In most forms of government, a birth certificate is an official legal document usually describing

• Name at Birth
• Date of Birth
• Sex (Gender)
• Place of Birth (City, Region, Country)
• Birth Registration Number
• Legal Parent(s)
• Time of Birth (if known)

The certificate is issued shortly after a person's birth, usually after the mother's physician files the required forms with the appropriate government agency.

The official birth certificate is stored at a government record office. The person also holds a copy of their certificate.

In Canada and the United States of America, it is stored with the government of the receiver's state or province. In some American states, the responsibility for such records has been delegated to counties.

In England & Wales, it is stored at Somerset House.

The birth certificate is used to authenticate one's identity and nationality, and assist with obtaining government-issued identity documents, such as a passport or driver's license. Holding a birth certificate makes it easier to prove citizenship in nations where citizenship depends upon location of birth.

See also: Death certificate