Is Notarizing Birth Certificates Obligatory?

iEditorial Note: These blog posts represent the opinion of DoNotPay’s Writers, but each person’s situation and circumstances vary greatly. As a result, you should make sure to do your own independent research. Because everyone is unique, our self-help tools are never guaranteed to help with any specific situation. DoNotPay is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law. DoNotPay provides a platform for legal information and self-help.

Is Notarizing Birth Certificates Necessary?

Obtaining a notary’s signature is a required step in many procedures. By having your documents notarized, you confirm that everything stated in them is true.

Regardless of the reason why you need an enforceable document, you must check all related requirements before you validate it.

In this article, we explain whether notarizing birth certificates is necessary and teach you how to create and have any document notarized in the blink of an eye! I

When Do You Need a Birth Certificate?

A birth certificate is a primary form of identification confirming your full name, age, and other essential information. It’s a part of supporting documentation in many common situations, including:

  1. Getting married
  2. Applying for an ID, passport, or Social Security card
  3. Obtaining a driver’s license
  4. Applying for citizenship
  5. Opening a bank account
  6. Applying for a job
  7. Registering in a school or college
  8. Requesting general and health-related insurance benefits

The original birth certificate mustn’t leave the vital records office. You can only get a certified copy of the document in exchange for a state-specific fee.

How Much Does It Cost To Get a Certified Copy of Your Birth Certificate?

Below is the table showing the approximate price you must pay for a certified copy of a birth certificate in each U.S. state:

StatesFees
  • Kentucky
  • Indiana
  • Wyoming
  • New Mexico
  • Hawaii
  • Florida
  • North Dakota
  • Vermont

$7–$10

  • Arkansas
  • Maryland
  • Montana
  • Oklahoma
  • Kansas
  • Missouri
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • New Hampshire
  • Alabama
  • Louisiana
  • South Dakota
  • South Carolina
$12–$15
  • Idaho
  • Iowa
  • Arizona
  • Colorado
  • Mississippi
  • Nebraska
  • Massachusetts
  • Nevada
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin
$16–$20
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • Ohio
  • North Carolina
  • New Jersey
  • Georgia
  • Delaware
  • California
$21–$25
  • Alaska
  • Connecticut
  • Minnesota
  • New York
$26–$30
  • Michigan
$31–$35

Do You Need To Notarize a Birth Certificate?

Certified copies of birth certificates don’t require notarization. Since the original document is located in a public institution, a copy already has a seal, which means it’s legitimate. What must be notarized in certain U.S. states is a signature on a birth certificate application.

How To Get a Notarized Birth Certificate Application on Your Own

The procedure you must go through before getting a notarized birth certificate request is complicated and requires a lot of time. Here are the steps you have to take:

  1. Choosing a notary—Depending on your needs, you can opt for one of the following notary services:
  2. Booking an appointment with them
  3. Visiting the chosen notary office (or meeting with an official at your preferred location if they provide mobile services)
  4. Having your identity verified with a valid ID, passport, or driver’s license
  5. Having your birth certificate application checked for potential discrepancies
  6. Signing the document in the presence of the notary
  7. Obtaining a notary’s seal and signature

If any of these phases go wrong, you may need to repeat the process and do everything from scratch, which can be stressful and frustrating. Some complications that may arise include:

  • Forgetting an ID when coming to the notary office
  • Failing to complete your application according to state laws
  • Making technical errors while composing a document
  • Waiting for too long to schedule an appointment

Bearing in mind these difficulties, we created an easy solution for you—a virtual lawyer that lets you draft and notarize your documents without leaving your home!

Notarize Any Document With DoNotPay

Whether you want to notarize your contract, diploma, affidavit, or translation, you can do it the easy way with DoNotPay! We developed a system that helps you book a virtual appointment with a notary and notarize your documents from home or any other location! Forget about administrative hurdles and long queues in notary offices—you don’t need to wait ever again with DoNotPay!

Here’s how to use our feature:

  1. from your preferred web browser
  2. Navigate to the Notarize Any Document section
  3. Attach the document you want to notarize
  4. Provide us with your email address

We will use your contact details to send you a link to pick the appointment date. A notary will verify your identity via video call and witness the signing. Once they do it, you can consider your document legally binding!

Another perk we offer is an excellent learning center full of useful notarization-related guides. It answers some of the most common related questions, such as:

Generate and Notarize Documents Using DoNotPay’s Features

Not only can we make your documents enforceable, but we also create them in your stead! If you are struggling with drafting a contract on your own, use DoNotPay’s modifiable templates to simplify the procedure.

To create a document this way, follow these steps:

  1. from your preferred web browser
  2. Look for the desired customizable template
  3. Specify what you want to include in your document—your location, contract duration, etc.

You will get a personalized document ready for signing!

We have linked this feature with our notary service, allowing you to validate your contracts right after drawing them up! Our database currently offers the following document categories:

  • Non-Disclosure Agreement
  • Child Custody Agreement
  • Promissory Note
  • Prenuptial Agreement
  • General Affidavit
  • Independent Contractor Agreement
  • LLC Operating Rules Document
  • Estoppel Certificate
  • Non-Compete Agreement
  • Residential Lease Agreement
  • Child Care Authorization Form
  • Intent To Purchase Real Estate
  • Bill of Sale Document
  • Quitclaim Deed
  • General Business Contract

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