Fine, I'll just order the birth certificate and get it over with, right? Wrong. New York wants affirmative proof of identity for a copy now: passport or your [missing] original birth certificate. Anyone else see a circular problem here? http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/birth.htm Identification Requirements - application must be submitted with copies of either A or B: * One (1) of the following forms of valid photo-ID: * Driver license * Non-Driver Photo-ID Card * Passport * Employment ID * Two (2) of the following showing the applicant's name and address: * Utility or telephone bills * Letter from a government agency dated within the last six (6) months Employment ID (like school ID) can be issued by anyone since anyone in America can employ or teach others. If you want to be fancy, pick up one of these. http://www.staples.com/Catalog/Browse/Sku.asp?PageType=1&Sku=AVE02900 DCF