Vital Docs - New | Wings Santa Cruz

Our Vital Docs Program

Wings Homeless Advocacy is a People First Program dedicated to providing essential services and support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

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A Lack of ID Should Never Mean a Lack of Housing

At Wings, we work to change that. Our Vital Docs program helps individuals secure essential documents, like birth certificates and IDs, so they can break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Here’s the challenge:

You can’t get a birth certificate without an ID—and you can’t get a new ID without a birth certificate. Many of our unhoused neighbors are trapped in this contradiction. We’re here to help people overcome this barrier and take the first step toward stability.

Our Impact

Why birth certificates?

Most of us don’t think twice about our vital documents. A parent probably ordered your birth certificate when you were a baby, tucked it away safely, and eventually passed it along so you could use it to land your first job or apply for school. But for many, that’s not how the story goes. Some have never even seen their birth certificate.

That’s where Wings steps in.

We help people get—and safely store—their birth certificates so they can access life-changing opportunities. Just a few examples:

You need a birth certificate to:
• Get a job
• Enroll your kids in school
• Apply for a Section 8 housing voucher (every household member, even infants, must have one)

You need an ID to:
• Open a bank account
• Access certain medical care
• Enroll in school
• Sign up for government benefits

And much more.

These documents may seem small, but they’re often the key to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty. That’s why our Vital Docs services are a cornerstone of what we do—and why we often pair them with other Wings programs to help people build toward lasting stability.

Want to see it in action? Learn how we supported Darren at every step of his journey, starting with a birth certificate—and ending with a place to call home.

Who is eligible:

Anyone experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness is eligible for our Vital Docs services.

How it Works:

There are two ways to request a birth certificate:

Fill out this online pre-request form (recommended)
- Complete this form for each individual requesting a birth certificate.
- If the birth location is in California, an in-person meeting is required (no appointment is necessary; see office hours below).
- If the birth location is outside of California, you will be contacted regarding the next steps. Don't forget to hit SUBMIT at the end!
Come to our office hours:
- Every Thursday from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm @ the downtown Santa Cruz Public Library.
- 2nd Friday of every month from 1:00 - 2:30 pm @ Watsonville Public Library.

After Step One or Two are completed:

During office hours, volunteers will complete a form with the client and submit the request. If additional information or other steps are needed, the volunteer will inform the client (and their case manager, if present) of the next steps.
A volunteer will contact the client to inform them that their birth certificate is ready for pickup during the next office hours.
If clients do not have a way to be contacted, they can leave someone else's contact information, such as a family member or their case manager.
If desired, Wings can store the birth certificate, free of charge, indefinitely. The client (or case manager) can check out the birth certificate as needed and then return it to Wings' storage. This is a great option for people concerned about losing or damaging their documents.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does it take to get a birth certificate?
- For Santa Cruz County birth certificates, the average processing time is 1-2 weeks. For all other CA counties and US states, it typically takes 3-4 weeks. For some complex cases, it can take up to 8 weeks. Out-of-country birth certificates are on a case-by-case basis. The bottom line: request it early!
Where do you get funding for this program?
- Wings is a People First Program and 100% community-funded.
Do your services cost anything?
- Thanks to our funders, we can offer our services free of charge to those experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
- Our Vital Docs Program costs us around $35,000 per year, which is roughly 1/3 of what it would cost a traditional agency to run the program (hiring, training, and managing staff to deliver services in an office space, etc.). Every dollar invested in us does the work of three.
Do you help people get other documents?
- Occasionally, additional vital documents, such as death or marriage certificates, may be needed to help someone break the cycle of homelessness. We can help people get those, too! The most common time this is needed is when applying for Social Security death benefits from a spouse.
- Only the DMV can provide IDs and Driver's Licenses; however, we can help clients get them at a reduced rate. Come to our office hours to find out more.
Do I need to consent to my data being stored in HMIS to receive these services?
- No, you will never be required to share your data with the secure Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) our community uses.
- However, keep in mind that HMIS data can help our program secure funding, allowing us to continue offering these services. More accurate HMIS data also helps us gauge community needs and better serve our clients.
How can I support this program?
- There are so many ways!
  - Make a donation
  - Sign up to volunteer. This involves completing an application, undergoing a background check, and, if selected, a 3-4-hour initial commitment for orientation and training. From there, you can let us know your availability, and we will work around it. As a volunteer, you will interact directly with our clients, and you will get to see the joy on their faces when you make a difference in their lives.
  - Tell your friends about our work! Like, comment, and share our social media content on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.