Lawyers and Armchair Lawyers of DCUM - what say you?

[Anonymous]

Weird birth certificate issue and trying to understand the path of least resistance. DH is 1st gen American and was born and raised in Silver Spring. Parents were very low literacy to “someone” at the hospital filled out the birth registration document with his nickname as his middle name. Similar to being named Robert Rob Smith. He’s had a passport pretty much his whole life and has always used it as his ID (for Real ID, I-9 etc.). I saw his birth certificate probably over 30 years ago at his parent’s house and it looked odd as the middle name was struck out (did not look like a handwritten strike out though).

Fast forward, in laws passed away and due to inheritance stuff, he is obtaining citizenship in their home country. Citizenship is only by blood, not soil, so not onerous at all but the embassy needs his birth certificate with Apostille and his family’s registration document from their village. Then he goes to the Consulate, shows his documents plus US Passport and the deed is done.

We got a copy of the birth certificate from Maryland and his middle name has been removed. Called and he has no middle name in the system. Told that an employee needs to retrieve the original from the “vault” to see what’s going on and they will call back in 1-2 days. Of course, that was weeks ago, many calls, no one ever calls back. We live across the country now so not really particle to show up in person (that’s last resort). The problem is, the passport and birth certificate do not match as the passport does have the middle name, and they do need to match.

DH could care less about his middle name one way or the other. What is the easiest path
1. Maryland said he could file a name change with the court to get it added back – seems like with a court order they would generate a “new” birth certificate for him. We’re worried that will take forever and really would prefer not to do that.
2. Continue to deal with Maryland and hope they figure it out
3. Request a new passport that reflects only his first and last name to match the birth certificate we have in hand. Is “Maryland dropped my middle name for some reason and now I need my passport to match my birth certificate” even a valid reason? He would have to update his driver's license too.

The concern is his whole life has been Robert Rob Smith as his legal name on military records, Social Security, passport, mortgage, etc. Apologize for the length, but hoping there’s insight out there.

[Anonymous]

As a lawyer I’d tell you to go to court and do it the right way.

As a person, I would personally do it the right way.

As an internet rando, I would remind you there is truth in the adage that short cuts make for long delays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a lawyer I’d tell you to go to court and do it the right way.

As a person, I would personally do it the right way.

As an internet rando, I would remind you there is truth in the adage that short cuts make for long delays.

The latter is +1

[Anonymous]

Call your state rep’s office and see if they can help you get the birth certificate issue resolved without getting a court involved. They have liaisons that get answers and results more quickly than you can alone.

[Anonymous]

How did he get into the military with this birth certificate issue?

We had a similar issue but with Virginia. We just kept calling and finally it got fixed. In our case, they issued it without a mother and only a father was listed. I gave birth in a hospital! Lol I remember being there. I also reviewed it before it was sent off and I was on there. My insurance refused to cover the baby since I wasn’t on the birth certificate. Finally got fixed at month 10.

[Anonymous]

That poor employee who died in the vault.

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that SSA doesn't care about middle names at all. Is it on his social security card? You may not have to deal with them at least.

[Anonymous]

I'd go to court and file yourself but it will be a hassle as you have to get all the other records changed and the military will be the worst. We adopted so it was a name change with the adoption but we had issues with the military and years later its still not in there correctly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call your state rep’s office and see if they can help you get the birth certificate issue resolved without getting a court involved. They have liaisons that get answers and results more quickly than you can alone.

This

[Anonymous]

IMO No. 1 is the path of least resistance, closely followed by show up in person to track down the original.

I don't know why a name change would take a long time. It's uncontested, almost administrative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call your state rep’s office and see if they can help you get the birth certificate issue resolved without getting a court involved. They have liaisons that get answers and results more quickly than you can alone.

This

OP doesn't live in MD anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Call your state rep’s office and see if they can help you get the birth certificate issue resolved without getting a court involved. They have liaisons that get answers and results more quickly than you can alone.

This

OP doesn't live in MD anymore.

Point that PP was making is contact your state's rep whatever state that may be, they can guide you

[Anonymous]

Get a new passport

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That poor employee who died in the vault.

lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Call your state rep’s office and see if they can help you get the birth certificate issue resolved without getting a court involved. They have liaisons that get answers and results more quickly than you can alone.

This. 2 while preparing for 1.