questions & answers

Question: A few days before I turned 18, my adopted family of 4 years kicked me out and dropped me off at my birth mothers house. (Who is not capable of taking care of me) they didn't even give me a quarter of my belongings and I also didn't receive any of my documents (I.e birth certificate, social security card, etc) this has caused me many problems in the year since dealing with trying to get a car, registering for college and other things. In order to get new documents, I need to have other documents and I have none. Is there something I can legally do?

Answer: Your particular situation is difficult to assess. The adoption agency with which your placement was done may have some documents pertaining to your identity. The adoption agency may have maintained copies of your birth certificate and social security card. Unfortunately to obtain duplicates of a birth certificate, social security card, or identification card you need some sort of proof of identity. One in this situation may also attempt to reach out to the schools they have attended, such as high school. To register for school there must be proof of identity as schools typically request copies of birth certificates. Others may also attempt to seek an attorney to simply request the attorney send a letter to the party who has wronged a person simply asking the offending party return the property belonging to the rightful owner. The lawyer referral service can be found at www.maricopalawyers.org