Birth Certificate

A birth certificate is one of the most important documents in our lives. It records the circumstances of a person’s birth—name, date and place of birth, and, depending on the version, details of the parents. It is required for many official purposes such as marriage, visa applications, or recognition of qualifications. Yet few people know much about its history.

In England and Wales, civil registration of births began only in 1837. Before that, records were kept mainly by churches. Even after registration was introduced, many families neglected it, which means some people born in the 19th century were never officially recorded. In the United States, the system developed differently: each state created its own rules. Some states introduced registration in the late 19th century, while others made it compulsory only in the 20th century, explaining why older American records are sometimes incomplete.

Few people know that two versions of the birth certificate exist. The short form lists only the child’s basic details, while the full form also names the parents and sometimes their occupations. Another common misconception is that a birth certificate is an identity document. In fact, it is not. It proves the facts of birth but cannot replace a passport or ID card.

Because birth certificates are often needed abroad, they usually require a certified translation. As a sworn translator in Germany, I provide translations officially recognized by authorities, courts, and institutions.

Nachtigal Services provides certified and legally valid translations of birth certificates from the UK, US, and other countries. You can order the translation now.