Starting Tuesday, individuals requesting a birth certificate will need to show proof of identify, according to Darin Meschke, state registrar for the North Dakota Department of Health.

The new requirement is based on changes to the state's Century Code passed by the 2007 North Dakota Legislature. The purpose of the changes is to prevent fraud and identify theft.

According to the new law, a certified copy of a birth certificate can be issued only to the individual named on the birth certificate; a parent named on the birth certificate; or the individual's authorized representative, such as a legal guardian or an adoptive agency. Certified copies also will be released by the order of a court. Previously, if an individual's parents were married at the time of his or her birth, anyone could request a copy.

When requesting a certified copy of a birth certificate, individuals can establish proof of identity by submitting one of the following:

n A driver's license or photo ID issued by a state government.

n A tribal ID card issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

n A military ID card issued by the federal government.

n A passport or visa issued by the federal government.

People requesting birth certificates in person from the Department of Health's Division of Vital Records will be asked to show proof of identity. People requesting birth certificates by mail, fax or online will be asked to send or fax photocopies of the IDs.

More information about obtaining birth certificates is available on the health depaartment's Web site at http://www.ndhealth.gov or by calling 701-328-2360.