My Birth Certificate cannot be found , I tried.
Okay, I went above and beyond to help you, mate.
Read this information, and you'll soon have your birth certificate, and be on your way to obtaining more VALID picture ID.
If you know the city (township or county) in the state or territory where you allege to have been born, it is very easy for you to obtain a certified copy of the document.
For example, I need a replacement copy of my DD214 (military discharge certificate).
I filed it with the office of TWO different county clerks in a state that is irrelevant.
I looked up the process to obtain certified copies online.
I wrote a letter to each county clerk requesting certified copies of my DD214.
By the way, in the unnamed state, DD214s are issued FREE of charge to veterans.
I got the requested copies less than a week later, using the USPS (snail mail).
The relevance of my little anecdote is that if i had wanted a certified copy of my birth certificate, the process would have been just as easy, except I would have been required to pay five bucks for each copy.
Now, in some states, your birth certificate is maintained by the state, usually state health department (or another state agency).
The wrinkle is that in the golden olden days of yesteryear, if you were created by a male and female that were NOT married, your record might have to be sought by another agency.
Okay, back to your little dilemma.
Let's say you are in Syracuse, NY.
That is Onondaga County, New York.
Ordering Birth Certificates By Mail
Note: Only the individuals listed on the original birth certificate (mother, father or child) are authorized to request and receive certified copies of a birth certificate. The person (applicant) making the request must be one of the above.
1. Print (
http://www.ongov.net/vital/pdfs/BirthCertificateRequestForm.pdf ) a request form.
2. Complete and sign the form. Please be sure to complete the applicant and mailing address portions. Please list your name at birth at birth and your mother's maiden name – not her married name. Incomplete applications may cause a delay in processing.
3. Include a check or money order payable to the Office of Vital Statistics, or a signed credit card form. We accept Mastercard, Visa and Discover. If the name on the credit card is different than the name of the individual ordering the certificate, a copy of the ID of the cardholder will need to be included. The cardholder will need to sign the credit authorization form. The fee is $30.00 for the first certified copy and $15.00 for each additional copy of the same certificate when ordered at the same time. If you pay by check, you must include your phone number on the check.
4. Include a signed copy of your identification. Examples of acceptable identification are:
Photo driver license with signature
Non-driver photo license with signature
Passport with signature
Military ID with signature
Employer's photo ID with signature
Photo social services card with signature
If the identification you are submitting has your information on the front and your signature on the back, you must send a copy of both sides. Please make sure the copy is readable. Enlarging and lightening the image of your identification on the copier may help.
5. Mail the request to: Office of Vital Statistics, 421 Montgomery Street, Room 20 Basement Civic Center, Syracuse, NY 13202. A certificate will only be issued after a completed request form, a copy of your identification, and payment are received.
Express Mail (2 to 3 day delivery) is available for an additional $20.00. Next business day delivery is available for an additional $25.00. All other orders will be sent by U.S. Mail, and will take approximately 7-10 business days to be processed.
Now, this gets better for you, mate.
Are you ready for it?
Q. I don't have a valid picture ID and I need to obtain a birth certificate. What other forms of ID can I use? Can I use an expired driver's license?
A. An expired license cannot be used for identification.
If you do not have another form of photo ID with signature, you can instead submit copies of 2 forms of signature ID.
This could include your
social security card,
a benefits card,
a sheriff's ID,
even a credit card.
In cases where the signature is on the back you will need to photocopy the front and back.
Another option is to have your signature notarized and submit that document as proof of identification.