Get copy of my Birth Certificate

[PricklyPete]

Don't know if any of you have had to do this before. I realized that I no longer knew where my Birth Certificate was. It wouldn't be that big a deal except my Girlfriend wants to go to Europe in a couple of months, and I need to the my Passport ASAP. I would imagine it would take several weeks to get my Birth Certificate and several more for my Passport...so I would be really taking my chances there. I did find a site call www.vitalchek.com, that said they can get me my Birth Certificate in 5-7 Business days (from NY). Anyway, I am kinda sketched out about an online company that offers this sort of stuff, so I was wondering if any of you had experience with this company (they seem pretty legit...but who knows these days). If not, do any of you have suggestions about getting my Birth Certificate? I do know that once I get a certified Birth Certificate, I can use a service for getting my passport a whole lot faster, but their fees seem to be generally high and I really want to avoid that if possible.

 

[Yossarian]

Why don't you just start the process the normal way, through city hall?

It doesn't take too long to get a passport, you could do it in a couple days if you had to.

p.s. Welcome to the forums.

 

[pulse8]

From the state of Florida, I know I can get my birth certificate in about 4 days including overnight shipping. It costs like $30 for that, though. Otherwise they send it in 5-7 days and do it by regular mail.

They probably have a web site for this for NY as well.

Edit: Link

 

[RossMAN]

You were born in NY and currently reside in SC, right?

I would try to obtain your birth certificate and passport yourself, pay for expedited service if available. I paid the local US Post Office an extra $60 to get mine processed within 2 weeks, did it Monday had it back in my PO Box by the next Friday 10 business days turn around time.

NY Vital Records

Best of luck and welcome to the forums!

 

[PricklyPete]

Thanks guys...that was a lot of help. It looks like VitalChek is legit if there is a link of the gov site. I talked to the people at the Post Office and they said that the average time it has been taking for a Passport has been 3 1/2 weeks, so I shouldn't have too much of a problem if I get my Birth Certificate in decent time.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
Thanks guys...that was a lot of help. It looks like VitalChek is legit if there is a link of the gov site. I talked to the people at the Post Office and they said that the average time it has been taking for a Passport has been 3 1/2 weeks, so I shouldn't have too much of a problem if I get my Birth Certificate in decent time.

These things sometimes have a way of biting you in the ass if you wait too long. Like if you're not sent an official certified copy of your birth certificate or you didn't check a certain box on the passport application or one of many other BS reasons. The point I'm trying to make is you should start the process of getting your birth cert TODAY.

 

[PricklyPete]

Don't worry...I am.