The information recorded on a U.S. birth certificate is fairly standardized and is also similar to most foreign countries that issue official records of births. Here in the United States, there can be two different types of birth certificates parents will receive after the birth of their child: information and certified.

​Congratulations! You’ve just given birth to a child. Now what?
 
In the hours after delivery, you’ll no doubt feel tired, overjoyed, and daunted by the task that lies ahead. Many thoughts will go through your head. What will the first night be like? Do we have everything we need? Is the baby healthy? Will we be good parents? How on earth are we going to manage this? In the confusion, you may forget to register your child’s birth.

As awareness of transgender people has increased over the past decade, the processes to legally change one’s sex on their birth certificate has also changed. Amending the designated sex on a birth certificate is often an important step for a transgender person to ensure it matches their designated sex on other legal documents, driver’s license, and so on.

The adoption process in the United States involves several specific processes and steps. People wanting to adopt have to go through interviews, a home study, and other such procedures to ensure the home would be suitable for a child.

In addition, they have to select an adoption agency for handing the paperwork to finalize the process. People who are not yet ready to become parents must also go through interview processes and find an agency to work with to help find a suitable home for their child.