Fires Remind us to Protect Essential Documents; My Office Can Help

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten January 17, 2025 | 3:03 PM

PA Representative Danielle Otten banner image

Dear Neighbor,

As the wildfires in California continue to spread and destroy the homes and livelihoods of thousands, my heart is with the families of the 27 people who have been killed and the more than 80,000 who have been told to evacuate their homes. I cannot even begin to imagine the feeling of having to leave your home at a moment’s notice, grabbing the necessities, and leaving the rest behind without knowing if you will ever see your home again.

We are fortunate to live in an area that does not often experience life-threatening or life-changing natural disaster, and it pains me to even think of how I would react in a situation like this. It’s difficult enough to remember where birth certificates, vaccination records, and other documents are located under normal circumstances; now add the stress of being told you need to evacuate your home in 15 minutes.

While I hope that none of us will ever face such a devastating situation, the start of a new year is a good time to take inventory of your personal documents and make sure you and your family are as prepared as possible for the unexpected. Ready.gov offers tips for preparing for unforeseen emergencies, including what essential documents you should carry with you if you need to leave your home.

If you find that you are missing any important documents or records, my office is here to help!

Here are just a few of the items my office can help you obtain from the state:

Birth Certificates
Looking to get a driver’s license or apply for a REAL ID before the May 2025 deadline? In order to apply for an initial driver’s license, REAL ID, or U.S. passport, you will need a state-issued birth certificate.

My office can help you complete and submit the application so that your birth certificate is returned to you in a more timely fashion. The cost is $20 per birth certificate, payable to Vital Records. (The funds go directly to the Vital Records office within the Department of Health. My office never charges a fee for any service we provide.)

You also have the option to apply online for your birth certificate, which carries an additional $10 processing fee to a third-party vendor.
Death Certificates
When you lose a family member, you will need to provide a death certificate to claim certain policies or assets and take care of other business related to their estate. Death certificates are also required for Unclaimed Property claims filed by the heirs or executors of a deceased property owner.

My office can help you complete and submit the application for a death certificate, which, like a birth certificate, requires a $20 fee payable to Vital Records.

You also have the option to complete an online application, which has the $20 fee plus an additional $10 processing fee.
Vehicle Registrations
If you’ve lost or misplaced your vehicle title or registration, my office can help you find and submit the necessary forms to obtain a duplicate.
Immunization Records
Are you starting a new job or registering a student for school? Then you may need a copy of your immunization record.

In most cases, your doctor’s office should be able to provide these records for you, but you also have the option to request a copy from the state by completing and mailing the paper application or completing the online application. As a Pennsylvania resident, you can request a copy of your immunization records at no cost.

Federal documents:
For assistance with replacing Social Security cards, passports, immigration documents, or military service records, our U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan and her staff can help.

Official marriage certificates and proof of name change:
If your current name differs from the name on your birth certificate, you will need to provide proof of the name change in order to apply for a REAL ID or passport.

For name changes due to a marriage, you will need an official marriage certificate from the county in which you were married. (For Chester County, contact the Clerk of the Orphans Court.) For other name change questions, please visit the PennDOT REAL ID website, or contact my office for assistance, and we will work to connect you with the appropriate office or agency.

Are you signed up for ReadyChesco alerts?
ReadyChesco is a free, customizable subscription service used by Chester County Emergency Services and municipalities throughout the county to send out emergency alerts and public safety information. It takes just a few minutes to sign up or to update your contact information if you've recently moved, canceled your landline phone, or switched mobile phone numbers.

You can select the types of alerts you want to receive (emergency response incidents, severe weather, etc.), and you can choose to be notified about multiple locations, to receive notifications about alerts near your home, work, and your children’s schools, for example.

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact our district office at RepOtten@PaHouse.net.

2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period NOW OPEN

The 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period is now open and accepting application for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2024.

Thanks to changes we made in 2023, more people are eligible, with income limits adjusted to keep pace with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has made it easier for seniors in Chester County to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!

For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications will be available in my office soon, and we will update here when they come in.

LIHEAP Applications are Available!

The application process for the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open!

LIHEAP provides help with home heating bills so that Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners.

For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply visit:?dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP.

SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals

If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.

My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly.

2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services

211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.

2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.

Visit 211sepa.org for more information.

Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8

Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.?This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.

Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.

Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.

Visit the?Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help.

In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, our district office will be closed on Monday, January 20. We will re-open on Tuesday, January 21 at 9 AM to assist you with any state-related issue.

My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, or visit my district office in Exton.

Please don’t hesitate to call, email, or contact us through my website and let us know how we can help!

Sincerely,