A birth certificate template is a document normally filled out after the birth of a child. This official document serves as a record of a newborn baby’s birth and also identifies the birth parents. It is usually prepared and issued by the relevant authorities.

What is a birth certificate?

A birth certificate is a vital record issued by a government that documents the birth of a child. It is basically the first legal document that a person receives. A certificate acts as proof of child’s age, citizenship status, and identity. However, this document likes as a small piece of paper but it actually defines who you are and provide an approach to the rights and the responsibilities of citizenship.

A birth certificate is required for registration at many places such as at school, for transport, for a driving license, for employment, to open a bank account, etc.

What is a real birth certificate?

A real birth certificate is a document given by the registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages at the time of a child’s birth. In case of adoption, a new birth certificate is issued that contains the name of the adoptive parents.

What is the importance of a birth certificate?

A birth certificate is an important document that is compulsory to receive various services and benefits offered by the government. It contains the child’s name, gender, date, and place of birth, parent’s name. This certificate gives a child a legal identity.

Moreover, a birth certificate acts as proof of the child’s relationship to his/her parents and that is compulsory for child support services, inheritance, and various benefits.

What to include in a birth certificate?

Your birth certificate includes the following information;

  • Your full name
  • Your place of birth
  • Your date of birth
  • Your mother and father’s complete names
  • The issuing agency’s official seal
  • T registration date of the certificate
  • The certificate’s issue date

How to design a printable birth certificate template?

Consider the following steps to design a printable birth certificate template;

  • First, download a printable birth certificate template online from any website.
  • Next, open the template in your preferred design program. You should select the program that has sufficient tools to edit the template. Ensure that your template should include all the necessary information in the rightful positions.
  • To edit the certificate, stick to the standard rules. For example, keep a balance between the presence of margins around the certificates and some color.
  • Don’t forget to save your work after making all alterations to the document.
  • Additionally, it would be better to store the certificate in an external storage device.

For what a birth certificate is used?

A birth certificate can be used for various reasons. It is used as primary identification because they contain an individual’s date of birth and complete name. When applying for a passport, it is one of the identifications which get accepted. Here are some other reasons for requesting a certified birth certificate;

  • Enroll in school
  • Join the armed forces
  • Obtain a marriage license
  • Get government benefits like welfare assistance
  • Secure insurance benefits

Why should you use a birth certificate template?

States require a birth certificate as an official record of someone’s birth. For some documents, it acts as a specific identification requirement. An individual may not be able to obtain important documents without this certificate. It can be used for a wide variety of important things like;

  • Driver’s license
  • Passport
  • Court proceedings
  • Getting married
  • Securing insurance benefits
  • Receiving veteran’s benefits

How do I create a birth certificate in MS Word?

Below are the steps on how to create a birth certificate in MS Word;

  1. Firstly, open MS Word and select a blank document. Then, go to the template section and search for certificates. From the category, select a certificate that you like the most. If you don’t like any template then click on ‘search online templates’. When you find the best template then click on the download button.
  2. When your template downloaded and loaded into the Word document then review it. Also, there are various things that require editing. The date, weight, name of the owner, age, etc are the most edited fields.
  3. Next, give your own title that you want. You can also change the graphics and background picture and add any picture that you want to insert. You can also use various formats to make your certificate more attractive.
  4. When you have all done with the above steps, save your document, and before going to print it proofread the certificate.

How to apply for a birth certificate?

Let us discuss below how to apply for a birth certificate;

  1. Firstly, go to the registrar’s office and from here receive a birth certificate registration form.
  2. Also, a birth certificate registration form is also provided by a medical officer-in-charge when a child is born.
  3. Within the 21 days of childbirth fill that form.
  4. If you don’t fill the certificate within 21 days of childbirth then the certificate is given after police verification.
  5. When the verification of birth such as child’s name, gender, parent’s name, nursing, etc is completed by the registrar then the certificate is provided to the applicant.
  6. However, you can receive a certificate in 7-14 days after applying.

How to get a copy of my birth certificate?

From the proper government agency, you can receive a certified true copy of your birth certificate template. The proper agency in the US is the Office of vital records. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can obtain the name and business address of your state’s vital records office and the cost of getting an official copy.

Those who were born abroad can refer to the website of the US Department of State in order to get an official copy of their birth certificate. This website can tell them the names of issuing authorities in each country along with the fees and procedures.

Keep in mind that birth certificates aren’t usually accepted that are given by an embassy or a consulate of one’s home country in the US. In such a scenario, the person has to get their birth certificate from the issuing authority in their place of birth.

Faqs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can you change your original name on your birth certificate?

No, you can’t change the original name mentioned on your birth certificate unless you are correcting a mistake on it.

What does happen to the birth certificate of adoptees after the adoption?

The original birth certificate is usually sealed after the finalization of an adoption. A new birth certificate is issued which contains the new name of the adoptee and the parents adopting the child.