Anyone from MA? Birth certificate question

[molly2004]

Hi, there. Okay, this will just come to show what a negligent mom I am

So DH and I drove out to see my sister over the 4th. Since the drive out would take us over by Niagara Falls, I went to pack the boys' birth certificates in case we decided to cross the border. Well, when I was making copies of what I thought were birth certificates, I discovered that they're not! They're just documentation from the hospital with the vital info, but not official birth certificates. It states on there that to obtain copies, I'd have to go to city hall to get them two weeks later...as in after the boys were born. My boys are almost 2 1/2.

Can I still get actual birth certificates? How I could have missed that, I don't know! Must have been the lack of sleep!

Thanks in advance!

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes you can get a birth certificate, you can get one anytime during your life (or your childs).

We just moved from MA to DE and I got some copies before we left of everyones BC's both long and short form.

Just go to town/city hall in the town/city where your children were born (not whre you lived but where the hospital was) to the clerks office and request them. In my case it took about 10 minutes and the cost wa minimual. I can't remember how much but I rememer thinking it was going to be more.

TJ

 

[toystorymom]

It's easy to get birth certificates and you can get them at any time. I just want to add that you may not need to go to the city where they were born, often copies are sent to the town in which you live. My son was born in one of the Boston hospitals but I know my local town hall has his birth certificate. It can't hurt to check locally first, especially if it means avoiding going into Boston! It was less then $10 to get a certified copy, and probably took about 10 minutes. Good luck.

 

[molly2004]

Phew! Thanks!

 

[clori]

you should be able to get it either in the city hall in the city where the baby is born or in the city hall where the mother resided at birth. If you need to go to Boston they are closed one day a week (I think either Monday or Wednesday)and cost $12. Also you have to pay in cash. Also you might want to make sure you get the long form in case you ever need it to apply for a passport etc. Boston only offers longform but some cities/town offer a short form and a long form. My dd was born in a community hospital but that city hall cost more for a birth certificate than my town so prices can vary. If you don't have to I would also avoid Boston. I was there about two weeks ago getting my parents marriage certificate (my mom asked me to) and the line for birth certificates was very long and barely moved.

 

[molly2004]

Thanks again! I checked the town's website. $23 they want! Boston only wants $15 and I can do it by mail. Woohoo! I'll finally have proof that my kids are mine!