Question: The state Department of Health used to issue wallet-size, laminated, notarized birth certificates. I had one until recently, when my wallet was stolen. It is much more convenient to have that than the paper version. I am, and I am sure others are, willing to pay for the convenience of a wallet-size birth certificate. If the cost will be borne by buyers, will the state Department of Health consider issuing those birth certificates again?
Answer: No, not at this point.
The Department of Health discontinued using the wallet-size birth registration cards more than 20 years ago. Even back then a number of state and federal agencies would not accept those cards because only limited information for identification purposes could be put on them, according to state Registrar Alvin Onaka.
For example, the card did not have the name of the cardholder’s parents.
It would not be accepted today by state or federal agencies, in light of concern over identity theft and because of security requirements included in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, from which the requirements of the REAL ID Act were derived, Onaka said.
Some jurisdictions still issue the wallet-size birth certificates, but point out they can be used “for informational purposes only” and not as proof of identification.
Question: I had been receiving reminders about a census survey coming in the mail and finally received it. It’s a 20-page survey, and I thought some of the questions were invasive. Is this for real? I haven’t seen any major news articles about this American Community Survey.
Answer: We periodically are asked about this survey because of its length and request for highly personal information.
But, as we last reported in 2010 — is.gd/rSEPmh — the American Community Survey is part of the U.S. Census Bureau’s ongoing efforts to gather information about the U.S. population.
The decennial Census Survey that most of us are familiar with, conducted every 10 years, is short and meant to get a “snapshot” of the population.
The American Community Survey is aimed at compiling more detailed demographic information and is conducted year-round. It is sent monthly to random addresses nationwide.
We’ve also been asked whether you are required to complete and return the survey. The answer is yes, under Title 13 of the U.S. Code.
Anyone over the age of 18 who “refuses or willfully neglects to complete the questionnaire or answer questions posed by census takers” faces a maximum fine of $5,000, according to the Census Bureau.
For more information about the survey, go to www.census.gov/acs/www or call 800-354-7271.
Mahalo
On March 11 my wife and I went to Honolulu Airport to pick up our vehicle, which we had loaned to family members. The text we received said it was parked on the first level of the international parking garage. Not realizing that the airport had built a third parking structure, I was dropped off at the mainland (overseas) parking structure, which also was for international flights in the past. Walking up and down the different levels and not finding the vehicle was very frustrating. My wife drove into the parking lot to help locate the vehicle. We finally asked B. Ramos, a parking lot security employee, for help. He told us of the new international parking garage and took the license plate of my vehicle to look for it. A few minutes later he came back and drove me to my vehicle. A heartfelt mahalo to Mr. Ramos, a retired HPD officer, who showed us the spirit of aloha still lives. Bless you, Mr. B. Ramos. — Befuddled Seniors
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