Vital statistics can be an easy and fast defense against scam artists who are going to use every lie at their disposal to gain your trust and lift your pocketbook.

Long-range scams are pretty common when a person is trying to trick you out of large amounts of resources. In these scams, a person will use every trick in the book to gain your trust so that you (willingly!) hand over personal and financial information.

Identity theft, business take-over, and draining your bank account are just a few of the goals that these tricksters have in mind.

Recent Death of a Loved One

A classic pattern a scam artist might run on a witless victim involves these scenarios:

•    A long lost family member has died. They need your information to give you access to money left to you in a will.

•    The scam artist has been recently widowed. She appears vulnerable in order to gain access to your trust and eventually… your pocketbook.

•    General death, mishap, or abuse in the family. The scammer claims that he needs money somehow to cover death fees, burial costs, escape from hostile people, or money transfers (of which a percentage is usually promised to the mark). This usually involves the “Nigerian Scam” or the “419 Advanced Fee Fraud”.

•    Fencing a stolen car. You may be buying a hot car that “grandma only drove to church on Sundays”. There are several excuses why they might not have proper documentation, titles, etc. If it sounds fishy, get out of the deal and do the research!

Check Up on Birth Documents and See if You are Dating an Illegal Aliens

A person may claim to be a legal citizen, but really they are in a relationship with you or someone you know in order to gain citizenship. By the time you find out their real motivations, it’s too late!

These people marry or have children in order to gain or maintain citizenship. Once they have a child in a country, they are automatically granted that citizenship.

These are called “anchor babies” because having a child, in the US for example, means that they get to stay and raise their child there.

Be very wary of these people, you may be surprised at what they’re willing to do to get what they want.

Identity Theft or Collect the Prize Scams!

So many scams offer promises of riches, fame, easy money, and everything else, that most people just hand over their personal identity without more than a second thought.

Anything that promises to be too good to be true probably is!

Get to their identity before they can get to you! They will take measures to give you a fake identity, and once you realize they’re a fake, send them on their way (to the police, preferably).  Don’t be fooled by liars, cheats, and conmen. Check their vital statistics immediately, before it’s too late!

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When you are seeking vital statistics in the United States, there are two basic ways to approach the subject. You can either seek paper copies, which take quite a bit of time, and effort or you can do an online search, which is quick and easy. The only real difference is the paper documents are official.

How to search vital statistics
Whether you are searching online or you are seeking the official copies, you will want to keep records of your search. It is also important to have a game plan to help you keep digging, so you can continue your search for more records until you finally find whom or what it is you are looking for.

• Divorce Records list the names of children from a marriage. This saves lots of time in a genealogy search.
• Death Records and obituaries may list surviving relatives of the deceased including the grandchildren.

Guidelines for submitting documents to vital statistics research
If you do choose to pay someone to search the through tons of records for you, then follow these general guidelines. They are the industry standard but as always be careful with whom you place your trust.

• Only make one or two request at one time.
• Include the full name, aliases, and alternate spelling of the names
• Include exact date or time span of the search
• Include a S.A.S.E (self addressed stamped envelope)
• Include what you are looking for but do not go into too much detail. The county needs to know what you are looking for but does not care why.
• Include a blank check and on the notes line write, “Not to exceed $10″ or however much you choose. It is acceptable to ask for an invoice.
• Be patient, as they have limited resources.

Searching Vital Statistics Online
Of course, you do not want to go through all the hassle of sending in the information and waiting for them to getting around to your request. Then hoping they will find something and then waiting for them to send you the information. You can always do the simple thing with a quick and easy vital statistics search online.

The results you find from a vital statistics search online won’t produce official paper documents like you get from the county, but most people don’t need them. When you are researching your ancestry, you just want to know who your relatives are. You can start your vital statistics research today online without the wait.

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Gone are the days where you knew your neighbor and everyone lived in the same place for 30 years. Now, searching through marriage records and doing a criminal background check isn’t so much a matter of being nosy, as it is being cautious and protecting yourself and your children.

How to Find Sex Offenders Online
The safest thing you can do for you and your family is to check for sex offenders. The federal government has made this safe and easy with Family Watch Dog. Just type in where you live, and it tells you where all the sex offenders live in your neighborhood. Nothing is quicker and simpler.

How to Find a Marriage Record Online
Unless you need a paper copy of a marriage certificate to change an insurance policy, driver’s license, or other legal document, a simple online search is all you need. For most people, simply seeing a copy of the court report is sufficient proof that the marriage took place.

You will need:

• Name
  • Maiden Name of Bride or
  • Groom Name
• Age (Optional)
• County (Optional)
• State (Optional)

Once you gather all the information you can, you simply go online and input the data into a marriage records search. The more information you have, the better results you get. You will have to narrow down the results until you find the person. Then you can see each person that person has been married to and where they have lived. (The marriage license says where they are from.)

If you are interested in dating the person, then enter the information into an online divorce records search. This way you can find out if the divorce is final. At least, find out if they got a divorce.

Don’t stop there. Keep looking for more information. You can find out their criminal records, too.

Finding Criminal Records Online is Simple
Finding criminal records online work much the same way as searching for marriage records, all you need is a name. If you have a city, state and age, then you will get better results. You do need to narrow down the results in some manner. Otherwise, you will get stuck with 30 Tracy Jenkins and no way of knowing which one is the one is the right one.

The days of Leave it to Beaver are over. We need to protect ourselves and the only way we can do that is with information. You can find a marriage record, criminal background check, and other vital statistics. Check it out. You will be glad you did.

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Why would you need a birth date search to free you of worries on top of all of the other things you need to consider when dating? No matter how you spin it, dating is a gamble. Will you be compatible, will you be attracted to each other, will you have the same goals and desires? There are a lot of variables at play.

Find Out Who Your Date Really Is with a Background Check

However, even with so many questions already in the air, one huge question remains. How do you know that the person you are seeing is in fact the person they say they are? The truth is, it is almost impossible to guarantee that you are being told the truth. This is where your birth date search comes into play.

If someone is being dishonest about their identity, one of the simple details they may change is their birth date. It seems like a small thing, but those who go so far as inventing a new identity change everything from their name to their social security number and yes, even their birth date. If you have any suspicions at all about how honest your latest date may be, a birth records search may be extremely revealing.

Checking Vital Statistics When You Date

If you are single and dating, you cannot afford to play fast and loose with your wellbeing and safety. There is nothing wrong with being proactive and careful when it comes to your relationships. Run a birth date search and be worry free today to make sure that you are starting out your new relationship on an honest basis.

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Have you ever heard the expression, “There is no such thing as a free lunch”?  Well, there is no such thing as free vital statistics documents either.  No one is going to hand over access to a database that they paid good money to create.  Too much money was invested in creating the database, running it, and maintaining it for you to use it free.

Vital Statistics Trial Offer
Frankly, this is a lure.  You may very well get to look at the database for a few days without charge, but I am certain you will be asked to give your credit card data before you do.  The company is counting on you forgetting to decline to continue after the initial period has ended.  Some of us are really good at shutting down the membership before the card is charged, others aren’t.

Even if you do remember to turn off the subscription, there is the fascination of being able to search for these documents to contend with.  Knowing that they are available, but you can no longer search for that one extra document you wanted will probably encourage you to sign up anyway.

Upfront and Honest Records Research Website
If you are going to deal with someone, don’t you want them to be honest with you?  I know I do.  I never do business with companies that offer a “free trial” but require a credit card number.  I don’t like the feeling of being a step away from being scammed.

Good search companies will tell you upfront what your costs will be.  Granted these aren’t certified copies that can be used for legal purposes, but for general information, they can’t be beat.

So, before you get taken in with an offer for free vital statistics documents, search for a good, honest search service and do business with them instead.  You won’t regret it.

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If you are searching for a birth certificate with the Colorado Vital Statistics department, you should know that the process is simple, but involves a few steps.  Birth certificates are available in both English and Spanish.

Certified Copies of Vital Records
If you need a certified copy of a birth certificate you will need to send in your application with a bit of information.  You need the name on the certificate as well as the appropriate date.  The names of both parents should be included on the application as well.  Colorado keeps records of births going back as far as 1910.  You can also get a copy from the county clerk’s office.

You can apply in person or send in the application by mail, apply online or fax it in.  For those that fax in the application an additional service charge is assessed for the convenience.

Heirloom copies are also available.  While these have no legal purpose or validity, they are wonderful if you wish to commemorate the birth of a special individual.

Verifying a Birth Date
If you are searching for a birth certificate with the intent of verifying a birth date, then you really don’t need to have the State send you a certified copy of a birth certificate.

There are many good search services online that will provide you with access to their databases.  These databases contain scans of the documents the state has, but they can’t provide certified versions.

If you are creating a genealogy, then you need dates, names, and places much more than you need a seal from Colorado Vital Statistics.  Learn how private   investigators research Colorado vital statistics in a nationwide search.  This insider’s information should provide you with the knowledge to answer any question you may have.

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It may be the most popular hobby today.  Genealogy has taken off like wildfire, and people searching for their past need birth records.  Birth records establish a timeline, make additional family connections, and provide a wonderful glimpse into the past.

1.    Find Maiden Names
Did you ever come to a moment when you realized that you had no idea what was your grandmother’s maiden name?  It is strange that this kind of detail can quickly disappear into the past.  Add another generation or two, and half the time, you might not even know your relatives first names.

Birth records typically list both the mother and father’s names making it easier to track down family connections.  When tracking back in a family line having that maiden name means that you can follow your mother’s family as well as your father’s.  With a maiden name you can hopefully acquire your mother’s birth record and from there her parents.

2.    Establish a Genealogical Timeline
When parents tell of their childhood, things often get a bit mixed up.  Using birth records as well as other documents from vital statistics, you can reestablish a more accurate chain of events.  While family memories are always the best place to start, it is always best to confirm stories with other written accounts, such as those found in newspapers and journals.

Establishing a timeline means that you can narrow your search parameters when you dig through media available in libraries around the country.  Vital statistics bureaus are a wonderful place to make multiple connections through birth and death certificates, marriage licenses and other legal papers.

3.    Conduct a Simple Search for Vital Statistics Online
You can apply to each relevant state if you so choose.  You can find the exact requirements on their websites.  Usually you will need ID, a letter explaining your reason for searching, and accurate locations and dates for each event you need.  If you lack any of this information, things get much more difficult.

Online search engines don’t need so much information.  Search for birth records with just a few details when you go online, then you can narrow down your choices with additional intangible information that means nothing to the state clerk.  Try an online search service for birth records, and then you can approach the state with more data for the specific record or certificate that you desire.

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Have you lost your birth certificate?  Replacement is easy if you use the internet and a bit of common sense.  Since a birth certificate is the most common vital statistics document that is requested, you are in good company.  States fill this request constantly, so the process is routine, and usually fairly quick.

Don’t Wait Until You Need Legal Documentation
As quickly as the States can turn around a request for a replacement birth certificate, it pays to anticipate your need.  For example, if you need a passport in a few months but lack your birth certificate, apply early so your passport doesn’t get held up later.  Even the fastest workers will need a couple of weeks to send you a certified copy, so get on it!

Complete all your Vital Statistics Paperwork to Avoid Delays
Don’t skip any of the application’s questions.  There is a reason they want to know the purpose of your request, it protects your privacy.  Don’t send cash, only a check or money order will be accepted for the fees, and it is never a good idea to send cash in the mail anyway.

By giving yourself time, you will be able to ask your parents for information you may be missing or have forgotten.  I, for example, saw on my certificate that I was born in Richmond and assumed it was in Virginia.  It turns out that there is a Richmond in New York.  Who knew?  Fortunately I found out before I sent in my request.

Other Options for Birth Records Exist
If you no longer have the ability to ask your parents for missing bits of information or you are looking for the birth certificate of an ancestor, you can always use an online search service.

These great services will help you locate birth certificate replacements even if you don’t know everything the state asks.  If you still want a certified copy, you can then apply to the state with the completed information when you are ready.  If you don’t have enough information yet, start your birth certificate replacement search here.

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While surfing the internet, especially in search of vital statistics documents, you may have noticed ads that boast “Marriage Certificate Free.”  The fact is that there is no such thing.  You can get verification of the possibility of data existing online, but no service is going to give you the information they paid so much for, free of charge.

False Advertising for Marriage Records?
I for one really resent being led on.  When I enter information in any of these sites that offer free services, I inevitably end up on a page requesting me to pay.  It isn’t that the information isn’t worth paying for.  It is, but I don’t like being told it will be free, and then find out it isn’t.  It just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

State Search for Marriage Records
If you want an actual, certified copy of your marriage certificate, you will need to apply either with the state clerk or the county clerk where you were married. Most states have records going back to the early 1900s, reliably, but earlier marriages may appear as well.

For a government-based search, you will need to visit the correct website for your state, apply, provide the groom’s name, the maiden name of the bride, the date of the marriage, and the location.  Some states will request that you explain your relationship to the people on the license and some form of ID.

The Better Way to Look Up Vital Records
Verify a marriage certificate free of hassle, and access all the databases held by all the states around the country.  This way you can search more general parameters and also get access to other public documents like criminal records, divorce records, and legal decrees.

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If you need a copy of a vital statistics document, you can easily be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information.  While each state has slightly different rules for finding and accessing the vital statistics you desire, your best starting point is the state vital statistics office.

What You Need to Find Your Vital Statistics
When you are searching for vital statistics, you will need to prove whom you are and why you want the certificates.  Prepare to send along a copy of your driver’s license as well as an explanatory letter.  Include at least one phone number where you can be reached.  This cuts down time wasted on questions being mailed.

Find Birth Certificates
Some states manage these by county.  Others have a statewide clearinghouse.  To figure out where to send your request, visit or call the state’s vital statistics office.

You will find the location to which you will send your request and the complete list of data they desire from you before they will release the document.  Make sure to include a SASE along with your request and check to ensure a return of your desired certificate.

Find Death Certificates
You will need to provide a name, both formal and any commonly used nicknames, date of death, and gender.  Anything you can add to those minimum requirements will speed up the process.  If you know where the individual passed, you will improve your chances of a correct and speedy match.

Find Marriage Licenses
Usually states have marriage licenses stored by the county.  To obtain a copy, you will need to contact the county in which the marriage took place.

They will ask for the names of the couple, including a maiden name.  The location and date of the marriage will also be necessary.  With this information and your own paperwork, you should be able to obtain a copy of the requested marriage license.

If all this seems like a lot of work, it is.  You can make the process simpler by contacting an online search company and let them take on much of the challenge.

These sites make the task of finding any type of vital statistic or background information much simpler and easier.  Stop wasting your time searching through every county courthouse.  Find vital statistics quickly and easily.

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