Vital statistics birth certificate information is always housed in the birth records offices of every county, parish, or borough in the U.S. These offices, also known as birth records offices, literally contain the birth records of every single person born within their jurisdiction, going as far back in history as the pre-1900s. However, records dating anywhere from before 1900 to the 1910's often take a little longer to dig up, as they've been archived as part of the historical record.

Every person is entitled to his or her own vital statistics birth certificate information. However, nobody is allowed to view or obtain the vital statistics birth certificate records of another, unless the person wanting access is the spouse, parent, or designated legal representative of the person in question. These regulations are strictly enforced, and are in place to protect intrusions of personal privacy.

Obtaining Your Vital Statistics Birth Certificate Information

There's no question about it: every single American citizen should have in his or her possession a certified copy of birth certificate. Most adults already have theirs, since it's impossible to get a driver's license or a U.S. passport without a birth certificate. However, if you've misplaced this document, it behooves you to replace it as quickly as possible.

You can go about this task in the traditional way, applying directly to the state vital statistics offices. The other option is to use the convenient new online services that have recently become available through the World Wide Web. These services offer quick and secure transmission of your information, and deal with all aspects of the bureaucratic process so you won't have to.