THE EDITOR, Sir:
IN JANUARY 2002 I applied to the Registrar-General's Department (RGD) for a copy of my birth certificate via their Internet online service. I reside in Colorado, USA. Included with this request was information that a friend, whose name and address was submitted to them, would be collecting the certificate on my behalf. In February I sent an e-mail to the RGD requesting an update on the status of my request. This was done after a visit by my friend to the RGD produced no useful information on the status of my request.
In late February I received an e-mail notification from the RGD that my birth certificate was now available and could be picked up. I notified my friend and his visit to the RGD ended in dismal failure, as the document was not available. On a subsequent visit last week my birth certificate was available, but my friend was informed that the cost for the six copies is $1,150! Upon his query, as I had informed him that it would be ONE copy at a cost of $450, he was informed that for Internet (overseas?) request a minimum of six copies are prepared at the above quoted cost.
I went back to the RGD's web site to check if I had missed this crucial piece of information, but could not find any such notification! I can infer some logic to preparing more than one copy for overseas applicant (the RGD experience may be that overseas applicants reapply for additional copies after a first request), but six copies! And how was the cost computed? The RGD web site lists $450 for the first copy and $40 for each additional copy, this would mean $650 for six copies.
In the event that no reasonable response is obtained from the RGD I will assume that in a similar manner in which vendors are free to take over the streets of the city with disregard for basic law and order, and with apparent approval of the authorities, the RGD can exercise its contempt for the people, with the approval of the Government.
I am etc.,
EMANUEL GRANT
grante@cs.colostate.edu
500 W. Prospect Road
Ft. Collins
Colorado
