Which document type is specifically mentioned as needing certified copies?

The choice of birth and death certificates as the document type that requires certified copies is correct because these records typically serve as fundamental legal documents that establish a person's identity and familial relationships. Certified copies of these certificates are essential for various legal and bureaucratic purposes, such as obtaining identification, applying for benefits, and settling estate matters.

Certified copies ensure that the document is an official duplication, verifying its authenticity and that the information contained within it has been verified by the appropriate authority. This is crucial since discrepancies or unverified copies can lead to complications in legal processes, affecting everything from inheritance disputes to eligibility for government services.

While military separation papers, tax liens, and insurance policies may have their own documentation needs, they do not generally require certified copies to the same extent as birth and death certificates do. For example, military documents often require verification but may not be required to be a certified copy for general use, and tax liens are often public records that can be accessed without certification. Similarly, insurance policies serve more as contractual agreements, and while certain aspects may require verification, they typically do not need certified copies for processing or verification purposes.