Your birth certificate is more than just a record of your birth—it’s a critical document that you’ll need throughout your life for various important purposes. Here are the top 10 reasons why every adult should have a certified copy of their birth certificate.
1. Applying for a U.S. Passport
One of the most common reasons adults need a birth certificate is to apply for a passport. Whether you’re planning an international trip or need a passport for identification purposes, your birth certificate serves as proof of U.S. citizenship.
2. Obtaining REAL ID-Compliant Identification
If you want to fly domestically or enter federal buildings, you’ll need REAL ID-compliant identification. Your birth certificate is a required document when applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.
3. Getting a Social Security Card
If you’ve lost your social security card or need to apply for one, you’ll need to provide your birth certificate along with other documentation.
4. Applying for a Marriage License
Before you can get married, most states require you to provide a birth certificate as proof of identity and age. This is a standard requirement in the marriage license application process.
5. Accessing Birth Records
If you need to access your birth records for genealogical research or other purposes, you’ll typically need to provide a copy of your birth certificate as proof of identity.
6. Updating Marriage Records
If you’ve gotten married and need to update your name with various institutions, you may need to provide a birth certificate along with your marriage license or marriage certificate.
7. Updating Divorce Records
When you go through a divorce, you may need to provide your birth certificate to update your divorce records with government agencies and other institutions.
8. Obtaining Government Benefits
Various government benefit programs require proof of identity and citizenship. Your birth certificate is an essential document for proving both.
9. Enrolling in School or University
Many educational institutions require a birth certificate as part of the enrollment process to verify your identity and age.
10. Legal Documentation and Court Proceedings
In various legal situations, you may need to provide your birth certificate as proof of identity and citizenship.
Conclusion
As you can see, your birth certificate is an incredibly important document that you’ll likely need multiple times throughout your life. It’s essential to keep certified copies in a safe place and to know how to obtain additional copies if needed. If you don’t have a birth certificate, contact your state’s vital records office to request one today.
Ready to order your birth certificate? Visit our birth certificate ordering page for a step-by-step guide to getting a certified copy from any U.S. state.