Happened to my husband, went to the local health department, city where he was born, they could locate his birth, but showed no certificate, so they petitioned the state health department with their information and in about 4-6 weeks the birth certificate came in the mail.
Hope this helps
How did this person get a Social Security card and Drivers License without birth records?
1. The county and/or state should have birth records.
2. Even if the hospital closed, their records were transferred somewhere, not destroyed.
3. Baptismal record?
I want to thank everyone for their replies.
I used to register and file BCs.
Yes, the hospital will have their copy and records but those can’t be used for legal purposes. Hospital records can be used as a starting point.
Next, go to the county clerk’s office. A copy of the legal BC will be on file in the Birth Records. Also, it will be noted in three places in the Birth Index book under both parents’ names and the child. IF they won’t let you look at the books yourself then make sure the clerks look in all of those places.
Finally, the state health department will have it just like the country does.
If you don’t know which county, then look at the counties surrounding where you think it is.
Go to the State Library and check their state birth books. Those will either be in book form or on computer or microfilm. The State Library is likely located in the state’s capitol city. It is doubtful the local public library will have this info but they could help get it for you from the State folks. Could be just a phone call to the State Library might get you a nice librarian who will do a quick look up for you.
Look through newspaper birth announcements. Again, at the state or local libraries. Or go down to the newspaper office. Again, not official unless you’re Obamy.
Where’s the person’s baby book? Wouldn’t a grandma have something?
If desperate, ask the school for where he enrolled for kindergarten or first grade. They should have a copy but getting to his file would be a royal pain.
Check with the DMV where he got his first license at 16 because he had to give them his BC.
Would he have to give a copy to get a gun permit if he were a teen?
Pediatricians might also have a copy.
No, I think you should definitely get advice from anonymous users on a message board, in states with laws different than yours, rather than contact an attorney.
Change your name to Gonzales.
Do this in person as they find it harder to ignore your sad little face. If they can not find it ask, very politely if they could search the day before and after. If they were born close to midnight the official day they were born may not be the day they were told.
As a last resort they can hire a PI who specializes in finding adopted children their original BC. This is pricey so last resort.
Was he baptized as an infant? Sometimes vital stats will accept a certificate of baptism as proof of birth and use it to generate a replacement. If not find out if they will take an “affidavit of live birth” from his parents and, if still around, the person who delivered him. I am surprised there is no copy with any family member. A certified copy is needed for so much these days.
Oh and tell him to get it in writing that Vital Stats are not able to locate the original to make a certified copy.
Maybe he can use this. “U.S. Department of State, Birth Affidavit.” The form is to be used for applying for a Passport but I imagine the info and outline would be acceptable in other situations when a B/C cannot be found.
https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds10.PDF
Where did they attend school? Most public schools have records of matriculation and many include this info.
Have them talk to Obama. He still hasn’t found his.