Free Public Pennsylvania Birth Records

Perhaps the most important record that a person could have a copy of would be copies of his birth certificate because these are some of the most requested for records from said person. Almost anywhere that said person would go, a copy of the birth certificate would be requested for, and this is true if he is applying or a position in a firm or if he is applying to enter a school. A birth certificate is typically made when a person is born and copies of the same are usually provided to the parents of the person, but sometimes, those are lost, hence, the reason why it is important to be aware how to request for copies of birth certificates like Pennsylvania Birth Records.

Different states have different methods for making the request for copies of records, and the state of Pennsylvania would have their own methods. Before one could go about searching for copies of birth certificates or records, one must first be aware of the features of such records. As public records, these records are supposed to be available to the public at all times, and as of the official records of the government, these records are supposed to enjoy the presumption of regularity such that they are presumed to be accurate at all times. Note, however, that the fact of the birth of the person would not prove the fact of his marriage or of his death unless the official records referring to those events would also be presented.

As these records are supposed to be public records, any person may make a valid request for copies of the records and a legitimate reason for making the request is often not required. This means that a person may make a request for the records even if he or she has no reason, though note that because these records are not free, it is usually those who have a legitimate interest in the records who make the request for the copies. The presumption of regularity operates as to exempt the person presenting the records from having to prove that the contents of the records in question are accurate, indeed, the best evidence to prove that the record are accurate would be the records themselves.

Copies of the birth records may be requested from at both the state or national level and the county or local level, and both would have their own inherent set of advantages and disadvantages that the person making the request should be made aware of. At the state level, the method would be to make the request through mail, while at the county level; the procedure would either be to make the request through mail or in person.

Copies of Pennsylvania Birth Certificates may also be availed of and requested online through the use of online databases. Online databases are not official sources, hence, their information are not subject to the presumption of regularity despite the fact that most of their information would be substantially the same as that which may be found in the official archives. They are also faster, more efficient, and cheaper to use.