Birth Certificate Questions

[~Katie~]

I'm sure you get lots of these

DD was born in May at home after my midwife missed the birth. I had originally planned to get her birth certificate back in September when DH came home, but I needed a copy of my ultrasound report in order to do that. It ended up taking my midwife much longer than I anticipated to send it to me, and DH had already been long gone back to the desert by then. When I talked to the birth records person over the phone she said I'd need proof of pregnancy (ultrasound report) and someone who witnessed the birth. I had planned to just say DH was there but that isn't exactly an option now.

I know that I have a year from her birth to get it, but I would really like to do it now since I'm going to be filing taxes shortly and not wait until DH comes home. So what exactly do you do if you don't have someone who witnessed the birth? I don't want to be hassled about it, particularly now that I've waited so long to do it.

[Thankful'n'Blessed]

The problem is every state is different. You're going to have to find out if there's another way around it. Here in FL, instead of having to provide a witness to the birth, you can get affidavits from people you know (I think 3), who saw you pregnant, and are willing to say that yes, you were in fact pregnant, it is in fact your baby etc. I have no idea about NC, but my advice is to see if there is something else you can do instead. Maybe you could find the info online. Or else, call the records lady back and say there wasn't anyone else there, so what now?! I'm surprised your midwife is unable to do it since she (I assume) saw you during pregnancy, but just missed the birth. Why can't she file for the certificate for you?

[~Katie~]

I've heard several different things from several different sources. I'm going to have to ask her if we can do something different. My midwife is a CPM, not recognized in NC, which also complicates things. I believe if push comes to shove she can file for me but I think she's a bit hesitant. The ultrasound report proves that I was pregnant but I guess they need someone to say they actually saw this particular baby coming out of my vagina DH did not witness the birth either, but they don't know that

[sweet_tart_vt]

I had never heard before of having to have proof of pregnancy, or witness statements, or ultrasound copies in order to file for your LO's birth cert. I guess every state is different, but man, that's a lot of run-around to deal with isnt it. Esp when you UC. Sorry you have to deal with all that.
I am in VT and have never had to have any "official" paperwork or documentation. We are going for our 4th UC this May and all I have ever done is go down to our town clerk's office a couple days after the birth and tell them I'd like to file for my baby's SS# and Birth certificate. The first time they thought I was the midwife and providing info for the mom (lol), and when I explained to them that it was a "DIY" birth they asked me who "delivered" the baby. I told them "I did", and got some weird looks, but they filed everything and we got our copies in about 3 weeks. I guess each state has different guidelines that you need to follow.

Blessed Be
~Shelby~ babe #7 due 5/16/10 planning our 4th UC waterbirth.

[mpvelaz]

I live in NC also and they told me that all I need was a letter from a reputable source stating that I was pregnant (when I went to get the BC they didn't even ask for the letter). they then had DH sign that he "delivered" the baby. You could probably just get a friend to go with you to sign.

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by mpvelaz

I live in NC also and they told me that all I need was a letter from a reputable source stating that I was pregnant (when I went to get the BC they didn't even ask for the letter). they then had DH sign that he "delivered" the baby. You could probably just get a friend to go with you to sign.

I don't have anyone here who would do that. I'm rather new to this area (and they just relocated me to a brand new neighborhood, in fact) and I'm not close enough with anyone to ask them to do that. One main reason I wanted DH to be here was so we wouldn't have to deal with the hassle. I'm going to call tomorrow and explain the situation, I'm sure this can't be the first time it's come up that someone has legitimately not had anyone actually witness their birth. NC is rather backward about these things.

[~Katie~]

I just looked it up online and all it said was ID, parent's SS#'s, proof of pregnancy OR proof of live birth, and proof of residence. It's up to the vital records office to decide what qualifies as proof of pregnancy and proof of live birth but can include anything from a notarized letter from someone who saw me pregnant to a receipt for a doctor to a picture of me pregnant to the actual baby herself. So I guess it's really up to the person at the records office.

[mauinokaoi]

Have the midwife sign as a witness as a "friend" if she wants to protect herself. You paid her right?

[~Katie~]

Originally Posted by mauinokaoi

Have the midwife sign as a witness as a "friend" if she wants to protect herself. You paid her right?

I'm going to go in tomorrow and talk with them directly since all of this is really up to their discretion, they may choose to just go with what I have since technically it's on the list of things they can accept as proof.