The birth ceertificate is a key document used in establishing identity. The way the author obtained his official copy and the way I obtained mine are not secure; that is just about anyone could obtain the copy and claim to be someone they are not. In my case, I made a phone call, gave my name and DOB and my mother’s maiden name. Gave a credit card number (my wife’s, not mine, and had official documents within a week in the mail.
I see what you mean now, and you’re right.