[El Gato]

I thought all birth and death certificates were part of the public record? I have access to my birth certificate, and the death certificates of my parents … as part of public records, with no prohibitions other than a small fee for processing?

That used to be the case, before the days of identity theft on a large scale. I don't think it is any more.

If you look at the procedures for ordering copies, you might think you could just ask for verification, but the first link states the the requirements for verification of existance and of particular information on the certificate are the same as for obtaining a copy.

[doc1019]

In the past two weeks, I have investigated and obtained death certificates for relatives, for genealogical purposes, and it cost but a small fee. Several months ago I did the same for a birth certificate (person still living). The questions asked were simple and easy to answer. I tried this with Obama … come up with “name unknown”?