Pennsylvania Waiving Birth Certificate Fees For Homeless

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's governor is announcing that the state will no longer charge homeless people a $20 fee in order to obtain their birth certificates. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf announced the policy change on Monday during a news conference on efforts to help vulnerable people in the state.

Wolf says the fee can be a barrier to helping homeless people obtain jobs or qualify for government services.

A similar waiver for Pennsylvanians seeking help for substance use disorders has provided free birth certificates to 3,530 people since the start of 2018.

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