You spin me right round baby right round

The NYC department of vital statistics has my head spinning right round this afternoon. Who knew that the hardest part of adopting would be getting a birth certificate!? Correction - *sealed* birth certificate....because I certainly have enough copies of our birth certificates by now. I'm going to be able to wall paper our living room with them soon.

After being transferred and being told to call different numbers EIGHT times, I finally got to a lady who could tell me how to get a sealed copy. They make it very easy for you (note the sarcasm there...). If you were born in New York, in one of the 5 boroughs, take note:

1st, you have to request a long form birth certificate with a letter of exemplification from the Department of Health. 212.788.4500.

2nd, you get that, then mail it allllll the way back to NY to the NY County Clerk where they will verify the signature on the letter. 646.386.5932.

3rd, you get that back, then mail it all the way back to NY again to the NY State Department of State, Certification Unit. 212.417.5747.

Well that was easy! (banging head against wall) Would it be quicker / easier / cheaper for me to fly there and courier the request around the city myself?

grumble grumble grumble....

Costs: $33.00