Which birth certificate is acceptable?
- USCIS will only accept a long-form birth certificate which lists at least one parent. For each country, the U.S. government has specific guidelines on what types of birth certificates are acceptable. The requirements vary widely, not just by country but also by the region or province.
What does an authentic birth certificate look like?
A certified copy of a birth certificate issued by the Local Vital Records Office will have a raised seal, will show the signature of the Local Registrar, and will be printed on security paper.
What does it mean by original birth certificate?
An original birth certificate, frequently shortened to “OBC,” is a government-issued vital record that contains the basic facts of a registrant’s birth, including the date of birth, the city or county of birth, and the name of any acknowledged birthparents (the “registrant” is the person whose birth is being “
What is the difference between an original birth certificate and a certified copy?
The number one difference between official and informational birth certificate copies is a registrar’s seal. The type of seal used varies by states, but will be proof that the birth certificate is a government issued, certified document. The seal might be raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored.
Is my birth certificate real?
If you are not sure if your certificate is an official one, look for a government seal on them. It might be raised, into the paper as well as a signature of the state, county or city registrar on it.
Is a certified copy as good as the original?
A certified copy doesn’t have to be endorsed by whoever issued the original document. A certified copy doesn’t certify that the original document is genuine or legally valid — only that it’s a true copy of the original (so in theory anyone could certify something as a copy).
Is a certified copy an original?
A certified copy issued by the official document custodian (for example, a certified copy of a marriage record, issued by a county clerk) is not an original document – it is a copy. Make or witness the making of a certified/attested photocopy only when you are presented with a true original document.
Why does my birth certificate look different?
The state-issued birth certificate document typically looks very different from the Standard Certificate of Live Birth form. It is usually more formal-looking, printed on thicker paper with the issuing state, county, or municipality’s name and seal clearly visible.