Night Elf Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 I would like to replace a lost social security card and need a birth certificate. I have two. One is just paper and is not notarized. The other is a laminated card saying it's from the New Orleans Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Records. I don't know if either of these would be considered official like the SSN office might require. So I'm looking into getting a copy of my birth certificate from Louisiana. I can pay $9 for for a short-form birth certification card or $15 for a long-form birth certificate. Which would you choose? Would the card be the same as the one I already have do you think? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithr Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Can you call them? Or does it say on line what the difference is? Frankly, I would want both types, just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Usually you need a certified birth certificate. Which usually means it has some kind of seal. The ones here have an embossed seal, but I don't know if that's standard or if other states do some sort of stamped seal. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) if the card is certified (which is possible) it should be all you need. I've used the short form for passports with no problem. the long form is usually not needed, unless you need alot more information. eta: whatever you use needs to be certified. my short-forms were not cards. they were certified computer print outs of the key information of the birth certificates on file at the dept of vital records. Edited December 29, 2015 by gardenmom5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 You need an certified copy of your BC, not a notarized photocopy, and it sounds like you may already have that. Is there an embossed or multicolored seal on the paper one, or is it just a photocopy? Does the card say it is a certified copy? https://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Usually you need a certified birth certificate. Which usually means it has some kind of seal. The ones here have an embossed seal, but I don't know if that's standard or if other states do some sort of stamped seal. What she said. They vary depending on location and era. Mine has a nearly invisible embossed seal and dh's has a signature indicating it's a certified copy. Our kids' birth certificates range from having a gold paper seal to an embossed seal to a signature. The paper copy you have *might* be the same thing you order. Does it have any kind of seal on it or say anything about a certified copy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 I'm not sure specifically for S.S., but I'd go with the certified long-form just to be sure. I needed to apply for a tribal membership card for one of my DC. I mailed in the certified, short form NC birth certificate and it was denied and returned. I had to then order the long form. Once again, I'm not sure about S.S., but it didn't work for my DC's tribal enrollment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted December 29, 2015 Author Share Posted December 29, 2015 No, my paper one is handwritten without a seal. I think it's something the hospital did when I was born. Then the laminated card I have looks official but there is no seal on it. I think when my mom ordered my birth certificate, the card is what they sent her. I'll just request both and see what they look like. I also read on the social security site that a physical card isn't necessary by most places, only the number is important. So I don't know if I need a new one or not. I want to be able to do all of this by mail though. To get my birth certificate, they want a copy of my driver's license. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 I would probably just order the long one. The short one *might* be enough but the long one would surely work. Even if you don't need to replace your SS card, having a certified copy of your birth certificate on hand is a good idea. You never know...you might want a passport one day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Make sure your name is spelled absolutely correctly, not even one letter off, while you are ordering. In fact, triple check all pertinent info. I just discovered on Monday that the DPS will not accept my certified birth certificate as ID proof because one letter of my maiden last name is different on the birth certificate than on my other documents, even though my dad's last name is also on there and spelled correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) Order the long one. DD's short one was rejected for her driver's license, and my short one was not enough for a passport. Many places are not accepting the short one anymore. It's worth it just to get the long one. Order more than one. Edited December 29, 2015 by goldberry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 Go with the long one. Once in a great while someone won't take the card version (for whatever dumb reason). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) No, my paper one is handwritten without a seal. I think it's something the hospital did when I was born. Then the laminated card I have looks official but there is no seal on it. I think when my mom ordered my birth certificate, the card is what they sent her. I'll just request both and see what they look like. I also read on the social security site that a physical card isn't necessary by most places, only the number is important. So I don't know if I need a new one or not. I want to be able to do all of this by mail though. To get my birth certificate, they want a copy of my driver's license. I wouldn't bother with the short form card since that's likely what you already have. I'd get the long form and definitely order a replacement SS card. You need an actual card to open a bank account, get a job, etc. Edited December 29, 2015 by Word Nerd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 If there is an SSA office in your city, call their local phone number. If not, call the toll free national number. I doubt they would accept anything laminated in plastic, but ask them. I believe usually they are looking at special things on the paper, which cannot be seen if the paper is laminated. Possibly they will accept what you have. If you have a valid U.S. Passport they might accept that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) Get the long one. For the price difference, it seems silly to chance not having what you need either now or in the future. Edited December 29, 2015 by Tap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) No, my paper one is handwritten without a seal. I think it's something the hospital did when I was born. Then the laminated card I have looks official but there is no seal on it. I think when my mom ordered my birth certificate, the card is what they sent her. I'll just request both and see what they look like. I also read on the social security site that a physical card isn't necessary by most places, only the number is important. So I don't know if I need a new one or not. I want to be able to do all of this by mail though. To get my birth certificate, they want a copy of my driver's license. the hospital one is considered a souvenier - and it won't do squat. the card - is it possible when your mom ordered a BC, she ordered the card? states will certifiy them (my dad had one - I don't remember if it had the seal but it was certifed. I've got it someplace. I've seen the options for ordering certified cards from vital records) some people would get the card because they could carry it in their wallet. I used the short form for my and my kids passports - and ds just used his short form to get a new SS card. (within the last three months.) he may have also taken his passport - but I don't think he used it. Edited December 29, 2015 by gardenmom5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted December 29, 2015 Share Posted December 29, 2015 <snip> I used the short form for my and my kids passports - and ds just used his short form to get a new SS card. (within the last three months.) he may have also taken his passport - but I don't think he used it. If you have a valid U.S. Passport, there is a possibility SSA might accept that. Call SSA and ask if your U.S. Passport is acceptable, along with the other documents you have available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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