British woman struggles as government classifies her as an immigrant

In the UK, Caitlin Walton, a 26-year-old woman from Tyne and Wear, is facing life challenges due to the absence of a birth certificate. Caitlin was born at home in Gateshead in 1997 to a mother from whom she is now estranged, and the lack of medical assistance during her birth resulted in no official records of her birth being created. She learned about her situation at 18 when she sought to move out of her mother's home but discovered that her mother could not provide her with the essential birth certificate needed for identification. Since then, Caitlin has struggled to establish her identity within the government system. Without legal proof of her birth, she is treated as a 'white British immigrant' and is unable to work, obtain a passport, or rent a home. Instead, she has depended on her aunt and cousin for support. Her attempts to apply for a passport were met with bureaucratic obstacles; the Passport Office requires independent verification of her birth details, which Caitlin cannot provide. Despite her efforts, Caitlin feels trapped in a cycle of rejection. Extensive searches at healthcare facilities have yielded no records of her birth, and local authorities are unclear about how to assist her. The situation is compounded by Caitlin's estrangement from her family, as both parents are no longer involved in her life, and her two siblings have also remained out of contact, which might suggest similar registration issues for them. Caitlin's pleas for help have been met with little understanding from authorities, and her inquiries have often been dismissed or categorized as family matters, which further isolates her. She has voiced her desperation and confusion, questioning how she can feel invisible in a country she has lived her whole life. The Home Office has stated that a birth certificate is a crucial document for applying for a British passport, highlighting the systemic barriers she faces. Caitlin expresses a desire to gain independence through work and appropriate housing but remains stuck without proof of her existence, emphasizing the failure of the government systems to assist people like her.