US birth certificates are powerful documents. They are the final word on your birth record: where you were born, to whom, and in what year. They serve as primary, incontrovertible identification. No one but you, your closest of kin, or your legal representative are allowed access to your birth certificate information.
US birth certificates enable travel to foreign countries. They can also help bail you out of trouble within those countries. With the power of a United States citizenship behind you, you may have much more leverage in sticky situations than may others from other parts of the world.
The Utter Necessity of Your US Birth Certificate
United States birth certificates have other, more pragmatic uses at home as well. They make it possible to obtain other valuable forms of identification, such as driver's licenses and non-driver state identification cards. They also can be of help in opening bank accounts and establishing identity in order to perform other financial transactions.
In short, without a US birth certificate, you can end up in a lot of unnecessary trouble. These troubles can range from mild bureaucratic hassles to, God forbid, being stuck in a foreign country, at the mercy of their authorities. It's almost impossible to function in modern society without a copy of birth certificate. If you've lost or misplaced yours, what are you waiting for?
