I want to order my brith certificate from an online service. How do I know if th

Question:I need my birth certificate and I found a whole bunch of websites that you can supposedly order the certificates through. I am wondering if these sites are legitimate, and if they offer real certified copies of the birth certificate.

If they are legitimate, which sites are the best?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I need my birth certificate and I found a whole bunch of websites that you can supposedly order the certificates through. I am wondering if these sites are legitimate, and if they offer real certified copies of the birth certificate.

If they are legitimate, which sites are the best?

Your best bet would be to get your birth certificate from your state's vital records department rather than online, especially if you need one that is certified/notarized. Some online sites may charge you two or three times what it would cost to go through your state capital. Also, there are many places that won't accept a birth certificate unless it IS from a state agency. You would have to supply the date of birth, parents names, city and county, hospital (if known), child's name, and your relationship (if it is for you, you'd put "self"). I just checked on a couple websites, and they charge anywhere from $19.95 to $24.95 and above.

WHY WOULD YOU?!* PLEASE BE CAREFUL. IF THEY ARE NOT LEGIT, THE AMOUNT/TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE TO GET YOUR BC IS ENOUGH FOR SOMEONE TO EASILY COMPROMISE YOUR IDENTITY, SAFETY, AND SECURITY. YOU CAN GET YOUR BC FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF VITAL RECORDS IN THE CITY, AND/OR STATE WHERE YOU WERE BORN.......I'D BE MORE COMFORTABLE IF YOU USED ONE OF THOSE ROUTES INSTEAD. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE USE GREAT CARE WITH THIS PROCESS. BEST WISHES TO YOU!

Are you in the UK.

If you live in the United States you would get a copy of your birth certificate from your county courthouse or State Department of Health. If you ask at your local county courthouse, they will tell you what forms to fill out and what it would cost. Usually the courthouse would have a website also.

Don't go ordering important documents like that from unknown sources. Do a search for the Vital Records dept of your State, i.e., New York Vital Records, and the dept. wesite will come up. Go to it and they'll give you the address (and sometimes the application) you need to contact for your information, along with what the charge will be. That's the safe way to go about it.

only go to your state on line website and order it there.

If you live in the U.S. google what ever state it is with vital records i.e. Florida vital records. It will show you the link. Click on the link and follow the instructions to order your birth certificate.

Be so careful about websites wanting personal info. You don't want to become a victim of identity theft.

In this case only use the state's approved website

If it's YOUR birth certificate, all you have to do is contact the state (county/city in rare instances) where you were born. They will send you one. The state (county/city) website usually tells you exactly where to call or write. And it will be the least expensive and fastest option.

If it ISN'T your birth certificate, you shouldn't be able to get it. If they are promising to get it for you, well, would you trust someone who is breaking the law?

"legitimate" birth cerificates can ONLY be issued by the State you were born in. It is usually called something "(State) Health Department" or "Records".
So, contact your state.

Yes, vitalchek is legitimate (as you already learned).
You already did what was needed, which was to personally contact the department, and hear it from them.
Just another case of outsourcing.