We all know it and we all hate it.
The most basic and essential.
Need it to vote.
Need this for money.
Need one to get out.
Birth certificates are needed in order to get every other piece of paperwork in this list. Hopefully your parents gave you yours. If they didn't, you have to take matters into your own hands. Requirements for getting your birth certificate vary by state, and in some cases you cannot get it on your own such as if you're under 18. Even birth certificates cost money, so make sure you have some kind of payment option like a debit card or a pre-paid gift card if you don't yet have a bank account.
[UNDER 18] You will need to either have your legal guardian request this or request it via judge. To find out how to do this, you must call or visit your local vital records office. If you do not live near where you were born, you will need to reach out to the state vital records office of the state where you were born. Sometimes the local and state offices are the same.
In most cases you will need to provide photo identification, such as a license or ID card. If you do not already have a state ID, you will need to confirm your identity a different way such as a sworn statement of identity, a statement of identity from your attending primary care doctor, or by appearing before a judge. This method will also vary by state.