Legitimate birth certificates provide vital information about the person whose name appears on the certificate. Issuing birth certificates is the responsibility of State vital records registrars and numerous local issuing entities. While originally intended for the sole purpose of birth registration, birth certificates are now used extensively for employment purposes and to obtain benefits or other documents used for identification.
Over the last 25 years, a number of studies have addressed problems related to false identification and the misuse of birth certificates. These studies conclude that false identification is a major factor in crime, and that most, if not all, Federal fugitives and drug trafficking crimes are associated with false identification. They also conclude that stolen, counterfeit, and altered birth certificates are often used as "breeder documents" that allow the holder to obtain documents needed to create new identities. The Office of Inspector General has conducted three inspections focused specifically on birth certificate fraud that identified a number of vulnerabilities in birth certificate processes. Because so many Federal and State agencies rely on birth certificates to assist them in determining eligibility for services and benefits, it is important that these agencies have current information on the nature and extent of birth certificate fraud to assist them in the proper assignment and protection of benefits.
This inspection was initiated at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide information which the Department could use in responding to responsibilities placed on it as a result of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
We used two mechanisms to gather information. We gathered general information regarding vital records policies and procedures from 53 primary vital records registrars using mail surveys. We also collected more in-depth information through personal interviews with State registrars, fraud investigators, and local and State vital records, Passport Services, Immigration and Naturalization Services, Social Security Administration, and public assistance staff in five States and New York City. We also met with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Health Statistics, staff who provided us with comments on the draft of this report.
The purpose of the report is to provide an update on the nature and extent of birth certificate fraud. The report was prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, in 2000.
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