[wideminded]

And for a few bucks anyone can get a copy of my birth certificate.

Maybe if they lie and say that they are you or a very close relative.

[doc1019]

I have gotten birth certificates for several people that were not my relatives while doing research for a paper on genetics. As long as you are willing to pay, the states are willing to give up the information. Birth certificates are public record and therefore are available to anyone.

[Still Thinking]

Maybe if they lie and say that they are you or a very close relative.

Not so. They probably won't give you one certified and in a form usable for establishing identity, but they'll sell you one.