Question for Birthers re state rights

[Anonymous]

Let's say hypothetically I live in the state of, say, Hawaii. Or maybe its Maine. Or perhaps Florida.

I give birth at home to a baby. No one witnesses the birth. Or maybe my sister, a lay midwife does. (or she says she does).

I go to apply for a birth certificate for my baby a few days later. Or maybe a few weeks later.

[Anonymous]

Sorry -- posted too soon!

OK, each state has its own regulations for issuing birth certificates -- to prove that the child really was born in the place where you the mom say the child was born.

Is that OK? Can we leave it up to each state to decide for itself what proof it needs to issue a certificate of live birth?

because I'm thinking we need some federal regulation of this whole birth certificate thing. We shouldn't leave these decidions up to the states anymore -- having seen how much fuss y'all kicked up over Obama's birth certificate.

[Anonymous]

It's just a media game. Politics is a dirty word.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's say hypothetically I live in the state of, say, Hawaii. Or maybe its Maine. Or perhaps Florida.

I give birth at home to a baby. No one witnesses the birth. Or maybe my sister, a lay midwife does. (or she says she does).

I go to apply for a birth certificate for my baby a few days later. Or maybe a few weeks later.

Let's say, hypothetically, all of this happens and you have no proof. You might be up a creek without a paddle. If you actually gave birth in the US then there should be some medical proof, blood, placenta, umbilical cord, somewhere, even if you give birth in a Unibomber cabin, so maybe you could prove it by the mess that would still be in your hut or lean to. Stupid question.

[Anonymous]

It not a stupid question. I would be curious to know what "proof" a state requires before issuing a birth certificate in the case of a child who is born at home (something that is happening quite regularly these days).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let's say hypothetically I live in the state of, say, Hawaii. Or maybe its Maine. Or perhaps Florida.

I give birth at home to a baby. No one witnesses the birth. Or maybe my sister, a lay midwife does. (or she says she does).

I go to apply for a birth certificate for my baby a few days later. Or maybe a few weeks later.

I was curious, so I look it up. I found information on one state (Ohio) and you for a law midwife's statement would not suffice. In the absense of the licenses medical professional (dentist counts) you would need to supply PKU test results. No requirement that you present the baby itself or any "proof of the mess you made".

[Anonymous]

OP here. Foer example, here is how the state of AZ handles the registration of birth after 7 days and up to 1 year after the child was born:

http://www.naphsis.org/index.asp?bid=1304

Requirements for Late Registration (More than 7 days but less than 1 year)

If a child’s birth is being registered more than 7 days but less than 1 year after birth, a parent may register their child’s birth by submitting the following documents:

1. The mother, father, family member, physician, nurse or midwife registering the birth must provide a completed Certificate of Live Birth form signed by informant and attendant.

2. A government-issued I.D. of the parent or family member registering a home birth

3. Document proving the mother was present in Arizona during the month and year of the child’s birth

a. Examples include:

i. Medical record, a utility bill, public assistance document, etc.

1. The document must show the month and year in which the child was born with the mother’s name and address

2. The document must show the date it was established

4. Document proving the child was present in Arizona during the month and year of the their birth

a. Examples include:

i. Medical record, church record, public assistance document, etc.

1. The document must show the month and year in which the child was born with the mother’s name and address

2. The document must show the date it was established

5. If the parents are not married, an Acknowledgement of Paternity or Court-Ordered Paternity must be submitted before the father can be added to the birth certificate.

Shouldn't all states have the same requirements? Don't you think the fedefral government should take over the regisgtration of live births and the issuing of birth certificates? How can we leave this important documentation up to each individual state?

[Anonymous]

OP again -- or perhaps to prove natural born citizenship, we need to require all births to take place in a state or federally approved hospital/birthing center?