Newborn birth certificate (Chicago, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows: exemption, authority, suburban)

[dafoe]

I am trying to get birth certificate for my newborn (he is 3 weeks old). We need to make an overseas trip soon and need to apply for passport.

The problem is procedure to issue birth certificates seems to have changed recently. So c(r)ook county is now responsible for issuing these certificates. When I applied for the BC yesterday they told me to wait for 3 months. 3 months to produce a piece of paper?

Anybody facing the same situation? Any way around to that? Thanks.

[myrc60]

Did you actually go downtown to get it? I don't think the procedure has changed; I've always gotten them from Cook County but I usually went to the office and physically picked them up because I worked down there. Try looking online for the department's website; it should say how you can obtain copies of them.

[dafoe]

Thank you for your help. My baby was actually born in suburban Chicago in Park Ridge. Can I still get the birth certificate from downtown?

[JustJulia]

Here's the Cook County website for that. Lots of information there.

Cook County Clerk's Office | Birth Certificates (http://www.cookctyclerk.com/sub/birth_certificates.asp - broken link)

[dafoe]

@JustJulia

Yes, I have been to that link last week. Then went to Rolling Meadows facility and they told me to wait three months.

[purplesky]

My kids were also born in Park Ridge at LGH...I'm not sure that you need a passport for a newborn. My son was 2 when we took him to Canada and they didn't require a passport. I dont' remember if they required the birth certificate or not...

[dafoe]

Well yes, you do not need a passport to go to Canada nor Mexico, but you do need it elsewhere, especially where we are going (Hong Kong).

[LuckyGem]

Originally Posted by dafoe

Well yes, you do not need a passport to go to Canada nor Mexico, but you do need it elsewhere, especially where we are going (Hong Kong).

The laws changed on June 1, 2009 and all US citizens, adults and children are required to use a Passport, or Passport card when travelling to Mexico or Canada. If you are travelling to Hong Kong you will definitely need a passport.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

You may want to contact the State Department - US Passport Office in your region to find out if they will accept any document in lieu of a certified copy of the child's birth certificate in order to issue the passport. I doubt that they will issue on anything except the certified copy from the county (or issuing authority). But it may be worth a try just to double check and make certain.

[lakecountylifer]

YES you need a passport. There is no exemption for newborns or Canada/Mexico, etc. From age 1 minute and beyond, you need a passport to travel outside the United States.

[dafoe]

OK, so anybody know how and where to get a birth certificate before three month period?