Short-Form Birth Certificate

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A short-form birth certificate copy is a condensed version of the original birth certificate and may also be referred to as an informational or abstract copy. It contains less information than a long-form birth certificate, which is an exact copy of the original.

These types of birth certificate copies are legally valid as proof of identity or citizenship. So, you cannot use a short form copy to apply for things like a passport or driver’s license. They are generally used for genealogical research or as keepsakes. See also: Long form vs. short form birth certificate

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