It doesn’t matter where you go, Illinois is just like any other state, they will not accept a photocopy of any government or state issued IDs. An original Illinois birth certificate is one of main pieces of identification that is accepted with a raised seal. We’ll take a look at what makes a birth certificate original.
A lot of times, people don’t realize that what they are considering to be their official birth certificate is not actually a legal document. The copy that is given to the parents at the hospital, which sometimes has the baby’s footprint on it, is simply for keepsake which is to be cherished; it is not a valid proof of identity. Your original birth certificate remains on file at your local vital records agency; in this case it would be the Illinois Vital Records office. The certificate is then registered by the attending hospital, basically the hospital that you were born at. At the hospital is where your “original” birth record is located. Most people will never see the original version of this document because it is kept under lock and key. This precaution is taken to ensure that your identity is protected. For business purposes, you will want to obtain a certified (raised seal) Illinois birth certificate from the department of public health or your local vital records office of where the birth actually took place; this is also often described as the “official” copy.
What actually makes your birth certificate official?
The biggest thing that makes your certificate official is the registrar’s seal. This type of seal varies from state to state but, it does prove that the birth certificate that you are carrying is a government issued, certified document. These seals can come in different forms. The seal might be embossed, raised, multicolored or impressed. The most important thing is that it will be notarized, signed and dated by the registrar. For any reason, certified copies can be used to prove your identity. If you are applying for passport, or a drivers license among other occasions an official Illinois birth certificate is required.
How can I get my official birth certificate from the state of Illinois?
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