens

Your parents may not have been in the United States when you were born but are U.S. citizens. If your parents registered your birth with the country’s consulate or the U.S. Embassy, they should have been issued a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).

This document certifies you as a U.S. citizen from birth. Another option is to check for a birth listing with the vital records office in the country where you were born.

If you are over 18, you can request as many copies of the certificate of birth abroad, or FS-240, as you wish. In order to do this, you’ll need to submit a formal request in writing that includes several pieces of information. You’ll also need to submit a copy of a piece of valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, military ID, or passport.

Should you not have the above ID, you can submit a copy of your school or employee ID, income tax return, or a utility bill and mail this information with your payment to the U.S. Department of State. You will need to wait up to eight weeks to receive your birth certificate copy with this process.

If Your Adoptive Parents Are US Citizens

You may have been born outside of the U.S. and then adopted by U.S. citizens. When this is the case, you will need to contact your birth country via the consulate or foreign embassy that’s closest to it. If the document requires translation, you can also request the embassy’s help in doing so.

You should also have been issued copies of citizenship or naturalization if you were adopted. If you don’t have these documents, you can contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service for an application requesting a replacement of this document.

It’s important to consult the USCIS website when completing and mailing form N-565. There are specific instructions that need to be followed to ensure prompt processing of your application.

The Fast and Easy Way to Get a Copy of Your Birth Certificate

If you are an adult who needs a replacement birth certificate for citizens born abroad, you can complete this process quickly and easily with FastBirthCertificates. Receive a copy of your birth certificate in just three simple steps.

You can start your application by filling out our short web form, signing and dating the documents we send you, and then the issuing government office will send you a copy of your birth certificate. Our process is state-certified and 100% secure. Get started ordering your birth certificate copy today.

What to Do if There Is No Name on Your Birth Certificate

Tue, 14 May 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Although it may seem unusual, many birth certificates without names have been issued. This has caused individuals some difficulty when trying to order vital records online. Here are some common scenarios that can result in no name for a child or a parent being on this document, and what to do if this has happened to you.

How and Why Are Names Omitted?

There are many reasons for a name not appearing on a birth certificate. For example, parents don’t necessarily have to name their newborn child at the time they’re born; they have one year to do this. However, due to life circumstances, they may have forgotten to do so.

Some communities, such as the Amish, may not record a child’s birth at all. This can mean that many adults don’t have a birth certificate. In the case of same-sex marriage, some states still require that each parent on a child’s birth certificate be of different gender, resulting in birth certificates without parents’ names.

A child’s first or last name may also have been spelled incorrectly on this document. Regardless, it’s never a good idea to have no name on your birth certificate for a passport or when trying to get other important documents. For those wondering how to get a birth certificate with parents names on it or to obtain their first birth certificate, there is a process to follow.

Getting Your Name on a Birth Certificate

For those wondering if a birth certificate without a name is valid, the answer is no. Where this is the case, filing for a legal name change is really the only way to ensure a name or a correct name appears on the certificate. This will allow it to be used to obtain every other important document that will be needed in the future.

For those who never had a birth certificate, a search will have to be requested. Once it’s been confirmed that no birth certificate was issued, a birth certificate application must be completed and submitted with secondary evidence like a baptism certificate, community directory, or marriage license.

Of course, the exact process does vary by state; in some states, a signed affidavit may be necessary, as well as appearing in court and providing records from a school or hospital.

How to Get a Father’s Name on Your Birth Certificate

You can update the father’s name on your birth certificate, but this process will also vary from state to state. You will have to send a copy of your original birth certificate to your state’s Department of Vital Statistics and also have the father sign an affidavit in which they acknowledge paternity, which you will then submit.

Get Birth Certificate and Other Vital Records, Fast

Do you need a birth certificate if you’re traveling, getting a license, or registering for school soon? Yes. So, why wait? FastBirthCertificates has you covered. Our simple, 3-step process is all you need. Discover why so many choose us when they want to order their documents online.

What Will Birth Certificates Look Like in the Future?

Tue, 07 May 2019 07:00:00 GMT

When a person’s birth is registered, it forms a foundation from which all other necessary documents can be issued. Without a replacement birth certificate, a person’s identity is in question, and they may be ineligible for many social services. In order to understand and plan for its future use, we must look into birth certificate history, as well as how it is being used today.

The Past

Populations were being counted and documented before Jesus’s time by Roman, Persian, Egyptian, and Chinese societies. Although births were recorded by many churches in the 1500s and 1600s, not all churches participated in this. To add to the problem, there were many children being born at home, and their births would go unrecorded.

There would be no formal means of recording birth data until 1900 when the Bureau of Census would begin using a birth certificate form for this purpose. When were birth certificates introduced? The document as we know it today wouldn’t become standardized until 1946.

The Present

What is a birth certificate used for today? Everything from enrolling in school and getting a driver’s license to proving age and obtaining Social Security benefits. There have been many changes not only to how birth certificates are able to be obtained but also what information is now being included on them.

Thanks to the internet, we can order and view birth certificate online and know that no one else can see this sensitive data, thanks to digital encryption. As well, a Gender X option is now available, allowing individuals to more clearly state their gender preference. Experiments with blockchain have also begun, which may change the face of this document significantly in the years to come.

The Future

With a growing population, it will become necessary to make birth and other data as easily accessible as possible. A future child birth certificate may include far more than the details of their birth. If blockchain technology is implemented, this document may be able to be accessed by various government agencies, allowing them to view and confirm data such as a recorded blood type on a birth certificate.

With access given by their guardian, a child’s doctor would also be able to access—as well as update—data. It may also be that, instead of a physical card, a person’s birth and health details will exist on a chip in a small device worn on the body like today’s fitness watches. This instant access to a person’s birth information would be of great benefit to emergency personnel, helping them administer treatment sooner and more effectively.

It’s Easy to Get a Birth Certificate Copy

The future is here; instead of wondering how to get a birth certificate, all you have to do is go online with FastBirthCertificates. Whether you’re having a child soon or need a copy of your birth certificate fast, our certified 3-step process is not only fast but easy and completely secure. Visit us today to order your birth certificate copy.

How Have Birth Certificates Have Changed over the Years?

Sat, 13 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT

Birth certificates have undergone numerous modifications since the early 20th century. Here’s a brief overview of changes made to the California birth certificate. These changes have made them both a vital part of modern life and an important acknowledgment of individual rights and freedoms. We’ll also reveal how to get a birth certificate in California.

It Began with a Shift in Control

In the 16th century, churches were in charge of recording and registering births. In turn, this also helped governments to keep a count of the population, allowing them to later impose taxes on individuals and conscript them for military service. It wouldn’t be until almost the mid-1800s that the government would assume control of birth registration, and then make it mandatory after several decades.

Changes in Birth Certificate Usage

Where this important document used to be used for the sole purpose of providing a record of a child’s birth, it can now be used for much more. For example, anyone conducting a search for “how to get birth certificate California” will see that this document can now be used to obtain other required documents like a passport or social security number.

As well, in being able to produce a birth certificate, a person can more easily be enrolled in educational programs and receive many social services.

Recognition of Gender Identity

Although the requirements for information included on birth certificates has gone largely unquestioned in the past, this is no longer the case. Now, individuals who don’t agree with the gender indications on the document are demanding changes.

These demands have not gone unheard; the beginning of 2018 saw the introduction of a third gender option, “Gender X,” on Washington and California birth certificates. This option allows individuals who don’t identify as male or female to indicate this legally.

Inclusion of Both Partners

It used to be that, where it came to any statement of parentage or spousal relationship, the only legally recognized form of this designation was solely heterosexual.

Today, thanks largely in part to the landmark civil rights case of Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex relationships are not only recognized in terms of marriage rights but have now also been extended to the marriage-related rights of both partners; specifically, the parental information on a child’s California birth certificate sample.

Previously, only one partner of a same-sex relationship was legally able to be listed as a child’s mother or father, but now both partners can be included and recognized as legal mothers or fathers of a child. However, some states continue to refuse to allow these changes, and only time will tell how this will eventually play out in the U.S.

Don’t Be Without a Birth Certificate

If you’ve lost or misplaced this vital document and are wondering how to get a new birth certificate in CA, there’s great news: FastBirthCertificates has an easy 3-step process. Get a completely legal copy of your birth certificate fast so you never have to be without it for long.

U.S. Birth Stats That Will Raise Some Eyebrows

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 18:03:35 GMT

Since 1970, statistics about U.S. birth rates and other interesting data have been tracked on a regular basis to determine various trends. Among one of the most noticeable trends is the number of births per 1,000 people has declined gradually. Another trend is the age of the parents has been slowly increasing since 1970.

Part of the reason for these trends is because people are waiting longer to start a family and deciding to have fewer children overall. Aside from families being a little smaller than they were in 1970, there are still over seven babies born every minute of every single day!

Some women even give birth to twins, triplets, quadruplets, and quintuplets or more than five babies! To check out more interesting U.S. birth stats like the most and least common birthdays, the most popular birth time, and popular baby names then and now, we invite you to continue reading the following infographic.

Afterward, if you cannot locate your birth certificate or need to get copies of birth certificates for your children, please feel free to order them online through FastBirthCertifcates.com or contact us directly for further assistance.

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7 Things on Your Birth Certificate That Can Change Your Life

Sat, 06 Apr 2019 07:00:00 GMT

You may rarely think about your birth certificate, let alone know what a birth certificate is used for. For some, however, birth certificate information has revealed some life-changing surprises. Here are 7 instances where people’s lives were significantly impacted by the information they found on this document.

1. Your Actual Age

Imagine finding out you are older or younger than you thought. This is another major surprise that many have discovered by looking at certified birth certificate information. This information has definitely changed lives, as it has affected the ability of some to enroll in higher education or social security.

2. Your First Name

Finding out that you don’t have an official first name can be a surprising discovery. Many baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 weren’t given official first names, simply because their parents didn’t complete official paperwork before leaving the hospital.

Given the fact that new parents may have been feeling overwhelmed by this big change in their own lives, it wouldn’t be surprising that this paperwork was neglected.

3. Your Mother’s Name

Many adult children’s lives have been changed by what information is on a birth certificate. The original document may have listed the name of the birth mother, which, in some cases, may not have been changed by the adoptive parents.

4. Your Father’s Name

Seeing another name besides your father’s on the birth certificate can be surprising, as can not seeing a father’s name at all. There can be many reasons for this, including the circumstances of your mother’s relationship with your father at the time the birth certificate was issued.

5. Incorrect Spelling

Some have discovered from looking at their birth certificate that their name isn’t the same as they may have been spelling it for years. This can lead to many questions about why their name was listed in this way and confusion about which is correct.

6. Different Birth Date

Learning that you were born on a completely different month or day than you thought can be a definite shock. This life-changing discovery has been made by many who accidentally found their original birth certificate.

7. You Have a Twin

There’s no doubt that finding out you have a twin sibling can have a significant impact on one’s life. The circumstances of the mother at the time of birth may have made it impossible to support two babies, and the adoption of one may have seemed like the only option.

Eliminate Surprises by Getting Your Birth Certificate

Other than allowing you to get other forms of ID and various services, what is a birth certificate used for? This document can reveal many truths about not only where and when you were born, but what your parents’ names are.

Knowing what information is on your birth certificate today can help you avoid many difficulties and delays. FastBirthCertificates can get you a birth certificate copy in 3 easy steps. Visit our site to learn more.

How to Safely and Securely Order Your Birth Certificate Online and Keep Your Information Private!

Sat, 16 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT

It’s an unfortunate fact; ordering anything online today comes with the very real possibility that your personal information could be stolen and resold for profit. As a result, you may be about to order a birth certificate replacement but may wonder “Is it safe to order a birth certificate online?” The good news is that you don’t have to wait in endless lines to ensure the security of your personal information; there are many ways to ensure your privacy when ordering online.

Update Your Computer’s Security

When was the last time you updated virus and malware definitions and did a scan for these on your computer? If you can’t remember, then your computer might have some information-stealing bugs that you don’t even know about. Before you go online to order a birth certificate, make sure that you’ve updated your security software and have eliminated any malicious programs or viruses that it found.

Choose a Trusted Vendor

Now that your computer is clean, it’s time to make sure that the company you’re choosing to order your birth certificate online from can be trusted to keep your information. Trusted vendors should have a secure website address and merchant verification, use SSL encryption on their site, and have verified Trustpilot reviews, as well as accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Make Sure They Issue Official Copies

Where it comes to how to get a birth certificate copy, not just any copy will do. It has to be an official copy, which means it was requested directly from the government. An official copy is the only type of birth certificate that will be considered to be a valid form of identification, so it’s critical to ensure the company you choose offers these so that you don’t waste your time and money. A company that issues official copies will understand the need for privacy and security.

Read Up on Their Privacy Policy

Although it may be a boring read, a company’s privacy policy will reveal much about what they do with your personal information. If a company is serious about your birth certificate security, they should make statements about not selling your information or at least provide a detailed and reasonable explanation about why they do.

Take Reviews with a Grain of Salt

That large company you’re planning to order your birth certificate from may have a slew of positive reviews, but are they genuine? A commonly used tactic by many businesses is to minimize their negative reviews by paying individuals to write positive ones. If a company is willing to invest in fake reviews, it may also be untruthful about the level of ordering security it claims to offer you.

We Care About Your Online Privacy

FastBirthCertificates is dedicated to the safety of your personal information. Not only are we the only business in the industry that is accredited by the BBB, but we’re also a trusted vendor. Discover why thousands love our simple, secure, 5-minute ordering process. Place your order with FastBirthCertificates today.

How Do the Amish Get a Birth Certificate Copy?

Sat, 09 Mar 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Part of Amish tradition is to have babies born in the community at home. This, combined with the belief that official documents like social security cards and birth certificates are unnecessary can mean that some Amish children are not issued these forms of identification. Whether no birth certificate was issued or one was, this post will explain how the Amish can get a birth certificate in PA.

If You Were Never Issued a Birth Certificate

In the U.S., attending midwives and doctors must complete and file birth certificate paperwork. However, this may not have occurred when you were born. If this is the case, you will need to request a search. This can be done by first completing and submitting an Amish birth certificate application to Pennsylvania’s Vital Statistics office, along with a non-refundable fee.

Once a records search has been completed, and it has been confirmed that you were not issued a birth certificate, a letter will be sent to you stating this, along with a birth certificate form. You will need to complete this form, as well as provide the required number of the following documents to prove your identity:

An Amish directory which displays your own and your family’s name
A certificate of baptism
A letter from a family member, employer, or government agency
A marriage license

Once the Vital Statistics office has received copies of the above information and your completed forms, they then may issue you a birth record in six months to one year from the date you filed.

If You Were Issued a Birth Certificate

If a birth certificate application was completed and filed after you were born and you need a certified birth certificate copy, you can prove your identity with a driver’s license and/or an ID card issued by the state. Without these documents, you can still prove your identity with a copy of one or more of the following:

School or medical records
Lease agreement
A letter from a government agency
A letter from a family member that explains who you are and why you want a birth certificate

To make sure that you’re submitting the correct items, contact the PA Vital Statistics office to confirm.

Leaving the Amish Community

Those leaving the Amish community must apply for a social security number in order to be legally employed, pay taxes, and file for social security if disabled or ready for retirement. This will also require them to have birth certificates. In order to do this, you will need to contact your birth state to inform them of your birth. Then it may be necessary to get in touch with those who were present at your birth and obtain and submit copies of their signed affidavits.

Get Your Birth Certificate Copy, Fast

If you are Amish with no birth certificate or need a copy fast, don’t wait. FastBirthCertificates can help with a completely legitimate process that’s BBB-accredited. Visit us to learn how to get your birth certificate in 3 simple steps.