Learn More About Public Birth Records

The public birth records in the country are maintained by the respective states in which an individual is born. A birth certificate is the official birth record. The birth records are sourced from data that is submitted in the form of birth certificates from the hospitals. Birth records are public records and therefore can used for compiling demographic data and also for corroborating historical records.

Filing of Birth Records

The filing of birth records takes place in the office of the local registrar of the respective county in which an individual is born and the information is uploaded on the civic records database. Birth records can be accessed by the individual in question, by the individual’s parents, a legal representative, and a legal guardian of the concerned individual.

A certified copy of a birth record can be obtained from the local Vital Records office. It is an authentic document bearing the signature and official seal of the state registrar. These records are indispensable and are necessary for obtaining licenses and identification documents such as passport and drivers license. You may also access an uncertified copy but it will not serve your purpose.

Availability of Birth Records in Different States

Different states have their own rules as far as accessibility to birth records are concerned. Public birth records available in most states are uncertified copies of the records. For instance, in the state of New York, the New York State Department of Health does not maintain the records of birth. Babies born in the boroughs of Staten Island, Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens and Kings have their birth records listed with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Individuals who are born outside the boundaries of New York City can access of a copy of their birth certificate department of Genealogy.

People who can access a copy of the birth certificate include the one who is named on the record, parents of the individual whose name is on the birth records and an individual who has been authorized by a New York State Court order. The charges for obtaining a birth certificate are $30 for a copy.

In the State of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Public Health maintains the birth records. The Department has maintained the records since 1916. If the individual is born in Illinois and wants a copy of the birth record, then it may be sought from different state agencies. The documents may also be with the circuit clerks, the county clerks and the Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records.

Birth records in Illinois are, however, not public and people who are entitled to receive a copy of the records include the subject of the record who is 18 years and above, the parent of the subject of the record and the legal guardian of the subject of the record upon submission of adequate proof. If you wish to receive an uncertified copy of the birth records, then these can be obtained from the Genealogical department of the state.

The availability of public birth records varies from one state to another and therefore you should check your respective state statutes.