{"id":23357,"date":"2025-08-27T14:48:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T18:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/?p=23357"},"modified":"2025-08-27T14:48:22","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T18:48:22","slug":"how-to-safely-store-birth-certificates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.archivalmethods.com\/how-to-safely-store-birth-certificates\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Safely Store Birth Certificates\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Birth certificates are important documents that should be preserved. To safely store a birth certificate use acid-free, archival materials. Make a high quality scan of it before putting it into long-term storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1-1\/2″ Drop Front Box storing a birth certificate and other important documents which are in 3-Sided Sleeves with Card Stock Inserts to protect them during handling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Layers of Protection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Archival Sleeves<\/a> or Binder Pages<\/a><\/strong> – These protect the documents during handling and viewing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Archival Envelopes<\/a> or File Folders<\/a><\/strong> – Optional layer that helps sort and organize multiple documents and gives you room to write relevant information about the contents<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Archival Box<\/a> or <\/strong>Binder<\/strong><\/a>– Boxes are more economical and binders provide easier viewing and access. Here’s an in-depth look at the box versus binder<\/a> decision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Your Home!<\/strong> You should store your birth certificate and other important documents somewhere in your living space that is climate controlled. No attics or basements! Interior closets are ideal.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Handling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Many birth certificates, especially older ones, are very delicate. If you handle the document incorrectly you might wrinkle, stain, or tear it. While we recommend wearing gloves<\/a> when handling photos and negatives, gloves can increase the risk of damaging fragile paper documents<\/strong>. Therefore, before handling birth certificates, always wash and dry your hands thoroughly. You want to ensure that no dirt, lotion, or naturally-occurring oils from your hands get on the document. If you would prefer to wear gloves, powder-free nitrile gloves<\/a> are a better choice for this project because they won’t snag like cotton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    One way to protect a birth certificate during future handling is to put it in an archival sleeve<\/a> or binder page<\/a>. We recommend using archival Card Stock<\/a> for extra support in the sleeve or page if you don’t need to see both sides of your document.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Pro Tip:<\/strong> When possible, store paper items unfolded when you are trying to preserve them. Paper damage occurs more rapidly along folds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sleeves<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you want to store your birth certificate in an archival box<\/a> or file folder<\/a> there are a few good archival sleeves for birth certificates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n