Birth Certificate
Your baby's birth certificate is an official proof of your baby's
date of birth and citizenship. The birth certificate is required
to start school, to obtain a driver's license, or to apply for
a passport. It may also be needed to prove the right to vote, marry,
secure Social Security benefits, and even to inherit property.
The staff at the hospital where your baby is born routinely register
the birth with the local health department or registrar of births.
If you have a home birth, be sure someone is responsible for registering
the
birth.
You will be filling out a birth certificate form, turning it over
to our birth certificate personnel, and then you will be shown
a typed copy of the information you provided on the form. You will
then review this typed form for any corrections or additions that
need to be made. You will receive proof of birth via a birth verification
form that may be used for insurance purposes.
The birth certificate will be ready to be picked up in approximately
four weeks at the Washtenaw County clerk office (734-222-6720)
located on the corner of Ann Street and Main Street. The cost for
the first copy is $15.00 and $5.00 for each additional copy ordered
at the same time at the clerk's office.
Social Security
The hospital will be sending your birth certificate to
Lansing, Michigan, and then it will be forwarded to Social Security.
In 3-6 months, a number will be issued and mailed to you. This
service is available from January to August of each year. HOWEVER,
during the months of September through December, you will need
to go to a local Social Security office to file for a number. You
will need to bring your infant's birth certificate and immunization
card.
Paternity Information
For an affidavit of paternity to be issued, both the mother and
father of the baby need to provide the birth certificate personnel
with a copy of a current valid driver's license or a state issued
picture ID card. After this is provided, our birth certificate
personnel will notarize your birth certificate.
If DNA testing is desired, the affidavit of paternity cannot be
completed during your hospitalization. You will need to contact
a DNA diagnostics center outside of the hospital that provides
this service. You can call 1-800-DNA-CENTER for further information
on paternity testing and costs involved.
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Information provided by UMHS perinatal education committee March,
2005
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