Thread: More questions about birth certificate

Hi everyone. I'm new here. I have been coming to this site for a while, and I just plucked up the courage to introduce myself and ask a question. I am currently applying for the August 2007 term and have gotten an interview. I know there are multiple threads on the original documents that need to be sent and I have tried using the 'search' feature on this forum. Unfortunately, the threads did not completely answer my question. I read on another thread that you did not have to send the original (picked up after you were born) certificate, but could send a copy. Unfortunately, in California, I think I can only get a certified copy, meaning that it's on official paper, but my original birth certificate is just copied onto the paper. It doesn't even cover a whole 8 1/5 x 11 sheet. Is this enough to send over? I read somewhere that it remains on file in Guadalajara the whole time you are there and I would still need to have an original with me just in case. If anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it. And I apologize for asking this same question.

Effective July 1, 2003, there are two types of certified copies of birth and death records:

1. Certified Copy: This is a regular certified copy identical to those issued prior to July 1, 2003. These will be issued only to authorized individuals as defined by Health and Safety Code 103526 (see list below). A Certified Copy can be used to establish the identity of the person named on the certificate.

If you're requesting a Certified Copy, you MUST also provide a notarized Sworn Statement (see below for more information).

1. Certified Informational Copy: This is also a regular certified copy, but it will have a legend across the face with the statement "INFORMATIONAL, NOT A VALID DOCUMENT TO ESTABLISH IDENTITY." A Certified Informational Copy cannot be used to establish identity. Persons who are not eligible to receive a Certified Copy can receive a Certified Informational Copy.

If you're requesting a Certified Informational Copy, you DO NOT NEED to provide a Sworn Statement.

Both of these documents are certified copies of the original document on file with our office. With the exception of the "legend," they are exactly the same and contain exactly the same information.

you can get as many copies of your birth certificateas as u want, they are like $20 or so. these copies come in two flavors, 1) a copy that becomes an additional original (certified copy), and 2) a copy that only serves as info for minor stuff (informational copy).

my original BC was an 8x10 but my younger brother's is a smaller one. this is how it worked for me: i went to my county clerks office (Indio), got an application for a certified copy of my BC, brought in the required stuff the next day, payed like $20. then they looked me up in their database computer....they couldnt find me so they called the Riverside office, had them send it...took like ten minutes. then they printed it on to that pretty blue/green bordered document. that become my "new original".

i sent San Antonio my fresh orginal, and i kept the old original (still valid). i think imma go make a new one cuz my old one is beat up.

im sure u can request it by mail, but just go to your county clerk, its less hassle and on the spot.

Note: my certified copy looks the same way, as if my original was copied and pasted, but its signed and stamped with the sec of state's seal--> so it does the job.
hope this helps, i had the same worries, but it all has gone well.

i sent san antonio the certified copy, a few weeks later applied for a passport, so i used my old beat up and taped together one.

Thanks for the prompt replies. I actually had one of those certified copies until I sent it in for with my passport application. Looks like I'm going to have to go get a new one. Good thing it only takes about 20 minutes. Thanks again!!!

Originally Posted by Mariposa11

Thanks for the prompt replies. I actually had one of those certified copies until I sent it in for with my passport application. Looks like I'm going to have to go get a new one. Good thing it only takes about 20 minutes. Thanks again!!!

if u dont want to get a new one, u can always wait for your birth certificate to come back when u get your passport. im pretty sure they send our BC back with the passport. anyways, goodluck and see in august.

Just a quick note to remind you and others, to always make copies of things you are sending in the mail here and there- This is really important in case something gets lost-- because things can and will get lost in both the US and in Mexico.

It is important to always have a back-up-- you can never have too many copies or too official of a document!!! A bit of paranoia can be healthy if it means you always have your bases covered and are prepared for whatever comes.

Good luck!