The government of each state in this country keeps public birth records, such as a birth certificate or other documentation of a person's birth. These records are typically based on the information submitted by hospitals. As with all other vital records maintained under government authority, birth records fall under the jurisdiction of the state. Such records are managed by municipal offices.

Birth records are among the most searched public records. In addition to being a valuable resource for anyone researching their family history or working on genealogy projects, it is also one of the best places to begin an adoption investigation. The best way to find proof of someone's age is to view his or her birth records. You can also use birth records to identify a person's parents.

Birth records do more than validate a specific person's birth. Birth records contain a host of valuable information that may be necessary for important things, such as going to college, studying abroad, applying for a job and a number of other situations, such as obtaining your driver's license or applying for a passport. A birth certificate serves as a legal document that is recognized anywhere.

You have a number of different options for getting your hands on the birth records that you need. Usually, a small fee is required to obtain certified copies of birth records. In addition, not all birth records will be obtainable.

Several countries began keeping birth records in the beginning of the twentieth century. Sometimes, if you are aware of the location and time of birth, you may be able to locate church registers noting a baptism, which is just one way you can use the information obtained through birth records to dig even deeper into your search for important information.

Perhaps the easiest way to find the birth records that you need is to simply call or pay a visit to the county clerk's office in the region where the birth took place. In fact, often times it is possible to place your order for birth records through their website or even over the telephone.

International birth records can be somewhat more difficult to obtain. First things first, you need to know when the country in question actually began keeping birth records for their citizens. In addition, you will also need to research possible disruptions in that country that may have led to the destruction of some records.

Keep in mind that you may not be able to take your search for birth records back as far as necessary to find the information that you need from some countries. Also, you need to be aware that the fees for using a service to track down the records for you can be quite steep.

When looking for birth records, especially those of your relatives for an ongoing genealogy project, the best place to start your search is often with family members. You may find that someone close to you has the exact information that you need because such records are often saved and passed down through the generations.