Original Birth Certificate: What It Means and How to Get a Copy
An original birth certificate is the record first filed with the state or local registrar when a person is born. Copies issued later are reproductions of that record, and the word original can mean different things depending on who is using it.
What vital record do you need?
Choose your certificate to start your order.
Original as a type of copy
Some offices use original as a name for their full-detail copy. Missouri, for example, says its long form is also called an original and is titled Certificate of Live Birth.
Original after changes to the record
When a birth record is corrected, the change is made on the original certificate in the state files, not on a copy. Illinois law says an amended certificate shows the correction on its face and states that it was amended, with the date. Texas says its long form shows the correction history.
Original after adoption
After an adoption, many states seal the original and issue a new certificate. Wisconsin places a seal on the original birth certificate and issues a new one naming the adoptive parents. It says the sealed original can be reached only by court order. Rules vary by state.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the original record itself?
Offices generally issue certified copies of the filed record. Ask the issuing vital records office what it can provide.
Is the original the same as the long form?
In some states, yes. Missouri uses original as another name for its long form. Other states use different labels.
Where is the original kept?
The state or local vital records office keeps the filed record. Contact the issuing office for how to request a copy.
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.
Most popular definitions
- Birth Certificate Number: What It Is and What the Digits Mean
- Adoption Birth Certificate: The New Certificate Issued After Adoption
- Affidavit of Birth: A Sworn Statement Used to Establish a Birth
- Amended Birth Certificate: What It Is and How It Appears
- Apostille: What It Is and When You Need One
- Authentication Certificate: Preparing U.S. Documents for Non-Hague Countries
- Authorized Requester: Who Can Order a Certified Vital Record
- Beneficiary: Who Receives Insurance, Accounts or an Estate
Recent definitions
- Adoption Birth Certificate: The New Certificate Issued After Adoption
- Affidavit of Birth: A Sworn Statement Used to Establish a Birth
- Amended Birth Certificate: What It Is and How It Appears
- Apostille: What It Is and When You Need One
- Authentication Certificate: Preparing U.S. Documents for Non-Hague Countries
Related guides
No.
A long form birth certificate is a certified copy of the full original birth record, while a short form is a…
To order an Oregon birth certificate, you must be eligible under Oregon law, prove who you are, and apply to…
