Get the Real Deal

Remember when requesting copies of vital records to get an actual copy of the document, not just a "proof." Genealogists usually need all the information on the original document in the original handwriting. When I got a copy of my daughter's birth certificate, they brought out a typed copy that basically just gave her name, date and place of birth. While it worked for non-genealogy purposes, I want the "real deal" for my records.

My original birth certificate has my mother's signature on it. A transcription won't.