How to Get a Birth Certificate Without a Birth Record: Robert’s Story

From a childhood in foster care to years spent in the justice system, Robert had navigated state systems for most of his life. That’s why he was shocked when the state of Michigan said there was no record of his birth. 

The timing couldn’t have been worse. Robert had just moved to Ohio and needed a state ID to work, but in order to apply for a birth certificate, he needed a state ID. 

Robert’s parents passed away in 2012, and as far as Robert and his siblings knew (and his school records confirmed), he was born in Michigan in 1975. But without a birth certificate, the only way to prove his identity was to gather the documents he did have and present them to a judge, which required hiring a lawyer. 

Money was tight, but Robert and his wife managed to scrape together enough to hire an attorney who could advise them on what to do next. His first step was traveling to Florida to collect his medical and school records. When Robert returned with the documents he needed for court, his lawyer required an additional payment before they could schedule a hearing. But with little income and no way to pay more legal fees, Robert hit a dead end. He sent in the paperwork he had to Michigan’s Vital Records department, but his request for a birth certificate was denied. 

Luckily, after some research online, Robert’s wife, Rachel, discovered an organization that could help: VoteRiders. Rachel called VoteRiders’ Voter ID Helpline, and shortly after, an Ohio-based VoteRiders volunteer called her back to learn more about the challenges Robert was facing. Even with VoteRiders on board, getting Robert’s birth certificate was not a straightforward process. 

At first, it seemed that Robert would have to travel all the way back to his hometown in Michigan to even begin the birth certificate process. But then, everything changed. 

VoteRiders called the County Clerk’s Office where Robert was born and spoke to a helpful team of clerks and registrars who figured out what Robert needed to do to get his birth certificate and exactly how to do it. To avoid a long and costly trip to Michigan, they were even able to secure Robert a Zoom meeting with the Probate Court Judge. 

Finally, when before the judge, Robert presented his Social Security card, along with other identifying documents, including his medical and school records. The judge quickly determined that Robert was, in fact, Robert, and issued a court order directing Michigan’s Vital Records Office to create his birth certificate.  

“I’m in the system,” Robert explained. “Any judge in his right mind would hear the case and be like, ‘Why is this guy having such a problem getting his birth certificate?’ I just needed some doors open, and that’s what VoteRiders did—they got me in front of a judge.” 

Today, after nearly fifty years, Robert finally has a birth certificate — the key to getting the ID he needs to secure stable work and cast a ballot in Ohio in 2026 and every election after that. 

If you or someone you know needs ID information or assistance, call or text our Voter ID Helpline at 866-432-8643 or visit VoteRiders.org/help to learn more.

Erin Carden is VoteRiders’ Digital Communications Coordinator. 

December 19, 2025.