homebirth and passports... something to be aware of...

[Dmitrizmom]

Don't know if this is the right forum to post this, but it does most directly impact this group.

The government is proposing a change to passport applications.  Please read through section C as it will pertain to any homeborn person applying for a passport:  http://papersplease.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ds5513-proposed.pdf

Comments can be made by the public until Monday night here:

http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOS-2011-0055-0001  click on submit comment at the top.

Edited by Dmitrizmom - 4/24/11 at 7:05am

[CookAMH]

Thanks.  Any idea of the implications of this?

ETA: how on earth would the applicant be able to answer the dates of their mother's prenatal appts?

[Dmitrizmom]

It will either delay passport issuance or make it much harder for home born persons to prove that they are natural citizens of the United States and get a passport.  At least, that's my read on things.  I've already commented on the page - I addressed the feasibility of providing some of the information they want to require and questioned their time estimate (45 minutes!!! - for the whole application).  Also addressed the issue of religious discrimination by requesting documents of a religious nature as verification.  Bear in mind that the initial application already requires you to give SSN, a copy of your birth certificate, and (typically) a copy of your driver's license.  If these proofs are sufficient for institutionally born persons, why not for home born persons?

[gingerbane]

N/M

[PunkElmo]

are you f-ing kidding me? is this for real?

I'll be applying for a passport for the kiddo (due in less than 2 weeks) in time for a trip to Scotland for my brother-in-law's wedding in July...

I already have issues with giving as much information as they ask for (SSN should not be required!) - now they want my employment and residence history!? oy.

I wonder if this would have to be filled out EACH time you renew the kiddo's passport (since the renewal is not "easy" like an adult passport - both parents have to show up for a minor's renewal as well - ugh!)

ETA: it looks like this is the ADULT form - wtf?! yeah, like most adults know information about exactly who was at their birth and when the prenatal appointments were, and... wow.

Also, no reason anyone should have to give address, employment, education etc. histories to get a passport. those things don't prove citizenship. OY!

Edited by PunkElmo - 4/24/11 at 7:21am

[Kristin0105]

Link number 2 above leads to a page that says the document does not exist.

[Dmitrizmom]

ok.. that's bizarre - I clicked on the link and it comes up as does not exist.  But if I cut and paste, it does come up.

[miriam]

All of my children were born at home and all of them have passports and have never had problems traveling overseas.  

I was born at home also, I have had a passport continuously for 40 years, and have traveled and lived overseas.  

No problems.

AS for prenatal visits, my children have those records also. No big deal. 

[Karma Jack]

  Please use the public commentary note above, and help get the word out via FB, tweet, etc!

I was born at home, and my parents did not dot all their i's etc- so I know how badly the system is flawed already. It took me and my parents years of red tape to get my "delayed birth certificate" and even once I got it I was repeatedly denied the opportunity to get a driver's licence, passport, etc. Upon analyzing this proposed form- it would make it impossible for me to ever get a passport again (my old one is now expired) and it worries me, as I am about to have a daughter of my own... via home birth.

[Karma Jack]

  Please use the public commentary note above, and help get the word out via FB, tweet, etc!

I was born at home, and my parents did not dot all their i's etc- so I know how badly the system is flawed already. It took me and my parents years of red tape to get my "delayed birth certificate" and even once I got it I was repeatedly denied the opportunity to get a driver's licence, passport, etc. Upon analyzing this proposed form- it would make it impossible for me to ever get a passport again (my old one is now expired) and it worries me, as I am about to have a daughter of my own... via home birth.

You may submit comments by any of the following methods:Show citation box

• E-mail: [e-mail]. Show citation box
• Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM submissions): Alexys Garcia, U.S. Department of State, 2100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Room 3031, Washington, DC 20037.Show citation box
• Fax: [phone].Show citation box
• Hand Delivery or Courier: Alexys Garcia, U.S. Department of State, 2100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Room 3031, Washington, DC 20037.Show citation box

You must include the DS form number (if applicable), information collection title, and OMB control number in any correspond

[aspenbrooke]

So . . . the President of the United States doesn't have to release his birth certificate, yet a home-born child would have to document a ridiculous amount of information regarding the circumstances of his or her birth to be considered worthy of one of the privileges of citizenship? Sheesh . . .

I really hope this is a joke.

[broodymama]

Commented.  Grrrrr!

The comment link in the OP didn't work when clicked because there was an extra space after it, try this one: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOS-2011-0055-0001

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by aspenbrooke 

So . . . the President of the United States doesn't have to release his birth certificate, yet a home-born child would have to document a ridiculous amount of information regarding the circumstances of his or her birth to be considered worthy of one of the privileges of citizenship? Sheesh . . .

?? Really?

Come on...............

[Marissamom]

um, wow. I would have to get a copy of my file from the midwife in order to get the dates of all my appointments, there's no way either my fiance or I could get all this information about our home births. 

[AlexisT]

Someone wrote to the state department and got the following reply:

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/969262/41272500#c60

The DS-5513 is not a standard part of the passport application and is not going to be. It's only for people who don't provide sufficient documentation of citizenship.

[Italiamom]

"The Biographical Questionnaire for a U.S. Passport, form DS-5513, is not designed to replace the standard DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport, but rather to supplement the DS-11 only when the applicant submits citizenship or identity evidence that is insufficient to meet his/her burden of proving citizenship or identity."

My question is, would not being born in the hospital qualify as "evidence that is insufficient to meet his/her burden of proving citizenship"?  Or are they only requesting this information if you don't have a birth certificate, driver's license, etc.?  I'm guessing that this would be the case, but the response doesn't actually specify...