Government

Here is an email exchange I recently had with the State of MN.

INITIAL EMAIL TO THE MN DEPT OF HEALTH:

We finalized the adoptions of our youngest two children in September, but we still have not received their new birth certificates. The checks have yet to be cashed, also. I was just informed by the social security office that I cannot get new social security numbers issued to them without a birth certificate. Is there some way to find out where my applications are and when the birth certificates might be issued?

They are for Caleb Alexander *** & Baylee Rayne ***.

Thank You,
Stacie

THEIR RESPONSE:

Ms. ***,
Thank you for your inquiry. We received your paperwork on Oct. 6 and we’re currently reviewing submissions received on Sept. 16. We should be reviewing your submission within the next 2-4 weeks.


John A. ***
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Office of the State Registrar
P.O. Box 64882
St. Paul, MN 55164-0882

MY REPLY:


Thank you for your quick response. Is there any way to expedite those? I was told by the Social Security Office that I cannot get new Social Security numbers for them without the birth certificates, and I cannot file my taxes without the Social Security numbers. If I remember correctly from when my daughter was adopted, it took about 3-4 weeks to get the new Social Security card once I applied for it.

Thanks again for your help!
Stacie

THEIR RESPONSE:

To expedite your request, we require a fee of $20. If you mail us a check, we can get started as soon we receive the check. If you call with a credit card number, we can get started sooner, but we would also require an additional $6 credit card processing fee.

John A. ***
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Office of the State Registrar
P.O. Box 64882
St. Paul, MN 55164-0882

TRANSLATION:

If you actually want us to do our job in a relatively timely manner, you will need to pay us another $26 for each child...in addition to the $56 each that you already paid for the birth certificates.

No wonder government employees have such a bad rap! I really don't get why it takes so long. Considering the fact that although I signed the form & wrote the check, it was the Court Administrator that actually completed & mailed in the forms. That works for the same judge who granted the adoption, so really, what is it they have to check?

I have to say, the Social Security Admin also makes me shake my head. (Please note, I am not complaining about the employees at the office in my area, as they have always been extremely nice & helpful. When I got Amata's new number, I was in & out of that office in less than 5 minutes!) But, according to them, if I just wanted to change their names on their existing SSA accounts, the certified court documents I already have would be just fine. (Their biological mother has their current numbers...the same biological mother who has a conviction for check forgery charges. She wouldn't think twice about trying to steal their identities. Thus the reason I want new numbers.)

Also, since their biological mother applied for their current SSN's from the hospital, a birth certificate was not required then. But for me to get new numbers for my adopted children, I have to have the physical birth certificates. UGH!!

I refuse to pay another $52 just to get their Birth Certificates a week faster. I guess I'll just have to live with possibly not being able to file my taxes on Feb 1st. (With so many kids and a daycare in our home, we always get a refund, which I like to get as soon as possible.)