ANSWERS: 2
  • In the U.S., each state has its own regulations for birth certificates. As far as I know race is not part of that (but I am no expert and I certainly could be wrong). My reasons: **1** because that would seem to violate federal anti-discrimination laws relative to legal documents **2** because in lots and lots and lots of cases it is mighty difficult to identify with certainty the race of a child. Certainly it is NOT a matter of MEDICAL determination (and has not been in my lifetime, and I was born in '62), and birth certificates used to be filled out by THE PHYSICIAN, though I think any medical professional present at the birth (e.g. midwife, nurse) can fill out the certificate. I suppose that for births with no medical professional present, anyone who was witness to the birth can be the signed witness on the birth certificate.
    • Charin Cross
      and if the father is known, there are so many mixed race children these days, they'd be in the "other" category.
  • Race may appear on birth certificates in some states. In the past this was an open-ended description filled in by the parent/doctor. In 1977 the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defined five categories for race. More recent standards separate ethnicity from race.

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