Which Birth Certificate Should You Get? Short vs Long Form Birth Certificate

There are two types of birth certificates that you can choose from. The long form birth certificate and the short form certificate. Both have their own purpose, uses, and requirements.

Nobody wants to waste time and money applying for a document they do not need or cannot use. That is why in this post, you will learn about the different types of birth certificates and how to use them in the U.S.

The Difference between Long and Short Form Birth Certificates

If you are an American citizen, you may have been asked for your birth certificate in the past to complete bureaucratic processes.

A birth certificate is a proof of birth issued by the government or other authorized entity. However, not all birth certificates are the same — the main difference between long form and short form birth certificates is the information they include and, therefore, the use(s) you can make of them.

• A long form birth certificate includes all the legal information regarding the birth that is being registered. For example, the full names, occupation, and nationality of the parents, the facility where the birth occurred as well as the signature of the attending physician or midwife.
• A short form birth certificate (also known as abstract) only covers the main information such as the name of the holder, and the date and general location where the birth occurred. It cannot be used for most legal purposes.

Which Birth Certificate Should You Get?

This depends on a few factors, such as:

• The use(s) you want to make of your birth certificate
• The rules applying to your state and the state that issued the certificate

Both forms of birth certificate are official documents that can be used to prove the identity of its holder. However, depending on the state, short form birth certificates may be considered as ‘receipts’ confirming that an individual’s birth certificate was issued. For some entities like government bodies and banks, this is insufficient proof for most procedures and a long form is required instead.

Why Long Form Birth Certificates Are Preferred

Long form birth certificates (also called official or certified birth certificates) are used to prove the identity and nationality of individuals who were born in the United States.

They are also the only version of the document that can be used for all relevant legal purposes in all states.

The majority of applicants request their own birth certificate because they need to complete a bureaucratic process in the U.S. For example, they need to obtain their passport to travel abroad or wish to adopt a child.

Although some states allow you to complete official applications (like a passport request) with a short form birth certificate, others only accept the long form document. Texas residents, for example, must present a certified long copy of their birth certificate to get their passport, driver’s license, and dual citizenship.

Most people prefer to keep the long form of their birth certificate at hand because it covers a greater number of uses. Basically, they think it is best to apply and pay the application fee only once and get the most out of it — can you blame them?

What can you do with a short form birth certificate?

If you happen to have a short copy of your birth certificate, double check whether you can use it before requesting a different one. Simply contact the entity asking you to provide the certificate and find out which one will be necessary.

As mentioned, rules change on a state basis. However, here are some examples of short form birth certificate uses:

• Enrolling in school
• Sports registration
• Employment requirements
• Insurance requirements

The above does not mean that you can never use a short form birth certificate to get your driver’s license, social security number, passport, or other legal documents. Again, you should check with your state government body to find out what rules apply to you.

Where Can You Get a Long Form Birth Certificate?

Birth certificates are issued by the relevant state Department of Health, office of Vital Records. They can be applied for in-person or online.

To request your birth certificate, you will have to fill out an application form, provide documents proving your identity, and pay an application fee.

Many applicants decide to use services like US Birth Certificates to request their documents online so that they can receive the birth certificate in the mail without having to make an appointment and leave the house.