Lost Birth Certificate: Required Action

A lost birth certificate can give rise to a serious issue; this is particularly true if your private information contained in the document falls into a wrong hand. The police may not be able to help you extensively. Therefore, it is your responsibility to act fast in order to avoid being an identity theft victim.

Normally, only two pieces of information is enough to result to big problems. Other most valuable identity documents that someone who has interest in stealing your identity or committing other crimes using your name, will lay hands on include your credit card, social security card, driver’s license and also blank checks.

Unscrupulous persons can fraudulently use your numbers to run up bills or get extra credit cards. Therefore, if you eventually become a victim of lost birth certificate; here are some actions to take in order to fix up things:

• Get in touch with your state department immediately; you can call the department and request for the extension to vital records. Alternatively, you can use their websites, click on your state and then follow the link to birth certificates.

• Make decision on your means of receiving the document; do you want to receive the birth certificate online or through mail? Indicate your choice on the website and click on the corresponding link to continue.

• Carefully fill out the information requested on the application. Such information will usually include your name on record, birth date, place of birth, father’s name, mother’s, mother’s name as well as mother’s maiden name. If your selection is by mail, do not forget to enclose a check for the amount specified – typically between $10 and $20. If you opted to receive the document online, you will have to pay the required fee with a credit card or other means of online payment specified. Be sure that the server is safe before inputting your credit card information.

• Subsequently, mail the application form and check or send the payment as well as the application online. You may have to wait for 2-14 days to receive the certificate via mail. And if you are receiving it vial mail; it will take a far shorter time.

• Finally, it is always a good idea to have a photocopy of your vital documents; your birth certificate is not an exception. When you receive your replaced lost birth certificate, make a photocopy of the document for yourself and safely file it. You can also choose to order multiple copies sending your application for a replacement birth certificate. This will ensure that you will not need to worry if you eventually lose the document again.

The steps above will guide you substantially in obtaining another copy of your lost birth certificate. Vital documents as birth certificates and others should always be securely kept since they can cause serious problems for those who own them in case of loss or theft. But if you happen to lose it; it can always be replaced by following the steps outlined above.

About the Author:

Mark Wheeler is the author of this article on Marriage Certificate. Find more information about Lost Marriage Certificate here.