David Thacker
Things happen over the years. You move, you lose documents, or they get destroyed. If you were born in Illinois, however, there may come a time when you need an Illinois birth certificate. This is when it’s necessary for you to get a hard copy. There are a few instances where it may be necessary.
You Want to Get a Passport
If you’re planning on visiting other countries, you’re going to need to send a copy of your
Illinois birth certificate along with your application. Whether you already have a certificate but don’t want to send the original or you have lost yours over the years, you’ll need to work to get the certificate. Otherwise, you cannot get a passport processed.
You Need to Register for School
If you have children who are in school, you might not have a copy of their birth certificate to hand over to the school. Many parents realize that they are missing the certificate right as it’s time to register for Kindergarten, which can lead to a number of problems. The good news is that you can order one quickly. Then, you can present it to the school with any other documents that are required. By having the birth certificate, the school can verify age and ensure that your child gets into the right class.
You’re Getting Married
If you’re planning on tying the knot any time soon, you may have to show your birth certificate as one of the legal documents that are required to get the marriage license. Some states require one of the documents to be a birth certificate while others will accept other forms of ID. Rather than guess at which ones will be accepted, it’s better to have a copy of your birth certificate on hand, just in case.
You Need a Driver’s License
Whether you’re getting a driver’s license for the first time or you’re getting one in a new state, you may have to show your Illinois birth certificate. This will show that you are of legal driving age. It will also show that you were born in the United States. Often, this can be one of the easiest ways to document who you are, especially when you’re working with a government office.
There are all sorts of other reasons as to why you might need to show a birth certificate, too. If you sign up for sports, get a job, open a bank account, or even obtain a loan, you might be required to show your certificate. If you can’t find yours, it might be time to get one ordered. Having one on hand is always better than waiting until someone asks to see it.
