Getting a birth certificate, my latest project.

[Labontet]

I am starting the process of getting a passport. I went to the courthouse to apply and they told me that I needed a birth certificate that showed my mother and father's names. Ok, here is the problem:

The only certificate that I have of my birth was issued approx. 4 years after I was born. It shows my adopted name, Whidden. I was born, Hicks. My birth dad and mom divorced sometime after I was born. My mom got married again when I was 2 and my stepdad adopted me and gave me the last name of Whidden. The one and only birth certificate I have had all of this time only shows my name and not my mom and stepdad's name.

So I contacted Vitalcheck and they are going to research me with my mom and stepdad's names to see about getting me a birth certificate with their names on it. After I contacted vitalcheck, I contacted the vital statistics office in Niagra County, NY. I ordered a birth certificate with my mom's name and my biological dad's name. It would seem to me that one of the applications will come up blank.

This is going to be interesting to see WHO the state of New York thinks I am. Am I recognized as a Hicks or a Whidden? If the paperwork does not come back as Whidden like the one I have used all of my life, I am sure I will be facing a whole new set of issues.(rounding up adoption papers, etc) Hmmmmmmm.

[Darlene]

I don't have any answers for you but it sounds like you could use a hug.

[Contrary Housewife]

Oh how fun. Take names and phone numbers , stay calm, and keep asking questions when dealing with government types.

[shoiji]

Your adoption papers should be fine. Many people do not have their actual birth certificates since they are adopted.

[Labontet]

Darlene - Thanks for the hugs. I will most likely need it in the future.

CH - The government has become rather ridiculous (more than normal) I am not upset, just mildly frustrated (at this point). This rule has just come into effect within about the last 6-8 months or so as far as I can tell. If I had gotten a passport prior to this, there would have been no problem I guess.

soiji - I just hope that I don't have to work on getting adoption papers. You know, I have actually never thought about papers being out there previously about my adoption. I just knew that I was.

[Debbie-cat]

Oh Cheryl, I hope things go smoothly and quickly for you. Sending hugs, prayers and the best of luck!

[Labontet]

Thanks Debbie. I really think that I am getting too old for this kind of FUN.

[greekislandgirl]

Cheryl, what a pain!! I was going to say to put your adoption birth cert in the application but then I read your post where you said they changed things recently. That is really frustrating.

I know the sense of powerlessness... I have a hyphenated last name (which is in my passport), and the airlines CAN NOT print hyphenated last names on boarding passes, so according to the new law (about a year ago I think), I can't fly. Period. (I haven't been back to the US since they changed the law, so I haven't tested it. I'm 99% sure they would let me fly as long as the only difference between the passport and the boarding pass was the hyphen - but officially it's illegal.)

[Labontet]

greekislandgirl:
Yes it is a big "Royal Pain", I just hope I don't have to provide adoption papers. Where would I possibly find those? I doubt, very seriously, they would even provide them to me.

You know, the government needs to be run the way we want it to, not the way our leaders want it to run. They do not seem to be doing a very good job of it.

Hopefully when it comes time for you to fly again, there will not be too much problems. But who knows?

[frugalfranny]

Gees, what a hassle.

I hope you get it soon Labon.........good luck.

Were you just getting this....just in case?.........are are you planning on traveling?? Not soon I hope........with this going on!!

Know what you mean...........and can relate!!!...........about all the "fun" you are having!!!

[Labontet]

ff:
Thanks.
The only reason that I am pursuing this is because I will need a passport next year, sometime for a cruise and just in case I had to go overseas for something.
If not for that I would have no desire to be doing this.

[frugalfranny]

The only reason that I am pursuing this is because I will need a passport next year, sometime for a cruise

Then just look at the 'end result' when the going gets tough.
It will be your reward for getting through this!!!

Dealing with ANY gov't crap can be frustrating..........ESPECIALLY when "I don't know" ISN'T in anyone's vocabulary and you then find out they didn't have a CLUE what they were talking about when they
told you whatever they told you.................

ONCE AGAIN..............good luck..........and if needed, don't
hesitate to ask for a manager for an explanation on something!

[Labontet]

ff:

YOU GOT IT!!!!!!!

[mauimagic]

Interesting journey you're on Labontet!!

[Labontet]

Yes it is mm,

I should hear some kind of results by the end of this next week on at least one of my names.

Weird, huh?