All new babies are registered with a government agency and receive a birth certificate as their first official identity card. In the United States, the procedural aspects of how and where to get a babys birth registered, differs from state to state. The birth certificate is one of the most important pieces of identification verification there is. Therefore it is important to understand how the process works. This is especially true if you are trying to renew your driver's license, for example.

A birth certificate is an important document. Hence, by law, it is not given to any one except the person named on the birth certificate or either of the parents. Most importantly, the document can only be obtained, by a state court order.

The person applying for a birth certificate needs to produce Identity documents such as a valid photo-ID [driver license, residency photo ID, passport or employment ID] and proof of address [utility or telephone bills or letter from a government agency dated written within the last six months].

The fee for obtaining a birth certificate is very nominal. In New York State, the fee is $30.00 a copy. Internet, fax or telephone requests receive priority handling and are processed within one week of receipt. Requests ordered with regular handling sent first class, registered, certified or two-day mail take two to four) weeks of processing time from the date of receipt.

The best source for further information on birth control is the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Its web address is www.plannedparenthood.org.