16 year old working for 2 years to get Birth Certificate so he can drive. Please Help

[trojanman]

I am a 16 year old guy living in OK. Two summers ago I was about to leave on a missions trip to mexico to help build houses for people in need when I realised that I did not have a birth certificate, so I was not able to go. Of course I was very upset, So I found out from my parents that for some reason they had not gotten me a Birth Certificate when I was born. I was born at home and they thought it would be a good idea I not to get me a B.C. Why? Because they were very over protective and anti-gov. They thought it would help me not to have one. All not having one has done for me was let me not get a job, not leave the country, and not be able to drive(I have been saving up for a car ever since I was like 7 and was really excited about being able to drive), So basicly can't do much of anything.

What we do have is a Birth Affidavit and Social Security Card/Number, which we have found is not accepted for a licence. We have sent the gov. everything required to get a birth certificate, Including all the records we have of my birth here in Tulsa, OK, with the midwife's witness of my birth, and they still are not accepting what we have as proof enough for me to get a birth certificate.

There are four of us teens, all around the same age, that can not get liecences and my parents just cannot drive us everywhere we need to be. I am very beaten up about this. There has to be something more I can do? Thank you so much for your advice.What is the name of your state?

[justalayman]

Originally Posted by trojanman

and they still are not accepting what we have as proof enough for me to get a birth certificate.

?

Well, what have they said they will accept?

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

You have to apply for a "DELAYED BIRTH REGISTRATION" in Oklahoma. That will include the affidavit from the midwife, baptismal records (if any), any medical records that would show that your mother was pregnant.

You can find more information at:
http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/vital/brec.html

[justalayman]

Originally Posted by Ginny J

You have to apply for a "DELAYED BIRTH REGISTRATION" in Oklahoma. That will include the affidavit from the midwife, baptismal records (if any), any medical records that would show that your mother was pregnant.

You can find more information at:
[url]http://www.health.state.ok.us/program/vital/brec.html[/url]

so, what is a delayed birth and why would one need to register it?

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

A delayed birth certificate is one that is NOT issued within 4 years of birth. This child is 16; therefore, it's a delayed birth certificate.

It involved affidavits and witnesses that can attribute this child to his parents and why they say he was born on such and such date, in such and such place, to such and such parents.

He actually needs the BC in order to get a social security card so that he can legally work.

[fairisfair]

Originally Posted by justalayman

so, what is a delayed birth and why would one need to register it?

hahaha very funny. You know it is the registration that is delayed not the birth.

I would like to register my daughters delayed birth. I swear she could almost walk by the time she decided to finally show up.

[justalayman]

Originally Posted by Ginny J

A delayed birth certificate is one that is NOT issued within 4 years of birth. This child is 16; therefore, it's a delayed birth certificate.

It involved affidavits and witnesses that can attribute this child to his parents and why they say he was born on such and such date, in such and such place, to such and such parents.

He actually needs the BC in order to get a social security card so that he can legally work.

where is your sense of humor GinneyJ? Didn;t you see the big grin smiley?

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

oh justalayman, I got the humor, especially since I had one of those too ... but was just making sure the OP understood too!

[qurice]

Originally Posted by Ginny J

He actually needs the BC in order to get a social security card so that he can legally work.

He mentioned he has a SSN/card How would he have that if there is no birth cert.?

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by qurice

He mentioned he has a SSN/card How would he have that if there is no birth cert.?

The birth affidavit got him the SSN/card...assuming that its a valid SSN.

However the birth affidavit also should be able to get him a birth certificate.

[trojanman]

You would think that the affidaviate would get me a birth certificate, but not anymore, It might have something to do with 9.11. We gave them all the evidance we had when we tried to registor for a birth certificate, but after over a year of them asking us for something and us sending it, then months later we finally get another letter asking for something else, then we send that, the same cycle over and over. Finally, after we sent the gov. everything we had they said it was not enough. There has to be something I can do?

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Sometimes, the very squeaky wheel who is right in front of them squeaking works best. You probably have reached the point of having to see these people face-to-face.

[LdiJ]

Originally Posted by Ginny J

Sometimes, the very squeaky wheel who is right in front of them squeaking works best. You probably have reached the point of having to see these people face-to-face.

And you probably need an attorney to help facilitate this. You cannot give up on this, because it could eventually effect your citizenship. It may need to be taken before a judge to get a judge to order the vital records division to provide you with a birth certificate.

[trojanman]

Thanks for your help everyone. If anyone knows anything else or has any other ideas please post. Thanks again.

[metalhead82]

You do not need a birth certificate or proof of citizenship to get a job in the U.S. You need proof of identity and proof of work authorization. You and your employer must complete the I-9 form. Additionally, you must complete a W-4 for tax purposes. The I-9 includes lists of documents that prove identity and work authorization. It is illegal for an employer to specifiy which documents you show. Also, they cannot refuse to accept documents on the lists. Here is the I-9:

[url]www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf[/url]

You probably already have enough identification to get a job. For instance, you can use your social security card to prove work authorization and you can use a photo student id to prove identity. Hopefully, your school issues photo student ids. If not, you can use one of items 10, 11, or 12 from List B, because you are a minor. Either way you should be able to get a job. You may face difficulty in cashing your paychecks without a government issued photo id. You may need to endorse paychecks over to your parents until you can get a drivers license.

Most states are now requiring citizens to show proof of citizenship to get a driver license. The Real ID Act mandates this. Additionally, some states are requiring proof of citizenship to vote. Medicare and other goverments programs will jump on this bandwagon soon. Proof of citizenship is becoming a license to live.

You have two options. Obtain a delayed birth certificate which is giving you difficulty or obtain a passport. I would obtain both to be safe. But if you must pick one, pick the passport. Only delayed birth certificates that meet certain standards are acceptable for obtaining a passport. Here is the passport application.

[url]http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/79955.pdf[/url]

To prove citizenship WITHOUT a birth certificate to get a US Passport... (from the passport application)

"If no record exists. Submit registrar's notice to that effect. Also submit an early baptismal or circumcision certificate, hospital birth record, early census, school, or family Bible records, newspapers or insurance files, or notarized affidavits of persons having knowledge of your birth (in addition to at least one record listed above.) Evidence should include your given name and surname, date and place of birth, and the seal or other certification of the issuing office (if customary) and the signature of the issuing official."

You will need a letter from the state of Oklahoma saying that no record of your birth exists as well as as many of the documents listed above as possible. Getting the passport would probably require a long wait and some patience, but you would then be able to legally participate in life. With the passport obtain a driver license, bank accounts, etc.