In an extraordinary case of bureaucratic confusion, Jason Kilburn, a 49-year-old Nebraska man from Valley, is embroiled in a months-long struggle to change his daughter’s legal name from the baffling “Unakite Thirteen Hotel” to a proper name that reflects her identity.
This unusual error has left his toddler without a usable birth certificate or a Social Security number, causing major difficulties in accessing essential services like health insurance and childcare.
The Origin of the Name Mix-Up
Over two years ago, Mr. Kilburn learned that a woman he once dated had given birth to a daughter who might be his.
The baby was born on November 5, 2022, at a home in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Due to the mother’s struggles with homelessness and drug abuse, she was unable to care for her child.
A friend arranged for the newborn to be taken to a nearby hospital where, instead of a proper name, the hospital issued a temporary, nonsensical name: “Unakite Thirteen Hotel.”
After the state authorities took custody of the infant, Mr. Kilburn was confirmed as her biological father, and he began referring to her as Caroline.
However, the error on her birth certificate—labeled “for government use only”—has proven to be a significant barrier.
Without a correct birth certificate or Social Security number, Caroline is effectively invisible to the systems that provide healthcare, child care, and other necessary services.
The Impact of Bureaucratic Chaos
The issue stems from a combination of unfortunate circumstances and administrative mishaps. The temporary name, likely generated by a computer algorithm used during emergency processing, was never corrected once custody was granted to Mr. Kilburn.
According to his lawyer, Joshua Livingston, this bureaucratic chaos has turned a simple matter of identity into a prolonged legal and administrative battle.
Mr. Kilburn expressed his frustration in a recent text message, stating, “This has been a long, difficult process. I will keep working as hard as I can to get my daughter the documents she needs.”
The lack of a Social Security number and a proper birth certificate means that Caroline is missing key identification documents, leaving her unable to access government benefits and services that are critical for her development and well-being.
Key Issues at a Glance
To better understand the challenges faced by Mr. Kilburn and his daughter, the table below summarizes the essential facts and figures of the case:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Father’s Name | Jason Kilburn |
| Father’s Age | 49 years old |
| Location | Valley, Nebraska |
| Daughter’s Legal Name | Unakite Thirteen Hotel (temporary, computer-generated) |
| Preferred Name (by Father) | Caroline |
| Birth Date | November 5, 2022 |
| Birth Location | Council Bluffs, Iowa |
| Mother’s Circumstances | Struggled with homelessness and drug abuse; unable to care for the child |
| Custody Status | Initially with state authorities; later granted to Jason Kilburn |
| Key Missing Documents | Corrected birth certificate (marked “for government use only”) and Social Security number |
| Impact | Difficulty accessing health insurance, child care, and other essential services |
Why This Issue Matters
The mishap with Caroline’s birth certificate is not just a legal technicality—it has real-life implications for her future.
Without a valid birth certificate or a Social Security number, she faces obstacles in obtaining government benefits, enrolling in educational programs, and even applying for a passport.
This case highlights how critical it is for parents and guardians to ensure that all necessary documentation is correct and up to date.
For families in similar situations—especially those involving state custody or complex family dynamics—this case serves as a cautionary tale. It underscores the need for careful oversight when temporary measures are used during emergency processing and the importance of rectifying errors as soon as possible.
The case of Caroline, whose legal name was mistakenly recorded as “Unakite Thirteen Hotel,” is a striking example of how bureaucratic errors can have profound consequences on personal lives. Jason Kilburn’s ongoing struggle to correct his daughter’s birth certificate and obtain her Social Security number highlights the critical need for accurate administrative processes in safeguarding access to essential services.
This case not only underscores the importance of vigilance in managing government records but also serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by families caught in the crossfire of bureaucratic chaos.
For parents and guardians, ensuring that all documentation is accurate and promptly updated is paramount. As Mr. Kilburn continues his battle to secure a proper identity for his daughter, his determination offers hope that even the most tangled administrative issues can eventually be resolved.
In the meantime, Caroline’s case stands as a testament to the importance of advocacy and persistence in the face of overwhelming bureaucratic hurdles.