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Post by manne on Sept 8, 2007 13:43:20 GMT -5
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Post by Pat on Sept 29, 2007 17:37:02 GMT -5
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Post by Pat on Sept 30, 2007 9:48:34 GMT -5
There is a place on the Vital Statistics website where you can e-mail to submit questions for FAQ. I sent the following:
1. To Whom and to what address do I submit my application? Will there be an application form? If not, what information is needed for the request to be processed?
2. Do I have to wait until December 3 to apply?
3. What constitutes proof of identity? I have an amended birth certificate and a photo driver's license. I am married so the last names are different, although the first name, middle initial, and date of birth match. Do I need a marriage certificate too?
4. What and how much are the fees? To Whom do I make out the check?
5. How long shall I expect to wait for a response? Is there someone I can contact for a status on the progress of my request?
6. Section 2B (a) uses the language "birth certificate". Section 2B (b) uses the language "birth record". Is there a difference between "birth certificate" and "birth record"? Is more information available then just a birth certificate?
If I see the answers pop up on their website, I'll post them.
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Susan The MA Registry
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Post by Susan The MA Registry on Oct 27, 2007 20:55:37 GMT -5
;D Thank you for writing joining in this topic Pat! Your research is appreciated in a huge way. I have been out straight the last month and unable to address this more directly
I hope the answers to the questions that you asked are answered. They were great questions.
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Post by Pat on Nov 27, 2007 15:22:54 GMT -5
Yippee. Today is November 27 and the Mass Vital Statistics website has finally been updated with instructions about getting original birth records. They expect very heavy traffic over the next weeks so have created some limitations. They are only taking applications by mail or walk-in, no fax, phone, or internet requests, and walk-in's can not expect to get their records that day. Requests will be processed in the order in which they come. They will not accept any applications until December 5 - next Wednesday. They are warning that requests could take as much as 120 days to process.  If you are applying for your own records, you will need to have been born prior to 7-14-74, and provide a copy of a current government issued driver's license and original certified birth certificate and name change docs such as a marriage certificate if applicable. They promise to return the originals. If you apply by mail, the application must be notarized. Fees are $28 for mail app and $18 for a walk-in app but they note that in addition parking is $2/hour. If you are applying for a parent or a child's records, additional docs are required. The application is available at: www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/vital_records/pre_adoption_app_form.pdf They haven't set up a registry yet due to lack of funding. |
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Post by Eileen Whitman on Dec 8, 2007 10:06:28 GMT -5
;DToday is December 8th, and my girlfriend went to get her records..She got her real birth certificate with her birth mothers name..WOOHOOO I hope we can find her birth family..
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Post by applelucynot on Dec 11, 2007 20:18:21 GMT -5
So what does this mean for people who were born after the date in 1974? I was born in 1977, so obviously this new law doesn't apply to me (which, IMHO, someone should clearly state alongside the big announcement that records are now open, because I don't know if I cried more when I first thought I'd be able to find some answers or when I found out it doesn't apply to me). How would I go about a court order to get my records opened?
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Post by aprilgirl on Dec 12, 2007 17:17:02 GMT -5
To obtain identifying or non-identifying information you need to go to the courthouse in the county your adoption was handled and ask a Judge. (At least I had to in Middlesex County) Non ID info can help sometimes because the clerks can (or do) make mistakes. You'll have to make your case if you want Identifying info though. There are so many roadblocks in a search, I sympathize with those that will not be able to see this information and to those that got their hopes up!
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Post by Pat on Dec 13, 2007 8:09:40 GMT -5
applelucynot, if you know what agency handled your adoption, you might try them. If your birth mother put a note in your file that it's ok for you to contact her, they might just give you the information. My friend's adopted daughter did that with Catholic Charities. Sadly, when she called the woman, a very nasty man answered and told her never to call that number. So, yes, there are roadblocks everywhere.
I went to the Registry of Vital Statistics on the 11th and got my original birth record. It was not crowded and took very little time. The Registry was very easy to find. It's right off exit 15 on I-93 in South Boston/Dorchester, near the old Columbia Point housing project. The building is in lockdown. You need to go up to the door and ring a bell and a guard in the lobby will buzz you in. Then you have to sign a log before going to the registry office.
I first needed to apply for a copy of my marriage certificate to explain the change from the name on my corrected birth certificate to the one on my drivers license. So the gentleman who waited on me completed that whole transaction including the $18 payment and once he retrieved the marriage certificate, he accepted the application for original birth record.
We went into a private room. I didn't really care but they are very careful about maintaining privacy. The guy told me that it was a new law and they weren't real familiar with it so they were being very cautious. He took photo copies of my license, marriage certificate, and birth certificate along with the application and came back a few minutes later with the original document. He apologized for taking so long. I told him I was delighted, that I thought it would take weeks. He said that requests had been lighter than they expected so right now, in most cases, they can handle it right away but they are expecting to have more requests as time goes on so don't "tell all your friends" to expect same day service.
The document was both exciting and disappointing. Exciting because it had my mother's name and her address in 1948 when I was born, my original name, my birth year, and because my birthday didn't change. I always wondered if they changed that too. It also listed the adoption agency which was something else I never knew so not even non-identifying information was available to me. It was disappointing in that there was no information at all about my father, not so much as his name.
When I got home, I went on line. I couldn't find a current record for my mother under her maiden name so she must have got married but I found the family in the 1930 census. My grandfather, grandmother, my 4-1/2 year old mother and great grandfather were all living at the address on my original birth certificate. I also found my grandfather's 1976 death record in the social security death index. So, as soon as I can, I am going to the library to see if I can find an obituary that would hopefully have the names of all pertinent family members. Failing that, I believe I can go back to the Registry of Vital Statistics and look through marriage and birth indices.
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Post by Rich on Dec 26, 2007 16:02:12 GMT -5
I sent my notarized application in a couple of weeks ago.
Has anyone that has requested by mail, received a response yet?
Thanks!
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Post by Aprilgirl on Dec 31, 2007 11:30:42 GMT -5
Yes, yippie!
I sent certified mail that arrived on 12/8 and just got it back at the post office today, they actually tried to Deliver Sat 29th, but I wasn't home. So it ook them 21 days for processing mine once it arrived. Hope this helps....
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Post by Rich on Dec 31, 2007 12:55:30 GMT -5
Thanks! That's great to know....not too long all.
Good luck with the information that you received.
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Post by Alana on Jan 2, 2008 13:35:45 GMT -5
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Post by afrknqn42 on Mar 10, 2008 16:11:24 GMT -5
;D I am so happy to hear about this I am headed for Boston on April 7th(my birthday) to try and get my birth certificate.What a wonderful gift.Thank you Deval Patrick.
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Post by blueyesw on Mar 14, 2009 21:02:39 GMT -5
I was late in reading this. I sent for my record on Feb 2 2009 and it took about 6 weeks to receive it. but they are finally here. Again, no father information just my mother's information. And i have not been able to locate anything about her online. Her home at the time of my birth has turned into an intersection! lol. I now know what time of day and the correct hospital that i was born and my name! Its a start.
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