subject: Reasons to Search for Birth Records [print this page] Reasons to Search for Birth Records Reasons to Search for Birth Records
There are many reasons that you may need to search for birth records. Births are a matter of public knowledge, so you can search for the records of anyone's birth. Many people have to search birth records because they have lost their own birth certificate, because they need their child's, they want to learn more about their parents or their grandparents, they are putting together a family tree, or just because they want to know more about someone. Others like to search these records because they are doing a complete background check on someone new in the neighborhood, a coworker, or the parents of their child's new friends.
There are dozens of websites that will serve as the middle man and will search through the records of every state, city, and county to find the record that you are looking for. These can be especially helpful if you aren't sure of a specific city or county in a state but know that the birth took place in a specific state. There is usually a fee associated with searching for the records in this manner, but usually it is not unbearable.
You can also choose to search with your local registrar if you know that the birth took place in your local area. Most counties have their registrar information online so that the process of ordering birth records is as simple as possible and you don't even have to leave home if you don't want to. You simply input the birth record that you need and pay a fee and you can either get an electronic copy or a hard copy will be mailed directly to you. Some states or counties no longer offer walk in offices where you can pick up birth records because the online process is so much more convenient.
