A birth certificate is an official document that records the birth of a person. It includes important details such as the baby’s name, date of birth, place of birth, and the names of the parents. This document is essential for various legal purposes, like applying for a passport or enrolling in school. Having a birth certificate is important because it serves as proof of identity and citizenship. It helps establish a person’s age and can be required for many activities throughout life, such as getting a driver’s license or voting. Without it, accessing certain services can be challenging.