Description

I recently used the Alabama Department Of Public Health, Center For Health Statistics website to order a copy of my birth certificate. I was directed to the VitalChek website and charged $58.50, however I did not receive a certified birth certificate. Instead I received a Certificate of Failure to Find along with a letter stating that no record was found and that this certificate could be used, along with other documentation, instead of a birth certificate to file for such things as an ID or SSI benefits. However, when I presented this at the county DMV to get an ID made they told me they had never heard of this form. They called the Health Department next door to ask and was told the same thing and that I could not use it. My question is this: what kind of scam are they pulling here? They take my money and give me a worthless piece of paper that they say I can use, just to be told that no, in fact, I can not use it. Why would they lie and send a letter saying that this certificate can be used when it can not?