6: Unpacking Birth Certificates with Veda Ray

What if the birth certificate was never for your baby—but a tool of control used by the state?In this episode, I sit down with Veda Ray, a freebirthing mother of two, who chose to walk a path most women never even consider: birthing and raising her second child completely outside the system. No pregnancy test. No monitoring. No birth certificate. No social security number.After her first birth at a birth center, Veda knew she wanted something different. This time, she listened deeply—to her body, to her baby, and to her own intuition—and what she heard was clear: this child was to be born free.We go deep into the realities of living outside the system, including how she navigated the legal terrain to secure a passport without government-issued ID, why she believes the birth certificate is a jurisdictional trap, and the spiritual responsibility of saying no to the state’s contracts.Inside this episode:What really happens when you don’t get a birth certificate or Social Security number for your childThe process Veda used to get a passport without a state-issued IDWhy a “family Bible” can hold legal weight in proving lineage and identityHow the social security number binds your child into the U.S. corporate systemThe link between freebirth and reclaiming jurisdiction over your body and familyWhat it’s like to raise a child who has never been registered by the stateThe unseen cost of outsourcing authority—and what you reclaim when you stopTimestamps:[00:00] Introduction[02:01] Choosing radical self-trust after rejecting the medical model[09:21] Learning to sit in the unknown and trust yourself through freebirth[22:54] Rethinking the birth certificate as a contract with the state and choosing a sovereign path instead[26:08] Creating private records to get a passport without a birth certificate[36:47] Using private trusts and EINs as alternatives to social security numbers and state contracts[52:44] Facing fear, claiming trust, and birthing in full sovereignty with family by your sideResources Mentioned:The Business of Being Born | MovieIf you want to connect with Veda, you can find her website here, and follow her @veda.revival.Find more from Emilee on Instagram, YouTube and the Free Birth Society website.Disclaimer: Free Birth Society, LLC of North Carolina shares personal and educational stories and experiences related to freebirth and holistic care. This content is not medical advice, and we are not a licensed midwifery practice. Testimonials reflect individual experiences; results may vary. For services or scheduling, contact [email protected]. See full disclaimer at freebirthsociety.com/youtubeterms.