The rules vary from state to state. In California, birth certificates can be obtained from the state Office of Vital Records or from the County Recorder's Office in the county where you were born. The cost will vary slightly. You may need to include a notarized statement identifying yourself if you want a certified copy rather than an informational copy. An easy way to find out the particulars in your state would be to google for the name of your state, then "order birth certificate."
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