A birth certificate is an official document that confirms the date and location of a person's birth as well as their name, gender, and parentage. Some synonyms for the term "birth certificate" include a birth record, a birth registration, and a proof of birth. Other variations of the document may include an original birth certificate, a certified copy of the birth certificate, and a long-form birth certificate. These documents are often required for legal identification purposes, such as obtaining a passport, driver's license, or social security card. It is important to keep your birth certificate in a safe place and to request copies as needed.