Interview Worries

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Heya all,

I'm a bit worried about the birth certificate deal I have with my interview. Essentially, I only own a photocopy of my birth certificate as I was born in India, and I couldn't find a proper copy at my parents' house. I can't contact the family and ask for it (aaawkward.) and the Indian Embassy flatly told me that they couldn't help me. I did contact the US Consular with an email:

I have a slight problem in regard to my birth certificate. The only copy that I have is a faxed or photocopied version of the original, which I don't have. Would this still be acceptable to bring to the interview? Inquiring about acquiring an original might lead to severe cultural issues within my family. I have checked over it numerous times and it's as close as it can come.

Please reply as soon as possible, and thank you for your time.

Their reply was this:

If that is the only document you have, you should bring it with you to the interview. If it is not acceptable for our purposes, you will be advised further on the day of the interview.

Thank you for your e-mail correspondence.

Consular Information Unit

U.S. Embassy, London

CONS/CIU/SF

I managed to find my hospital of birth online, but as it's India, it could be tricky. The phone lines tend to be bad and I don't know whether they'd charge me for a new copy. I'll give a call tomorrow and see how it goes, but if it doesn't work, what should I do? Should I really be as nervous as I am about the interview?

Magpie.

[StillThePrettiest 3]

I can't give you any advice about the birth certificate issue, but I don't think you should be worried about the interview

they won't deny you on those grounds; the worst that could happen is that you'd be approved pending their sighting of the original (which I know could be a problem of a different type but it's not like it will be impossible to get it) - obviously assuming that everything else is in order!

all the best with it - try not to stress

the interview in the London Embassy is intimidating beforehand but really an anti-climax, if you've gotten yourself worked up over it - they're friendly and efficient, and I haven't heard of anyone having any problems there

best wishes!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I was looking at the India Embassy to see if they gave info on how to get a birth certificate. They didn't, but I saw a link for what to do if you could not obtain a copy of your birth certificate.

Unobtainable birth certificates: In rare cases, it may be impossible to obtain a birth certificate because records have been destroyed or the government will not issue one. In such cases, you should obtain a statement to that effect from the civil registrar's office and proceed to obtain secondary evidence of birth. Other certificates, such as a baptismal certificate or school certificates, may be submitted for consideration provided they contain the date of the applicant's birth and information concerning parentage. Should these certificates be unobtainable, a close relative, preferably the applicant's mother, should prepare a notarized statement giving the place and date of the applicant's birth, the names of both parents, and the maiden name of the mother. The statement must be executed before an official authorized to administer oaths or affirmations. In such cases, please bring any secondary evidence you might have concerning your birth.

I thought that might give you some ideas of things you could use to convince London to take your photocopy. I guess if you went to school there or had any certificates, they are probably at your parents too. Do you have any relatives that could write write a statement under oath stating your birth information. Take that statement with you so they know birth certificates in India are sometimes hard to come by.

You know what else might work? Cry Tell a sad story to the young guy doing the interview about oppression and how your parents kept your passport from you, etc. and say please help me work through this. I've tried...... You know get the sympathy visa.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

You know what else might work? Cry Tell a sad story to the young guy doing the interview about oppression and how your parents kept your passport from you, etc. and say please help me work through this. I've tried...... You know get the sympathy visa.

=D Thankums guys. I might just do that...I managed to call the hospital, but because they said the enquiries desk closes at 17:00 (which is when I called them, India time), I'm going to set my alarm for like 4:30 in the morning so I can talk to someone. As I have until the 30th March to sort this out, there could be a chance that I could get the legit copy that I need...else there's always crying =D.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!

Magpie.

[Jon&Lindsey 0]

Good luck with getting an original certificate! I only had a copy of mine for the AOS interview and it was fine (the original got lost in the mail and I couldn't get a new one quickly enough ), the officer didn't have any concerns about our case so just overlooked it. The copy was even just the short UK one, not the long one they would prefer to have. Hope everything goes well for you!

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Good luck with getting an original certificate! I only had a copy of mine for the AOS interview and it was fine (the original got lost in the mail and I couldn't get a new one quickly enough ), the officer didn't have any concerns about our case so just overlooked it. The copy was even just the short UK one, not the long one they would prefer to have. Hope everything goes well for you!

Thank you, that makes me feel a lot better, too...I just don't want to risk screwing up my interview over something so small, but it doesn't seem as though it would be a big thing to them.

Also, my Packet 4 came in the mail today, but I already knew my interview date =D.

Hugs!

Magpie.

[braveheart1 0]

Don't worry! Take what you have and if you need additional docs, direction will be given. Although the thought of the interview and the procedures to enter the building, all feel overwhelming, I felt it was a pretty efficient process. Nothing to be afraid of at all. Just ensure all your documents are in an orderly fashion and be yourself.

Good luck!

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Don't worry! Take what you have and if you need additional docs, direction will be given. Although the thought of the interview and the procedures to enter the building, all feel overwhelming, I felt it was a pretty efficient process. Nothing to be afraid of at all. Just ensure all your documents are in an orderly fashion and be yourself.

Good luck!

Thank you so much...I did have a chat with the hospital records personnel, but they say I have to turn up at the hospital in person or I have to send a relative who can vouch for me. This isn't possible since I'm estranged from the family, so at least I gave it a shot. Hopefully I'll have my visa in time to travel at the end of May...fingers crossed! Hopefully I'll be able to remember what you've said and stay calm on the 30th March =D.

Magpie.