How can I help my grandmother get her birth certificate?

Question

My grandmother was born in 1931 in a Staten Island hospital. The hospital burnt down shortly after. She has sent away for her birth certificate 3 times and they said there was no record. She has all of her information, including the doctor that delivered her. I am getting married in 8 weeks, on a cruise and it would mean the world to both of us if she could attend. I even called the vital statistics office in New York City, and they said she would have to request a search to be done that would take up to 56 weeks. We don't really have that kind of time. Help!!

Answer 1

When my g-grandparents went to get their passports, they needed a valid birth-certificate. However, their birth was never recorded so there wasn't one on file. By contacting the County office that was in charge of the Birth Certificates, they were able to show three proofs of birth (i.e. Communion certificate, Baptism certificate, Organization Membership) and were each issued a birth certificate. I'm not sure how long the process takes, though.

Answer 2

If you or a relative still lives in NYC, you can go down to the record department in person and expedite the situation.  Also,  you can find the certificate on microfilm (where it is most likely stored now) and have it certified.

Check with the department of records for their specific requirements and if you are able to do a search as well.

Also, if it is a passport situation, see if there is something other than a birth certificate that they will accept as verification and documentation to expedite the passport being made.  There should be several documents in which they will have.

The records department might have that information or look up which department you would have to call that would handle over seas traveling.  If you are not certain, check with a local travel agency.  They too might be able to assist you in gathering the documentation together.

Hope this helps you out some!

Congrats on your wedding and I hope your grandmother can attend.

Answer 3

Call your Congressman...state the problem...they can move mountains!

Addendum:  What about the local TV stations?  They sometimes will jump on a personal interest story!  Can't hurt!

Third thought.  My mother (b. Ky. 1902) had no birth certificate.

(None issued at that time.) She obtained the family bible, in order to apply for SS, the family bible record was accepted. (I'm through brainstorming...have a wonderful wedding!)