A birth certificate is a legal record of a person’s birth. It is typically issued by the government agency within the jurisdiction that has authority to register births. The term “birth certificate” is commonly used, but is not strictly correct, as most countries also issue a document known as an “official copy” or an “extract” of their birth records.
In most countries, the issuing government department keeps a central registry of birth certificates (or copies), and does not give out copies of the registry to individuals. In some cases, however, a person may apply for an official copy of their own birth certificate by submitting evidence that they are who they say they are.
Because many jurisdictions do not allow for real-time issuance of birth certificates, there are often backlogs in processing applications for such documents. Some jurisdictions require application processing times to be posted on websites so that applicants can plan ahead for obtaining travel visas and other reasons.
In many jurisdictions, birth certificates are issued by a state or local government agency. In other cases, however, the issuing authority is a non-governmental entity such as a hospital or medical clinic.
In the United States, birth certificates are issued by state and local governments. In most states, births must be registered with a hospital or other health care provider within a certain period of time after the child is born.
What If I Need My Birth Certificate in Texas?
If you are a resident of Texas and need your birth certificate, you can obtain one from the State Vital Statistics Unit. If you were born in Texas and have never applied for a certified copy of your birth certificate before, you will need to provide proof of identity (such as an ID card), proof of citizenship (such as a passport) and proof of residency (such as a utility bill).
If you are in a hurry and need your birth certificate fast, there are Texas birth certificate same day services that you can use. These services are available in most cities throughout the state, and they get your birth certificate within just a few hours. You will need to provide all of the same documents as if you were applying in person, but these companies will take care of everything for you. All you need to do is provide your name, address and other information, then sit back and relax while these companies handle the rest of the process on your behalf.
