[jamimarisol3775]

Has anyone applied for a passport as an adoptee - - without the original hospital birth certificate?? I am having problems with my passport. Apparently my birth certificate, which was applied for after my final adoption hearing, is not considered certified because it was filed for more than a year after I was born. It's a copy from the Board of Health with the raised registrar's signature and everything but the passport agency is saying I need the original hospital birth certificate!! HELP??? Has anyone done this? Does anyone know a way around this? Why wouldn't my birth certificate be considered certified? What's the difference?? And since I was legally adopted wouldn't that then make my “original” hospital birth certificate - - with my birth parents on it - - null and void?? I mean obviously I would love a copy of my hospital birth certificate because I would like to know who they are but since my records are sealed I can’t get to it. I am totally confused and quite honestly very angry with the system!!! HELP!!!!

[shirleyville]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
Yet another one of "those things" that no one else in the world has to contend with but those of us who are adopted! Add it to the LONG list of things we are denied!
And people think it's all in our heads!
As I have never applied for a passport, I am of no help to you -- but am eager to see if anyone has any answers, in case I ever need a one! My certificate is just like yours...so it will be interesting to see what responses are!
Hugs,
Sally

[dl]

That's very strange. I applied for and received a passport using my amended birth certificate and had no problem. I was born in 1950 and the amended certificate was not certified until 1953. No one questioned it at all.

I would attempt to talk to a supervisor at the passport agency. Amended birth certificates in adoption are very common. As you also need a picture ID to get a passport, your name wouldn't match the original anyway. It is very common for adoptees to not have access to their original birth certificates. It would make searching much easier if only adoptees could have access.

[jamimarisol3775]

Thanks to both of you! dlouis - - As for speaking with a supervisor, I did that and she told me that if I go in person with the amended birth certificate and my adoption papers that I might be ok...but they have my birth certificate as it was included with the original application, which I explained to her. Now I am stuck between a rock and a hard place - - since I am supposed to get on a plane in one month. Said supervisor told me to mail photocopies of as much additional identification as I have (including my adoption papers) in with the letter they sent me via overnight mail and wait a week. If I don't hear anything within that week call and request that the birth certificate be returned and go in person. Here is where I get stubborn. I will then have to pay for an expedited application! I mean obviously I will pay it since I need the passport to go on this trip (with 11 friends) but it sucks that I have to jump through so many hoops! Anyway, I will say that I feel a lot better knowing that you were able to get yours!! And I truly thank you both for listening to me vent!!!

[jamimarisol3775]

Sally...

Hugs back!

[lmp762]

Just reading your post. What happens if you don't have a copy of your adoption papers. I know I don't have one.

[dl]

I just sent a pmessage to Linda Lach, an attorney that specializes in adoption and is a member of the forum, to see if she might have any input or guidance for you. I can't believe that your amended birth certificate is not being considered valid. This is absurd.

[Linda Lach]

Aloha.

I agree, this is absurd. In actuality, your "original" (meaning pre-adoption) certificate is no longer a valid document.

In every case I have ever seen, following an adoption, the Vital Records people in the state are advised by the court granting the adoption to seal the old record, and prepare a new birth certificate
with the new information. (Adopting mother under "mother", father under "father", your new name as of the adoption.

I have never heard of the passport people making this particular blunder before.

I suggest that you apply for and get (asap) a new birth certificate, issued by your state, and certified by the state. That, and photos, and application, should be all that's required. (Oh, and money. :-)

Your adoption, and the adoption papers, are really none of their darn business!

Good luck!

[comws]

Congressional casework may help.

Please visit http://free-immigration-help.com which is not specific to your topic but contains the locations of Congressional offices in your area. Like, even if you were looking for veterans benefits or looking for workers' compensation for a postal employee, the site would be just as good. Anything federal like that.

[emlynn74]

i had the same problem when i went to Mexico.i Got out of USA just fine, it was getting back in was the problem. I had to stay at the US ebasy in mexico until they were faxed my original. I asked to see it or if i coiuld have it so i wouldn't have this problem again. They told me no, and it would be just as good if i just stay in the US.