If you were born in the United States, request a certified birth certificate copy from the vital records office in the state or territory where you were born. That is the starting point in USAGov's birth-certificate guide[1], even if you now live elsewhere. You will need to know your birth city and county.
Ask the office how to order online, by mail or in person, what each certified copy costs, and how to get a copy quickly if you need one soon. Check its fees and timing before choosing an ordering method.
If you lost all your identification
Tell the birth state's vital records office that you have no other IDs and ask what it requires. USAGov says most states offer another way to verify identity. Its examples include:
- Your sworn statement of identity.
- A notarized letter and a copy of the photo ID from the mother or father listed on your birth certificate.
Check which alternative your state accepts before arranging documents. These examples do not establish that every state accepts the same paperwork. If you cannot obtain a birth certificate copy, USAGov suggests trying to replace your driver's license first.
If you are a U.S. citizen born abroad
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or CRBA, serves the same purpose as a U.S. birth certificate. The U.S. embassy or consulate in your birth country issued one if your parents reported the birth to it. USAGov's guide points to a separate CRBA replacement process; use that route if this is the document you need.
