Do you have a civil right to your birth certificate?

[me b zola]

Sounds easy, yes? Well, IMO it is. Can you think of a reason why you should be denied your birth documents? Isn't it creepy to know that some people are denied their birth documents?
\
Sorry for a post in the form of questions. I'm frustrated, creeped out, and pissed off. I would, though, like to hear non-authoritarian voices on this issue.

[RZM]

1. One would think you do

The only story i know that's relevant here:

A friend had lost his birth certificate and needed a copy. He was born in a different state on an army base. I think he had to pay to get them to reproduce the document. But he eventually got it.

I have my certificate and my hospital birth record in my firebox.

[MADem]

26. You always have to pay...! It used to be twenty or twenty five bucks--probably more now. nt

[loli phabay]

2. well i guess it depends on whether the certificate belongs to you or the state

i have no idea legally who the actual paperwork belongs too so i have no answer.

[jberryhill]

3. Are we talking about adoptees

[me b zola]

12. ? an adoptee is a person with civil rights, no?

Why wouldn't an adopted person have the same rights to their government documents as others?

[jberryhill]

13. Laws vary on this

The question is whether parents of adoptees have a right not to be found if they choose not to.

It's not an issue I'm current on, but there have been various restrictions on that kind of thing in the past, and ways of dealing with legal alternatives to original birth documents.

[gkhouston]

14. My husband says his adoptive parents are listed on his BC.

Same for his sister. She looked up her birth parents years ago; he's never been interested.

[jberryhill]

17. Laws vary

Yes, and same sex couples can be married in some states and not others.

Birth certificate procedures and access are creatures of state law. Some states issue an amended birth certificate and seal the original.

http://www.thetakeaway.org/2010/aug/02/adoptee-access-original-birth-certificates/

[me b zola]

24. Well see there

this is where the question alwaays seems to shift or morph to anothor entity, but my question stands: do you have the right to your birth cirtificate/documents?

Do YOU have the right?

Do YOU have the right?

Do YOU have the right?


...then why the fuck don't I?


Legal? Throw that out? Are you entitled to your birth documents?

[jberryhill]

27. I can't quite follow what you are trying to say

Obviously, in some states one does, and in some states one does not (unless you mean the amended ones).

The state - until some years ago - was not required to keep and maintain such records in the first place.

Do you have a right to have a child anonymously? Withou making it anyone else's business?

Your answer to that question is "No, you must tell the state, and you must have your name on a record of that fact."

Of course you must. The all-knowing state must know that you had a child, and must keep a record of it forever. You cannot have a child anonymously.

At least not if you are a woman.

If you are a man, yes, you may anonymously father a child. But, according to you, women do not have that right.

[elleng]

4. 'Civil right?' Maybe not.

Legal right? Probably.

[ZombieHorde]

5. I say yes, but within some limits due to costs.

One copy every six months or year, for free, should be plenty.

[SheilaT]

8. It's hard to imagine someone needing a new copy every year,

let alone every six months.

Maybe like your social security card, there should be some realistic lifetime limit as to how many free copies you can get.

Which reminds me, I have no idea where the birth certificate I first obtained in about 1967 has gone to. I needed it back then because I went to work for Ma Bell, and they required proof of citizenship. That document got me my first passport, and I know that the last time I set eyes on it, probably a decade or more ago, it was pretty tattered. I should send off for a new one.

[me b zola]

25. If only it were a matter of cost

...I would find a way

[progressivebydesign]

6. In the case of adoptees, they should absolutely have a right to their birth certificates.

I have no love for the entire adoption industry, which is fueled by the right wing money and the catholic church. And that people can adopt a child and not only change their BIRTH name on the certificate, but change the name of the person who actually gave birth to them, AND change the dates and times, too.

Adoptees are treated badly by the law. In my extensive time speaking with other natural mothers (birth mother makes us sound like cows,) the majority have zero problem with their children knowing who they were really born to. Unless there is a bona fide reason, like a case where the parent lost their rights because of abuse, or can show why it should be sealed, everyone should have the right to their birth certificate. Period. Frankly, most of the women I've talked said that the one thing that is told to them as they are trying to decide to place a child, is that the child can find them when they get older... but many States force adoptees to go to court and plead with a judge to release the info. In fact, one of the adoptees went to court to ask that her records be unsealed, and the judge (in front of a full court) admonished her to treating her "real parents" like garbage, and "this is the THANKS they get for raising you??" and refused.

[me b zola]

22. First mothers

Cows? Oh hell no. Just beautiful women who have become separated from someone who loves you very much. Every woman's story is her own, and not for others to judge or even to weigh in on. I have so much love for first mothers, you are all very special to me.

What you wrote about is what so many are fighting for. No one promised first mothers privacy and anonymity, thats what the state thought up as an excuse to perpetuate the industry of adoption.

I always knew better, even as a small child. I knew that my first mother wanted and loved me. No one could take that away from me. Many of us don't buy into the lies of the industry, we feel you with us. No anger with you, no sorrow for your choice, only a longing to tell you that 'I'm ok Ma'.

Peace and love to you always

[darkangel218]

7. I dont cuz i wasnt born here

[hobbit709]

10. I wasn't either but I have it and all the other necessary papers.

I was born in Austria to an Austrian mother and an American father. I am an American citizen by birth and still had to go through a bunch of crap 3 years ago when it was time to renew my driver's license.

[HopeHoops]

9. I'd say absolutely. Curiously, I just had to hunt down my youngest daughter's BC and SS card.

We've got three fire safes so it took a while to hunt through them all. Although one is easy. It mostly just has the handguns.

[treestar]

11. Yes you do

And in fact it was a public document until recently, with the identity theft scares.

[B Calm]

15. The court house in the town of your birth

will give you legal copies for a small price.

[me b zola]

18. Not me they won't

I am allowed to order a copy of a fictional birth record, not my origional.

[B Calm]

20. If you are wanting the hospital birth certificate

I really doubt you'll be able to find one. Anyways it's not the legal one like you get at the Court House. The Court House one will allow you to get a passport, etc.

[Brother Buzz]

21. A court order created that fictional birth record

I'm thinking only the court has to power to undo it, but I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on television.

[Brother Buzz]

19. In my state, county seats maintain those records

Same for marriage license and death certificates

[me b zola]

16. Thank you to evey one who took the time to answer this thread

And yes, it is about adoption, and just why is it that some people it is viewed as A-OK to deny them their birth records.

I began this thread, but then out of frustration, fear, and anger went and hid for a while, unwilling to expose myself to what I thought was sure to be a hate fest in full bloom.

Thank you for all that were willing to check in on the matter, and thanks also to those who used restraint to not check in and be mean.

All I really want to say is that I should have the same rights as you have. I have a history, I should be allowed to know it, just like you.

[LeftyMom]

23. A good friend is in the same situation.

If he was a week younger he'd be legally entitled to his real documents, but he isn't and he's not. It's messed up. I'm sorry you're dealing with it.