Certificate of Live Birth: The Record Behind a Birth Certificate
A certificate of live birth is the form used to register a birth with the state vital records system. The birth certificate you request later is generally a copy or summary of that filed record.
What vital record do you need?
Choose your certificate to start your order.
The national standard
The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics works with state vital statistics offices to maintain the U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth. The CDC lists the 2003 revision as the latest version and says it was fully implemented in all states in 2016. States follow the national specifications as closely as possible so data stays consistent from state to state, but each state issues its own certificates.
Certificate of live birth and long form
Some states use the title for the long form copy. Missouri says its long form is titled Certificate of Live Birth and includes extra details such as the time of birth when available. Its short form is titled Birth Certification.
Why the difference matters
When an agency asks for your birth certificate, the title on the page may be Certificate of Live Birth, Birth Certification or something else, depending on the state and year. What usually matters is that the copy is certified by the issuing office. Check the requirements of the agency asking for it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a certificate of live birth the same as a birth certificate?
Often used interchangeably, though the title varies by state. The CDC describes the certificate of live birth as the standard national form for recording births, and the certified copy you order comes from the state.
Who fills out the certificate of live birth?
Practice is set by state law. The CDC page does not detail who completes it, so ask your state vital records office.
Is it the same in every state?
States follow the national standard but issue their own versions, so the look and wording differ.
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.
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