What is the Long-Form Birth Certificate and Why is it Used?

Birth certificates are essential documents issued to citizens in the United States and are used to apply for benefits and other identification (ID) documents. In the event your birth certificate is lost or damaged, you will be required to obtain a birth certificate replacement. 

The most effective and easiest way to obtain a Texas birth certificate is to complete a form online and have it delivered directly to you. You must pay certain processing fees, including those from the state. During your possible research, you may have noticed the option to choose between a long-form birth certificate or a short-form birth certificate. 

Whichever option you select will be based on why you need the birth certificate in the first place. Both versions can be used in certain situations to establish identity and citizenship. However, the long-form Texas birth certificate is accepted for a wider variety of things. 

What is the Difference Between Short- and Long-Form Birth Certificates?

To begin, it is useful to know the differences between a short-form and long-form birth certificate. A short-form birth certificate is a condensed version of the long-form. It shows the most vital information like current name, date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names, but it does not include information pertaining to any history of corrections or changes. 

Meanwhile, a long-form birth certificate is otherwise referred to as the official birth certificate or full-size birth certificate. It is a copy of the original document but will also show any history of changes or amendments. All legal information can be found on the document. This includes nationality and both parents information, plus the hospital or place of birth. There is also a state vitals file number and registrar list on a long-version birth certificate.

Determining which Texas birth certificate to order online, again, depends on your needs. Both short- and long-form versions can be used to register children for school or sports, to present to employers, and to give to your insurance providers. However, only the long-form birth certificate may be used to obtain a U.S. passport, driver’s license, or dual citizenship. The use of a long-form Texas birth certificate is highly recommended overall, simply because it gives a much more detailed description and history of the individual.

Certificate of Live Birth

Another birth certificate to request is a Certificate of Live birth. This document serves a purpose for data entry and cannot be used as a replacement birth certificate. A Certificate of Live Birth includes the following information:

• Baby’s name
• Parent’s name
• Doctor’s names
• Hospital
• Sex
• Race
• Date of birth
• Name of individual completing the record

When the hospital record is created, the certificate of live birth is sent to the vital records office. From there, it is used to create and issue an official Texas birth certificate. This form verifies that the registrant was born and is alive by medical standards. The standard birth certificate verifies identity.

Visit TX-DPS for a Long-Form Birth Certificate

If you seek to acquire a replacement long-form Texas birth certificate, look no further than TX-DPS. You can easily get a birth certificate by ordering online and have it delivered to you via Priority mail. This way you avoid making a trip to the state vitals office and waiting in long lines. If you need it quickly, there are expedited processing and delivery options. You can also connect with a birth certificate expert who will walk you through the process. When you need a replacement Texas birth certificate, contact us at TX-DPS online or call us at 888-596-7307.