What is the difference between a birth certificate and a certificate of live birth?
For a short video on the differences, see here.
If you are a parent or a guardian of a newborn baby, you may be wondering what is the difference between a birth certificate and a certificate of live birth. These two documents may sound similar, but they have different purposes and functions. In this article, we will explain the main differences between them and why you need both of them.
Certificate of Live Birth
A certificate of live birth is the document that hospital staff completes following the delivery of a baby1. It is also known as a hospital birth record or a hospital birth certificate. A certificate of live birth contains various information about the baby and the parents, such as their names, dates of birth, places of birth, and health data2. The parents complete the certificate of live birth, confirmed by a hospital attendant, and then sent to the state’s Office of Vital Statistics or registrar for generation of the official birth certificate1. It is mostly used for data input, though many parents save this document as a memento of their child’s birth1.
Birth Certificate
A birth certificate is an official record of your birth that incorporates information from your live birth certificate1. It is printed on official state letterhead and is certified by the state seal and the registrar’s signature1. A birth certificate usually includes basic information about the baby and the parents, such as their names, dates of birth, places of birth, and doctors who delivered the baby2. Due to the fact that birth certificates are produced by states and are not mandated by the federal government, states may require additional or fewer details to be included2. Even though a birth certificate is incomplete, once issued by the state, it remains a legitimate legal document2.
Certificate of Live Birth vs. Birth Certificate
The main difference between a certificate of live birth and a birth certificate is that a certificate of live birth is not a legal document, while a birth certificate is a legal document12. A certificate of live birth cannot be used for any sort of government issued ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, or social security card2. A birth certificate is required when applying for these IDs or when enrolling in school, getting married, applying for certain jobs, or participating in sports12.
Another difference is that a certificate of live birth is issued by hospitals, while a birth certificate is issued by states12. A certificate of live birth is based on the information provided by the parents and hospital staff at the time of delivery1. A birth certificate is based on the information verified by the state registrar after receiving the certificate of live birth from the hospital1.
A third difference is that a certificate of live birth can be changed or amended, while a birth certificate can only be changed under certain circumstances2. A certificate of live birth can be corrected or updated if there are errors or missing information on it2. A birth certificate can only be changed if there is a court order, adoption, name change, gender change, or paternity acknowledgment2.
Conclusion
A certificate of live birth and a birth certificate are two different documents that serve different purposes. A certificate of live birth is an unofficial record of a baby’s delivery that is used for data entry and sentimental value. A birth certificate is an official record of a baby’s birth that is used for identification and legal purposes. Both documents are important for your child’s life and should be kept in a safe place.
I hope you found this article helpful. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for reading!
1: Revisions of the U.S. Standard Certificates and Reports 2: How to get a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate | USAGov