Q: My parents are withholding my birth certificate and Social security card, can I get the police to return these to me?
I reached out to my parents to ask for my birth certificate and social security card, the original copies, I am 21, and they are refusing to give them to me. So I am considering having the police remove the documents from their house and return them to me, is this legal? I live in Lancaster PA, but my parents live in Berks, PA.
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A:
If your parents are withholding your birth certificate and Social Security card, you have the right to request these documents, especially since you are an adult at 21. These are personal documents that belong to you, and you should have access to them. In this situation, it’s important to try to communicate clearly and calmly with your parents to see if they will agree to return them.
However, involving the police to retrieve these documents can be complicated. The police may not intervene in what they see as a civil matter or family dispute unless there is a clear case of theft or fraud. Instead, they might suggest resolving the issue through negotiation or civil court rather than forcefully entering your parents' home.
You could consider contacting a legal aid organization or a lawyer to discuss the best course of action. They can help you understand your rights and potentially guide you in sending a formal request for your documents. If your parents still refuse, there may be a way to get certified copies of your birth certificate from the state and a replacement Social Security card directly from the Social Security Administration.
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