Question about birth certificate... original needed?

[Shadowfaxx 0]

Hi everyone!

I have an unusual question. I think I need to prove my citizenship with a birth certificate, right? It's just that my situation is made more complicated by the fact that I was a military brat, born overseas. It is VERY difficult to obtain copies and takes forever, in fact I dont even remember who/ what department I would need to contact as all those records have been archived.

Anyway, my question is... is it alright to just send a photocopy of my original? Would it stop a problem in advance if I go have a copy notorized? Do I have to give up my originals? (There are actually about 3 different papers to prove I am a US citizen...

It's all made more complicated than it already is, so I soooo appreciate any good advice.

Thanks a lot! I hope to mail the package this week!

[mox 298]

Hi everyone!

I have an unusual question. I think I need to prove my citizenship with a birth certificate, right? It's just that my situation is made more complicated by the fact that I was a military brat, born overseas. It is VERY difficult to obtain copies and takes forever, in fact I dont even remember who/ what department I would need to contact as all those records have been archived.

Anyway, my question is... is it alright to just send a photocopy of my original? Would it stop a problem in advance if I go have a copy notorized? Do I have to give up my originals? (There are actually about 3 different papers to prove I am a US citizen...

It's all made more complicated than it already is, so I soooo appreciate any good advice.

Thanks a lot! I hope to mail the package this week!

Do not include an original birth certificate in your initial I-129F filing. A photocopy is fine, or you can substitute your passport for the birth certificate by photocopying ALL pages (even the blank ones) of your passport.

I was also born abroad (Japan) as a military brat. To get a copy of your birth certificate you need to contact the Department of State. Contact information is here:

U.S. Department of State

Passport Correspondence Office

1111 Nineteenth Street NW, Suite 510

Washington, DC 20524

Tel: 202-955-0307

I haven't had to contact them, but I'd recommend telephoning them instead of writing. Might get you faster results.

As for the other 2 pages, they are most likely your Report of Birth Abroad and the birth certificate issued by the military hospital, correct? You do not need to include these.

Edited January 8, 2008 by mox

[Dylan'sWife 2]

Hi everyone!

I have an unusual question. I think I need to prove my citizenship with a birth certificate, right? It's just that my situation is made more complicated by the fact that I was a military brat, born overseas. It is VERY difficult to obtain copies and takes forever, in fact I dont even remember who/ what department I would need to contact as all those records have been archived.

Anyway, my question is... is it alright to just send a photocopy of my original? Would it stop a problem in advance if I go have a copy notorized? Do I have to give up my originals? (There are actually about 3 different papers to prove I am a US citizen...

It's all made more complicated than it already is, so I soooo appreciate any good advice.

Thanks a lot! I hope to mail the package this week!

Do not include an original birth certificate in your initial I-129F filing. A photocopy is fine, or you can substitute your passport for the birth certificate by photocopying ALL pages (even the blank ones) of your passport.

I was also born abroad (Japan) as a military brat. To get a copy of your birth certificate you need to contact the Department of State. Contact information is here.

U.S. Department of State

Passport Correspondence Office

1111 Nineteenth Street NW, Suite 510

Washington, DC 20524

Tel: 202-955-0307

I haven't had to contact them, but I'd recommend telephoning them instead of writing. Might get you faster results.

As for the other 2 pages, they are most likely your Report of Birth Abroad and the birth certificate issued by the military hospital, correct? You do not need to include these.

Wow- you are quick.

I was able to find this information on requesting copies of birth abroad records.

Requesting a Copy of a Consular Report of Birth

If you were born in a foreign country to a U.S. citizen parent or parents, and your parent registered your birth at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the form of a Consular Report of Birth (Form FS-240), and you would like evidence of your birth and United States citizenship, you should submit a written request which includes the following five items:

1. Your full name at birth, and date and country of birth.

2. Parents' full names, including mother's maiden name, and their dates and places of birth and nationality.

3. A daytime telephone number.

4. You or your parents' signature. A legal guardian's signature is acceptable only when accompanied by a certified copy of the guardianship papers or court order of adoption.

5. A $40 fee per document. (Check or money order made payable to the Department of State.)

All requests should be mailed to:

Passport Services

Correspondence Branch

Suite 510

1111 19th Street NW

Washington, DC 20522-1705

[mox 298]

Wow- you are quick.

I was able to find this information on requesting copies of birth abroad records.

Heh. I had the info handy because I couldn't find my birth certificate this weekend. Had a panicky moment where I started gathering the info I'd need to contact the State Department. Fortunately I found it Sunday evening, it had slipped in between some other papers. Whew!

Your info seems more complete. Where did you find it?

[Kang Lang 7]

you the USC does not need to have the birth cert to prove citizenship if you have a US passport. likely that will kill 2 birds with one stone as it will have the entry stamps of your trips to meet w/ your fiancee if you travelled there.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

[Shadowfaxx 0]

Whew! That is good to know, so thank you people very much!!!

So, just for paranoia's sake, I guess, I want to ask again, a REGULAR copy of my report of birth abroad, (It's got some stupid name such as the "F-172b", or some such per Government stuff as usual) is okay? I don't need to go have it notorized perhaps??

Just asking again. My english is usually better than the above, but I think you all get my meaning and my frustration with this process and it probably shows.

It's a Godsend to have this website, so thank you all for your help! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Oh, and yes, I am including all pages of my passport as well. What a TOME I am going to be sending them.

On another subject, how do you all usually mail this? USPS or UPS or ? I do want it certified as being received, for the heck of it, especially after the months it has taken to collect all of this...

[mox 298]

Whew! That is good to know, so thank you people very much!!!

So, just for paranoia's sake, I guess, I want to ask again, a REGULAR copy of my report of birth abroad, (It's got some stupid name such as the "F-172b", or some such per Government stuff as usual) is okay? I don't need to go have it notorized perhaps??

Just asking again. My english is usually better than the above, but I think you all get my meaning and my frustration with this process and it probably shows.

It's a Godsend to have this website, so thank you all for your help! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Oh, and yes, I am including all pages of my passport as well. What a TOME I am going to be sending them.

On another subject, how do you all usually mail this? USPS or UPS or ? I do want it certified as being received, for the heck of it, especially after the months it has taken to collect all of this...

Yes, when FILING the initial petition, you only need a photocopy. DO NOT send originals, and don't get anything notarized, it's completely unnecessary.

Mail it USPS certified with return receipt requested. Make sure you ask for the return receipt requested, as this is going to be your only proof that USCIS have actually received your petition into their system. Don't send UPS or FedEx, USCIS discourages this.

[B'sA 0]

Hi everyone!

I have an unusual question. I think I need to prove my citizenship with a birth certificate, right? It's just that my situation is made more complicated by the fact that I was a military brat, born overseas. It is VERY difficult to obtain copies and takes forever, in fact I dont even remember who/ what department I would need to contact as all those records have been archived.

Anyway, my question is... is it alright to just send a photocopy of my original? Would it stop a problem in advance if I go have a copy notorized? Do I have to give up my originals? (There are actually about 3 different papers to prove I am a US citizen...

It's all made more complicated than it already is, so I soooo appreciate any good advice.

Thanks a lot! I hope to mail the package this week!

Never send originals!

And an american citizen can proove his citizenship with a passport copy also.

[mox 298]

Mail it USPS certified with return receipt requested. Make sure you ask for the return receipt requested, as this is going to be your only proof that USCIS have actually received your petition into their system. Don't send UPS or FedEx, USCIS discourages this.

Based on a PM, I just want to clarify something here: If you send your packet via registered mail, you'll only have proof that your package was delivered. If you send it with return receipt requested, you'll not only have proof that it was delivered, but you'll also have proof that USCIS *received* it. You'll get the receipt back in the mail with a date stamped on it. This will be your received date, and it's the date USCIS goes by when processing. Hope that clears it up.

[Kang Lang 7]

another option is usps overnight: it was $15 when i did it and you can get electronic confirmation of delivery and a copy of the signature.

good luck!