Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Lost of identity

Go to the county clerk's office in the county in which you were born. You can write them. Request a 'certified true' copy of your birth certificate. They will charge you a couple of dollars for the copy. If the county clerk's office doesn't keep the records of births, he or she can direct you, or forward your letter to the proper department. Except to get a passport I've never needed my birth certificate. However, it doesn't hurt to start with this document. I wrote and asked for a copy of mine.

Then the most important document to identify your self with is the Social Security card, Go to a Social Security office and register. They'll check their data base to make sure that you are not already registered. If you are already registered, they'll re-issue your Social Security Card. If you're not already registered, they'll issue you a new card. This document plus a photo ID or driver's license is needed to get a job, and open a checking account.

Then you can go to DMV and get a photo ID issued. Until you can afford a car and need a driver's license this will provide you with a photo ID. These documents will be all the identification you'll need.

At that point you'll need an address. A postal box is a good start, and doesn't cost much for a six-month box rental.

Start going to meetings of narcotics anonymous. If you can't find a convenient NA meeting to go to, attend AA meetings.

Be patient and courtious, the clerks have a difficult job. A smile and happy attitude will get you a lot of cooperation from the clerks.