Everyone born in the United States should be issued a birth certificate. If you do not have a copy of yours, or need to obtain one for your baby, read this guide to learn how to get a birth certificate.

It is important to always have a certified and official birth certificate on hand for yourself and your children. You will often need to verify your birth status for a new job, school, entrance into upper education, children sports leagues and other needs.

Birth certificates are useful for getting identification items such as passports and driver's licenses. All citizens of the country should have one in case they need to prove their identity. If you are expecting a child, you will want to get a birth certificate for the newborn as soon as possible.

When you deliver a baby at a hospital, you will be given certification paperwork. However, this is not the baby's actual birth certificate. The hospital will send information to the Vital Records department of your state, and it is up to you to contact that office, pay a fee, and apply for the certificate. Here's the info you will need:

1. Date of birth
2. Names of parents
3. Baby's name
4. Proof of relation (may be provided by the hospital)
5. Photo identification for parent

If you have lost your birth certificate, contact the office of Vital Statistics or Vital Records in the state you were born in. You may show up in person if you still reside in that state (the fastest method), or you can find out the mailing address and mail a written request. Whichever you choose to do, it is a good idea to call first to find out exactly what you will need and how much the fee is.