Why were people given birth certificates?

[wb54]

hi everyone,
                   I found it useful carrying my small birth certificate with me
                   at the time. I was tall for my age, getting half fares on the
                   train or bus. still at school then. the uniform was left
                   at home, at weekends.

                   never had trouble being under age getting a beer. cheer’s !!!!!

                        Billy.

[groom]

hi everyone,
                   I found it useful carrying my small birth certificate with me
                   at the time. I was tall for my age, getting half fares on the
                   train or bus. still at school then. the uniform was left
                   at home, at weekends.

                   never had trouble being under age getting a beer. cheer’s !!!!!

                        Billy.

Bet you didn't show your birth certificate then. 

[Melbell]

If someone born in the days before surnames appeared in birth registrations asks for a Short Birth Certificate, it can be issued in the surname of either parent (whichever is used by the individual in question).  You see, it is not a copy (as a full birth certificate is), just a certificate compiled from information shown in the register.

The plot thickens!

Melbell

[silvery]

Groom, Marmalady, I can't remember all the details, but the international terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal managed to get duplicate passports by applying for a passport in the name of a child who died in infancy along with a disguised photograph. I don't know what procedures are in place to stop this still being done. I hope there are some though.

Martin

My brother in law asked me to get his birth certificate for him and there were no questions asked. That did worry me, the fact that anyone can get a copy of a living person's certificate.

You need to know the exact date of birth. 

[StevieSteve]

You need to know the exact date of birth.

Only for those under 50, I think

[Guy Etchells]

You need to know the exact date of birth. 

Only if you apply online.
If you apply in person at a Superitendant Registrar's office you don't and if you apply by post you don't.
Legally you only need two things to apply for a birth certificate from the GRO.
1) The GRO Index Reference Number.
2) The correct fee.

Cheers
Guy

[Mart 'n' Al]

Guy, earlier in this thread you said that birth certificates were provided as means of proving lineage . Could you give me a source for that, (not that I don't believe you!)  I would just like to read more on it.

Martin

[iluleah]

Guy, earlier in this thread you said that birth certificates were provided as means of proving lineage . Could you give me a source for that, (not that I don't believe you!)  I would just like to read more on it.

Martin

That would make sense come to think about it. Just found this I expect it made sure they could 'chase' the father to pay instead of the poor law unions
http://www.sog.org.uk/learn/help-getting-started-with-genealogy/guide-three/

[Guy Etchells]

Guy, earlier in this thread you said that birth certificates were provided as means of proving lineage . Could you give me a source for that, (not that I don't believe you!)  I would just like to read more on it.

Martin

The following debate describes how the then current system of Parish Registers failed in its objectives.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lyc/

The proof of primogeniture, and evidences of pedigree with the enjoyment or the acquisition of vast portions of the property of the country must depend on a complete and correct register of births, marriages, and deaths. Yet the imperfections of the present system were obvious, and its practical inadequacy almost incredibly great. The Act was called "An Act for better regulating and preserving parish and other registers of births, baptisms, marriages, and burials in England." Mark, "other registers," and registers of births! But this Bill had no provision as to other than parochial registers, nor as to a registry of births. In fact, when it passed that House it corresponded with the title. It contained wise regulations as to dissenting registries, and in the schedule there was a column for an inscription of births. But in the other House these regulations and the column were erased, and the title remained to excite expectations, which the Act did not realise. Among the objects of that Act was the establishment of duplicate copies and diocesan registers of all the parish books; and as fires in churches and parsonage houses, had consumed, in a short hour, the records of ages, and so destroyed the evidences on which titles, 1214 and rank, and fortune might be claimed, duplicates placed in secure depositories, were obviously to be desired.

Further reading that some may find interesting may be found at the following and other similar entries in Hansard

For England & Wales
The link I originally gave in reply number 30
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01eq5/

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lyd/

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lye/

For Scotland

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lyf/

Cheers
Guy