Differences in the United States BMD Certificates from the UK Certificates

The differences in Birth Record details between the United Kingdom and the United States, is vast to say the least. In the UK there is at least some form of continuity in the information held within a certificate, in the United States however there seems to be the opposite because each of the American states holds a different set of information in the certificates it produces.

What information will a birth certificate provide? This will vary widely by location and time period. In general, vital records forms usually allow space for the following information but are not consistently filled in by the users. 

United States Birth Certificates usually contain:

• name of child 
• race of child
• gender of child
• date and place of birth
• mother’s name (sometimes including maiden name)
• father’s name

The Certificates could have some of the following elements in some form:

• mother’s age, race, occupation and place of birth
• father’s age, race, occupation and place of birth
• number of children in family
• number this child is in family
• witnesses to the birth

The information about the birth itself is usually provided by the attending physician or midwife and can be considered a primary source. Information about the parents, other children, etc. is usually provided by the parents and isn’t quite as reliable as it is provided years after the events occurred.

What information will a United States marriage record provide? This will vary widely by location and time period. In general, vital records forms usually allow space for the following information but are not consistently filled in by the users. 

United States Marriage Certificates usually contain: 

• full name of bride
• full name of groom
• date and place of marriage

The Certificates could have some of the following elements in some form:

• age and birth date of bride
• age and birth date of groom
• names and place of birth for bride’s and groom’s parents
• residences of bride and groom
• occupations of bride and groom
• whether single, widowed or divorces
• number of previous marriages for both the bride and groom
• witnesses and officials present at the marriage

One very important thing to consider when researching in marriage records is that a marriage license by itself is not proof of marriage. It was not uncommon for couples to apply for a license to marry and then never follow through with the ceremony.

What information will a death certificate provide? This will vary widely by location and time period. In general, vital records forms usually allow space for the following information but are not consistently filled in by the users. 

United States Death Certificates usually contain: 

• name
• date of death 
• place of death

The Certificates could have some of the following elements in some form:

• age at death
• cause of death
• exact time of death
• date and place of birth (if known)
• current residence
• occupation
• parents’ names and birth places (rarely, but sometimes)
• spouse’s name, including maiden name for wife (if applicable)
• whether single, widowed or divorced
• place of burial
• name of funeral home
• name of physician or medical examiner
• name of informant & their relationship to the deceased
• officials or witnesses present at death

The most important thing to remember when researching in death records is that birth and other such information in a death record may not be accurate because the informant may not have had complete information.