Planned Parenthood?

[christemo.livejournal.com]

So, we're basically 99.9% sure that I'm pregnant, and we're going to end the pregnancy.
My boyfriend and I are going to the PP in York, PA. I was looking on their website and it says that you have to have a birth certificate and all that jazz. Do you need this to get looked at, or would a drivers license be good enough?
My sweetheart is being amazing and is paying for it, so would he be the one who needs his birth certificate and paystub and stuff like that?
Sorry, I'm 200 miles from home, scared, and well, confused. Thanks ladies (and gents)!!

Comments

[myrcwood-rose.livejournal.com]

They would need your birth certificate, not his regardless of who is paying. They need proof that you are old enough to consent to the procedure without parental permission. If you don't have anything with you but your driver's license I'd advise calling them first to check if it's okay before wasting the trip.

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[chasethefeeling.livejournal.com]

i think the more 'points' of ID you have, the better. if you say 'i don't have a birth certificate but i have a drivers license' you might not get away with it. if you have a drivers license, old school ID with dob, passport etc, they'd probably be more likely to let the birth certificate slide.

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[christemo.livejournal.com]

I've got my drivers license, my school ID has my birthdate on it, I can get papers with my SSN number on it from work.. I just don't have my birth certificate or any way to get to it.

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[chasethefeeling.livejournal.com]

it's definitely a good idea to call ahead and ask if it's okay but make sure they know that you have a few proof of birthdate... thingies.

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[christemo.livejournal.com]

I'm in Maryland right now.. I live in Jersey, born in Pennsylvania, with no car, so there's no way I can get a birth certificate until Christmas.

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[chasethefeeling.livejournal.com]

no rly i get the point.

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[christemo.livejournal.com]

I was just saying I didn't have it. I wasn't trying to rub it in your face. Jeez.

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[chasethefeeling.livejournal.com]

i know, but you said that last comment. i'm trying to offer you advice and you just keep replying with the same thing. but it's your pp problem, not mine!

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[hallwayjulie.livejournal.com]

I think the OP was just kind of puzzling through her situation "aloud", about how she can't get a copy of her birth certificate. I don't think she was trying to shoot down your advice.

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[classical-wolf.livejournal.com]

I agree.

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[chasethefeeling.livejournal.com]

but i was saying "here's how to go about it *without* your birth certificate" and she was replying with "i don't have a birth certificate"...

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[vronwe.livejournal.com]

So what if she replied with the same thing?! It's not gonna kill you. And it's no reason to be rude.

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[chasethefeeling.livejournal.com]

because i was like 'helpful advice' and she was like 'i don't have a birth certificate' and i was like 'helpful advice' and she was like 'but i don't have a birth certificate!' it was irrelevant to my advice and strange that she comes here asking for advice than blatantly ignores it...

(frozen) Maintainer Note: Safe Space Warning

[frolicnaked.livejournal.com]

Hi, mecadon. We're commenting because your attitude and wording do not foster what we consider safe space (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=VaginaPagina_FAQ#What_is_.22Safe_Space.22.3F_What_does_.22empowerment.22_mean.3F) here in the community.

Specifically, when you say, "but it's your pp problem, not mine!" it's incredibly dismissive of and insensitive to the problems the OP is facing now, and it's not at all appropriate for VP.

If you'd like more information on safe space (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=VaginaPagina_FAQ#What_is_.22Safe_Space.22.3F_What_does_.22empowerment.22_mean.3F), please refer to these items in our FAQ (http://www.vaginapagina.com/index.php?title=VaginaPagina_FAQ):

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You are more than welcome to make a post over in contact_vp or to contact us via email (http://www.vaginapagina.com/contact.php) If you'd like to talk more about this matter or clarify any points; we only ask that you refrain from commenting further here out of respect for the OP. For that reason, replies to this thread will be frozen.

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[indigodye.livejournal.com]

I just had to go through the whole birth-certificate-getting-thing.. Ohio mailed it to me, it just took about 2 weeks. You might not get it in time for the procedure, but it's always good to have around :-D I'm glad I got mine, I've needed it, so you might be able to check if they will mail it to you.

Good luck on everything

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[vronwe.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I think your birth certificate is just good to have around all the time, in case of emergencies. Make sure you keep it safe though, and have lots of copies.

[otherrootbeer.livejournal.com]

You can always order a copy of your birth certificate from your state department. (At least you can in my state).

[nightchild01.livejournal.com]

We had to do that for me (dad lost my origional x_X) and it took 5 weeks to get to my house.

[whiterabit.livejournal.com]

I dont know what part of Maryland you are in but I am from Maryland and know several PP's that offer abortion in the state of Maryland, or the state funded abortion clinics called something along thelines of Women's Pregnancy Clinics or something.

Why go so far bb?

[christemo.livejournal.com]

I'm in Emmitsburg.. which is like, 20 minutes from Gettysburg, PA... so it would actually be closer going to York.

[mycolorfulheart.livejournal.com]

I would call and ask at the PP when you set up your appointment, and tell them you won't be able to get a copy of your birth certificate. I had an appointment to get new birth control with them a little while back, and didn't need anything but my ID.

[shyshutterbug.livejournal.com]

I agree with everyone else that calling PP and explaining the situation to them would be the best idea.

I don't work at a PP, so I won't speak for their policy, but we require a government-issued photo ID for the patient (i.e. driver's license or passport - something that says she is who she says she is and is old enough to legally consent for the procedure) and a photo ID of some kind for any escorts (for security only). The only time we really require a birth certificate is if the patient is a minor, to prove that the adult saying s/he's the patient's guardian really is (we've got parental consent laws and all that jazz in Texas).

When in doubt, though, go in with as many forms of ID as possible. Call your Bureau of Vital Statistics (look in the blue pages of the phone book) to get a copy of your birth certificate - they'll usually hook you right up, esp. if you say it's time-sensitive, or that you need it for medical reasons.

Good luck!

[atalanta0jess.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend that you just call and ask them. Get the name of the person you are talking too as well, just in case.

[starpolish.livejournal.com]

I would call and ask them. As far as I know in most situations where you may need a birth certificate a social security card and a gov't issued ID like a passport or driver's license will work as well. Calling them would be best, I'm sure they'd be happy to answer this question so there is less hassle when you actually go in.

[frankie-cat.livejournal.com]

the birth certificate may be needed as proof of citizenship; I know that at the Portland area PPs, you now need proof of citizenship or legal status, although possibly only if you are trying to qualify for their financial assistance program. I used my passport in that case.

but yeah, obviously, as others have suggested, you'll really need to call and find out exactly what's needed. I wish you good luck!