ByHow to Get Onondaga County Birth Certificates
A notarized birth certificate is likely the first document that any citizen born in the United States obtains. It is issued at birth, requires parental participation, and is considered part of a state's vital statistics. Since it is the oldest form the government gives an individual, it is often the more frequently lost document. It may be tricky to navigate the bureaucratic process to retrieve new , but DoNotPay has a shortcut and expedient process for requesting one.
While this guide pertains to Onondaga County birth certificates in New York state, DoNotPay has outlined everything about birth certificates in the United States elsewhere, ranging from where to find them online to how to get them quickly. Many people aren't looking to simply learn about birth certificates for newborns and, instead, are searching for:
Lastly, DoNotPay has an entire section dedicated to getting one sent out in conjunction with getting a passport. Government documents aren't always easy to locate, with many government buildings still closed due to the Coronavirus, but DoNotPay has figured out how to bypass the red tape.
Understanding Authorized and Informational Onondaga County Birth Certificate Copies
Most Americans are surprised to know that there are two main types of birth certificates. The type of birth certificate depends on a few different factors, but the two main categories are authorized and informational copies. Lastly, when considering birth certificates and obtaining new ones, this will often involve a copy of a birth certificate and not the original document. The table below illustrates the differences between the two types of birth certificates:
- Authorized birth certificate copy
- This is considered a form of government-issued identification.
- An authorized birth certificate is limited to who can request a copy due to the risk of identity theft since it is a form of identification.
- Authorized birth certificate copies are used to later receive a driving license, state records (marriage licenses, etc.), and passports, so this is the most official document available and used within the system. These documents are called vital records and are issued by a state's Vital Records Department.
- Birth certificates are state-issued, so an authorized copy will also have an official state seal.
- These do not typically need to be notarized since they were already notarized at birth.
- However, should an authorized copy require notarization again, it is for notaries to sign off on them per request.
- Informational birth certificate copy
- An informational birth certificate is not the same as a certified copy of a birth certificate and is less official.
- These documents aren't typically considered means of establishing one's identity, birth date, place of birth, etc.
- Informational copies of birth certificates cannot be used to acquire forms of identification.
- Informational birth certificates may have some personal data, including state symbols, but are not considered authorized and certified copies.
- Onondaga County's informational birth records will tend to be stamped as "Informational Copy" to distinguish them from official copies.
- While it's impossible to use informational copies as official forms to establish identity, many can request these from the Civic Center. Syracuse, NY birth certificates that are informational copies are often requested for genealogical purposes.
- In short, informational birth certificates are less official, may not have the original notary stamps, and are less likely to be accepted as valid forms of identification.
Who Can Get a Birth Certificate Copy in Onondaga County, New York?
are accessible to individuals requesting their documents, immediate family, guardians, and those with Power of Attorney. In some cases, government officials can also access copies of these documents. Only those with official reasons or close proximity to the person involved will be allowed certified copies.
How to Obtain an Informational Certificate
If one is not the individual in question or any of the aforementioned parties, they must request an informational birth certificate rather than a certified copy. The informational certificate will provide similar information but will maintain the individual's privacy. For questions, contact the Onondaga County Bureau of Vital Statistics at (315)435-3241.
How Much Do Birth Certificate Copies Cost in Onondaga County, New York?
To get Onondaga County Birth Records, the fee is $30.00 for a single copy. If more than one is needed, it is an additional $15 per copy. If you have requested copies online, it is $53.00 for a copy.
How Long Does It Take To Get a Copy of a Birth Certificate in Onondaga County, New York?
Birth records (Syracuse, NY issued) will take a different amount of time to arrive, depending on the requested document.
Here are current estimates on processing times:
| Cost | Processing Time | |
| Online | $53.00 (there is an $8.00 processing fee and the $45.00 charge) and can cost $15.50 more if you need it sent overnight via UPS. | 5-10 business days and then standard shipping (unless you have paid for overnight fees). |
| $30.00 for a single copy. If more than one is needed, it is an additional $15 per copy. | 2-4 weeks from when they receive the request if the Processing Center has also included return shipping labels for overnight processing back to the recipient.
If the person making the request did not do this, it goes through the mail with a typical shipping schedule. The regular requests without extra handling costs will take 10-12 weeks. |
If you need the document quickly, requesting it online is the most efficient way. Following that, then a request by mail with priority handling and including return shipping labels will make the process happen as soon as possible.
Receive Onondaga County Birth Certificate Copies Speedily With DoNotPay
Based on what's been described, it can be an annoyance to request a copy of one's official birth certificate. There's a lot to consider regarding who may request it, how quickly it should be processed, what information to include, and how to handle their Vital Records Processing Center. An easy way to avoid this is to request copies using DoNotPay.
Here's how to use DoNotPay to get a copy:
- Go to the Birth Certificates product on DoNotPay.
- Select who the certificate is for (you or a loved one). If you are requesting a copy of someone else's certificate, enter their personal details, and upload evidence that proves your relationship.
- Enter the location you or your loved one was born in, so we can complete the form specific to your state.
- Enter the name(s) of the parent(s) as displayed on the certificate.
- Indicate what you will be using this certificate for, and choose whether you need an authorized or certified copy.
- Enter your contact information and shipping address. Upload copies of your government-issued identification, such as a driver's license.
- Choose whether you would like to electronically sign this form or not. Once we generate the form, verify that all information is correct.
- If you need the document to be notarized, schedule a notarization appointment using our Notary product. Otherwise, proceed to our Mail Checks product and let DoNotPay mail-in your request form with a check on your behalf.
