Birth Certificate Number: What It Is and What the Digits Mean
A birth certificate number is the registration number a state assigns when a birth is filed. According to the Social Security Administration, birth certificates issued by the states generally carry an 11-digit number in an xxx xx xxxxxx format.
The number identifies the record, not you as a person. You may be asked for it on forms that verify a birth, and it is separate from your Social Security number.
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What the 11 digits mean
The Social Security Administration explains the format in its internal operating manual:
| Part | Digits | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Birth area code | 3 | A code for the state or area that registered the birth |
| Year | 2 | The year of registration, almost always the year of birth |
| Serial number | 6 | Assigned in order to each birth as it is filed |
For example, the manual lists the area code for Oregon as 136, for Texas as 142 and for Washington as 146. Not every state follows the pattern exactly, so the number on your own certificate is the one that counts.
Where to find it
- Look at the top of the certificate, often near a corner, for a label such as file number, state file number or certificate number.
- Compare it against the format above. A number with 11 digits is likely the state number.
- If your certificate has more than one number, a county or local number may appear alongside the state one.
- If the number is missing or unreadable, ask the issuing vital records office, which can read it from the record.
The Illinois Department of Public Health, for example, lists a state file number among the details printed on its certified birth certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Is the birth certificate number the same as my Social Security number?
No. The birth certificate number identifies the filed birth record. A Social Security number is issued separately by the Social Security Administration.
How many digits is a birth certificate number?
The Social Security Administration says state-issued birth certificates generally include an 11-digit number.
What is a state file number?
It is the number the state vital records office assigns to a birth record when it is registered at the state level, and it appears on the certified copy. Illinois lists it among the details on its certified copy.
Where is the birth certificate number on the certificate?
Look for a labeled field such as file number or certificate number, often near the top. Layouts differ by state and year.
Can I find my birth certificate number online?
We did not find a public lookup. Contact the vital records office for your birth state, which can tell you how to request a copy that shows it.
Sources
US Records is a private company and is not a government agency. Government agencies issue certified records; we help you order them.
Written By
US Records TeamThe US Records Team writes and reviews guides on birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates, using state statutes, agency instructions and court records as sources.