For child birth certificates, they need official copies of everything. No photo copies.

We had to get official birth certificates from both of our countries that included both parents information. My 'card' birth certificate was not good enough - they need the full page.

All the documents you provide they keep. I tried to talk to them and say they could stamp it or make it official and copy it, and then give me the original back (I was not aware - I only ordered one expensive birth certificate from Canada).