There are many different forms of birth records available, including a long form, a short form and other less common forms. Each contains different information and is made up of its own format. The form you choose will depend on how you plan on using your birth record.

A long form can also be known as a book copy, a certified photocopy and a Photostat copy. A long form offers an exact picture copy of the original birth certificate that was presented to the parents when their child was born. Information listed on the long form includes the birth date and birth place as well as information about the parents and doctor. The long form will also contain the doctor’s signature as well as the signature of one of the child’s parents. It’s likely that in the future, these long form records will be the primary birth records and will be put in to a database, called an Electronic Birth Registration System, so that they’re easier to access. As a result, hard copies of birth records will most likely turn in to electric versions, which will eliminate the extra fee that is charged when a person wants a long form birth record.

A short form birth record is called a computer certification and is used less often than a long form birth record. Unlike long form birth records, short form birth records are available through the computer and cost less than hard copies. Short form records contain more basic information than long form birth records and are often used by those who need their birth records in a hurry because they’re easy to access.

Lastly, the other forms appear to be just like birth records but are actually not legal. These forms are basically commemorative versions of the birth certificate and include things like the footprints of a baby right after they were born. Though people assume that these forms of birth records count as legal documentation of a child’s birth, they do not.