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Legal matters

Legally, is there anything stopping me applying for someone else's birth certificate?

11 replies

freddiefrog · 11/09/2013 10:08

I am a Foster Carer for a 16 year old. They have been with us for nearly a year now.

For all this time we have been waiting for Social Services to provide our FC with their birth certificate.

We need it to open a bank account, to get ID to prove their age (they keep getting charged adult fare on the bus, etc) and a passport - we've already had to put plans for a couple of foreign trips on hold.

6 months ago we got fed up with waiting so I was going to cut out the middle man and order one myself, emailed FC's social worker to tell her of my intention, but was told I'm not allowed to do so, they'll sort it

We're still waiting and are now stuck.

FC is in college and entitled to a full bursary. The course materials fee needs to be paid, they need a bus pass, etc, etc, which is supposed to come out of the bursary. FC needs bank account in own name to get bursary, we need birth certificate/ID to open bank account. No birth certificate - no bank account - no bursary.

It's beyond ridiculous, so I'm on the verge of just ordering the bloody thing and be done with it.

OP posts:
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TeamSouthfields · 11/09/2013 10:10

Just order it !

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NumTumDeDum · 11/09/2013 10:11

I believe it is a document of public record same as a marriage certificate, but a quick phone call to your local register office will soon clarify it for you. No harm in asking.

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StephenFrySaidSo · 11/09/2013 10:11

FC can get it themselves from the pubic records office. and yes you can get it too. there is a fee although i'm not sure what.

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freddiefrog · 11/09/2013 10:19

Thanks!

I always thought it was public record so anyone could do it as well, but social services were insistent that I didn't do it as I don't have parental responsibility.

Oh sod it, if it comes to it we'll tell them FC did it. It's a farce now

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mumtobealloveragain · 11/09/2013 12:48

You definitely don't need permission. Anyone can access public records, you can order a copy of your next door neighbour's birth certificates if you wanted to :)

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RedHelenB · 11/09/2013 17:22

At 16 foster child is old enough to get one by themselves.

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RedHelenB · 11/09/2013 17:22

At 16 foster child is old enough to get one by themselves.

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RedHelenB · 11/09/2013 17:22

At 16 foster child is old enough to get one by themselves.

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freddiefrog · 11/09/2013 19:42

Thanks!

All ordered and hopefully winging its way to us.

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holidaysarenice · 11/09/2013 19:57

My mum ordered me a copy of mine. They didn't ask at all who she was. She could have been bob the builder.

Do it or let ur foster child do it. Unless there is something u don't want her to see.

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FryOneFatManic · 15/09/2013 22:25

I ordered a copy of my grandmother's death certificate, online, and the only query was a section asking why I was ordering it. I simply put that I was researching family history and I had no trouble getting a copy.

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