Q: I'm turning 18 in less than a month and my parents wont give my birth certificate or SSC is this allowed
I'm turning 18 in less than a month and my parents wont give my birth certificate or SSC is this allowed? I would just attempt to get new stuff but I was born in Hawaii which makes it difficult as I live in Illinois now and have no access to any info needed to get new stuff. can my parents really do this?
A:
Your parents withholding these vital documents is not legal - these are your personal identification documents that you have the right to possess. While they might have been the custodians of these documents during your childhood, they cannot legally prevent you from accessing them once you're an adult.
You can take several immediate steps. First, contact your local police department to report the withholding of your documents, as this could be considered a form of identity theft or documentation abuse. You might also reach out to your school counselor or a trusted adult who can help advocate for you in this situation.
Even without your current documents, you can still begin the process of obtaining new ones. Contact the Hawaii Department of Health's vital records office - they can help you request a new birth certificate, even from Illinois. For your Social Security card, visit the Social Security Administration's website or local office. They have procedures in place to help people in situations like yours, and they can work with you to verify your identity through other means. If you need immediate assistance, consider contacting Illinois Legal Aid for free guidance on retrieving your documents.
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