If birth parents were not married at the time of birth, or, if an adoption took place and the name changed, the original birth record is restricted. Some agencies or city clerks also refer to these as impounded birth records.
These records are restricted to the individual named on the record, the birth parent(s) named on the record or a legal guardian.
Certificates can still be obtained directly by the subject named, or the birth parent named on the record, or legal guardian, but this record type is not open to the public.
Well, it depends.
It's not difficult. It just depends on why you need the record and, where you currently live, as some states and agencies will only accept state certified copies and not city or town copies.
If you need the certificate for any official purpose, such as obtaining a passport, processing "REAL ID" applications, updating a driver's license, applying for dual citizenship or for social security benefits, you need a state certified birth certificate.
State certified copies of restricted records can be obtained from the State Registrar of Vital Statistics in Boston.
A photo ID, as well as documentation as to the relationship to the subject, if not the subject applying, is needed for the application.
A state certified copy is the most official copy one can obtain.
If you only need a certified copy for your own records, say for general information or for a family history project, a city or town birth certificate should fill the need perfectly.
City or town certified birth certificates are obtained by contacting the town or city clerk's office in Massachusetts in the town or city where you were born.
Some of the larger cities, such as Worcester and Boston, have online birth order forms on their websites, but many of the smaller towns, such as Granby, still only accept mail in or walk in applications.
The biggest plus of city/town certificates - they are generally less expensive than state certified copies. The biggest minus - they can take longer to obtain and are obviously less offical appearing than state copies.
Most importantly, they are not acceptable by some state agencies or for applying for drivers license and passports, especially if you live in Colorado or California or if you live outside of the country.
Note: All data related to father's information is usually missing on restricted birth certifcates.