can I use a copy of my birth certificate. I lost my original

[Deborah McAdams]

I lost my original birth certificate and also lost my passport.  Can I use a copy of my birth certifcate

[KJones]

You can't use a photo copy, but you can use a duplicate copy from whatever agency issues it in your county/state. Just make sure its the 'long form' version.

 

[wordell1]

Nope, you need a certified copy with raised seal.

[Pooch]

Does not have to be the original but must be a certified copy.  My husband’s original is getting very fragile and I never use it for anything.  I have a certified copy.

[Atlantix2000]

8 hours ago, Deborah McAdams said:

I lost my original birth certificate and also lost my passport.  Can I use a copy of my birth certificate

Depends on what you mean by "copy".  There's no legal difference between the the first issued birth certificate and any subsequently issued birth certificates.  As long as it has the raised seal or whatever else makes it legal in your state/country/etc, then it is a legal birth certificate.  These are called copies of your birth certificate (including that first one).

However, if you put a legal copy of your birth certificate on a copy machine (xerox or other scanner/printer device) and make a "copy", then no, that is NOT a legal copy.

It's unfortunate that we use the word "copy" in both situations but I'm not aware of a better word.

[smokeybandit]

It just has to be a gov't issued version of the document, either the original or duplicate copy.

Just not a photo/scanned copy of the one you lost.

[TXcruzer]

19 hours ago, Atlantix2000 said:

Depends on what you mean by "copy".  There's no legal difference between the the first issued birth certificate and any subsequently issued birth certificates.  As long as it has the raised seal or whatever else makes it legal in your state/country/etc, then it is a legal birth certificate.  These are called copies of your birth certificate (including that first one).

However, if you put a legal copy of your birth certificate on a copy machine (xerox or other scanner/printer device) and make a "copy", then no, that is NOT a legal copy.

It's unfortunate that we use the word "copy" in both situations but I'm not aware of a better word.

 

21 hours ago, wordell1 said:

Nope, you need a certified copy with raised seal.

"raised seal" is not a requirement, many agencies no longer issue these, other fraud prevention technologies have taken over

[bobroo]

I think there are two problems here. One is an adult that does not have a birth certificate. The other is that there is a lost passport that needs to be reported and replaced. 

Myself, I would start with the passport issues. 

[Raven]

Order a certified copy ASAP from the county registrar where you were born. 

[Bowen]

My mom was able to board with a picture of her birth certificate on a closed loop cruise. Like a picture on her phone.

[Pattycruise]

1 hour ago, Bowen said:

My mom was able to board with a picture of her birth certificate on a closed loop cruise. Like a picture on her phone.

I’ve read if people boarding with a pic of their birth certificate.  I believe this just happened on my current cruise.  Someone got to port without their birth certificate and had someone send a copy to them via phone. Not something I’d want to try though

[Bowen]

22 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

I’ve read if people boarding with a pic of their birth certificate.  I believe this just happened on my current cruise.  Someone got to port without their birth certificate and had someone send a copy to them via phone. Not something I’d want to try though

Nope, we were sweating bullets.