<P> In the U.S. , the issuance of birth certificates is a function of the Vital Records Office of the states , capital district , territories and former territories . Birth in the U.S. establishes automatic eligibility for American citizenship , so a birth certificate from a local authority is commonly provided to the federal government to obtain a U.S. passport . However , the U.S. State Department does issue a Consular Report of Birth Abroad for children born to U.S. citizens ( who are also eligible for citizenship ) , including births on military bases in foreign territory . </P>
birth certificates are most often completed by the department
the Vital Records Office of the states