student asking question

Why did she say "certificate", not "baby"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Certificate" here is referring to a "birth certificate". A birth certificate is a document issued that records the birth of a child for vital statistics, tax, military, and census purposes. In the United States, birth certificates serve as proof of an individual’s age, citizenship status, and identity. They are necessary to obtain a social security number, apply for a passport, enroll in schools, get a driver’s license, gain employment, or apply for other benefits. So she is asking them what name they wish to put for the baby on his birth certificate.

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