Birth records may be obtained for any number of other reasons as well.  They are vital for receiving other documents, like a driver license or a passport.  Some employers ask for birth records when you apply for a job.  Make sure you have it handy if you or your kids are thinking about joining of branches of the US Armed Forces.  Never use a copy, unless you are specifically told you can do so.  Otherwise, you always need the raised seal original, or replicated original,  And, of course,  birth records are a great resource when performing genealogy searches.

Local Vital Records Office vs. Online Services
Regardless of where you get your birth record, it will cost you money to do so. Your first stop may be your state or local vital records office. Although this may be your best option, particularly if you are in the same city or state of your birth, retrieving your birth records from a reputable website may be slightly more convenient.

Many times, the vital records office of a state or local government is overburdened with a high number of requests for vital records. As a result, it may take some time to receive an original, raised seal copy of your birth record. The fees for obtaining a birth record is often less through your vital records office than online, but the convenience of receiving the birth record in a shorter length of time is often well worth the extra cost.

Why Birth Records are Not Free

Birth records, regardless of who obtains them, must be pulled from a state or local vital records office, and these offices always charge a small administrative fee to do so. Therefore, a company that says they can provide a free copy of your birth record is misrepresenting the truth.  In fact, you will often find that they charge a number of related fees that end up costing you more than simply ordering the birth records on your own.

However, there are many websites, such as Archives.com, that take the proper channels to produce results. Often times, it is these websites that can help you locate loved ones or ancestors that may be incredibly difficult to do if you performed a search through your local vital records office.

Best of all, these websites allow you to obtain all of the information you need in one comprehensive location. They can even provide you with links to other genealogy websites to retrieve all of the information necessary to complete a thorough, comprehensive search.

Finally,  Archives.com, through small fees and reasonably priced memberships, allow you to save searches and records, review past records and searches and maintain a personal collection for convenient viewing at any time. Searching birth records and performing genealogy searches has never been easier! 

International Genealogy Communities

The search for family history in the U.S. often leads to other countries from which ancestors emigrated. Many Americans find that in order to complete a family history chart, they must focus searches in Italy, Ireland, England, Japan, and even multiple countries throughout the world.
To aid with international genealogy searches, there international genealogy communities that can provide much-needed help in finding the data, documents, or records you need. One good place to find an international community is at http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/InternationalPages.aspx.

Religious or Nationality Communities

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well known for continually researching, collecting, and updating genealogy records. They also are very accessible not only for church members, but to anyone looking for family history records. Their website is at www.familysearch.org.

People of the Jewish faith have also found communities in which they can help each other complete family genealogy research. At www.jewishgenealogysearch.com or www.jewishgen.com, you can search through Jewish heritage records and databases, as well as obtain help and direction in performing your ancestry search.
Local Genealogy Communities

You can find other genealogy enthusiasts in your own community. Individuals who often perform genealogy searches have formed local groups where they can meet, share ideas, offer classes, and help others complete their individual family trees. Many local genealogy communities are dedicated to searching local family histories, including county family and property history records, towns, and even state communities that help provide resources to genealogists.

Genealogy Societies

Genealogy societies are also available for those who want to become part of a larger community. Through societies, you can publish your own family history records, get involved with organized conferences and events, and even take courses as a society member.  Societies such as the National Genealogy Society were formed to help preserve genealogy records, as well as provide education and training to members. Membership subscriptions to a genealogy society are usually very reasonable, and they provide great benefits, such as reduced price or free training, periodicals, and access to valuable databases.

Commercial Genealogy Sites

You can also become part of a community by joining popular genealogy websites. Websites like Archives.com, Genealogy.com, MyFamily.com, Ancestry.com, and other popular sites can put you in touch with other genealogy enthusiasts from around the world.  In addition, you can get expert advice from professionals and have access to tools to help you build and save your family tree.  Whether you are a genealogy enthusiast, hobbyist, or professional, joining a genealogy community can give you great benefits. Consider those mentioned here, or search the web for local groups or your genealogy focus.

So, if you perhaps started your family tree a few years ago and it is now collecting dust due to ineffective research, you might want to dust it off and get back to work.  With the increasing data available on the Internet and with the formation of many groups and communities supporting genealogy, it is becomming increasingly more effective to build your family tree.  Plus, you might even want to get started by getting yourself a low-cost annual membership to to Archives.com!