Bound by law to help me, my foot!

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

@_@ I'm at my wits' end.

I've got a list of the various numbers I've been calling today that I've added to my birth certificate log. I was born in India, am estranged from my family and only have a photocopy of my birth certificate -- so in trying to get an original, I've been shuttled from one office to another. I do have a letter from the police explaining my situation but I'm really scared of screwing up my interview based on that thing. I've been told that the FCO and whatnot are bound by law to help me, as I am a British Citizen. So, for the lulz, here's my list:

Nov 2008:Contacted US embassy, which told me to bring whatever I have

Jan/Feb 2009: Contacted Indian Embassy in London, whio told me there was nothing they could do; contacted St. Philomena's Hopsital in Bangalore, which told me I have to show up in person with a relative to get one

Feb 2009: Got police letter explaining my situation

Today: Contacted British High Commission in India, was told to contact the Deputy High Commission (which was closed) because they couldn't do anything, contacted the High Commission again, was told that the FCO could help me, contacted FCO, was told to contact my local register office, contacted local register office, brain exploded, was told to contact general register office...

...Which told me to contact the British High Commission in India.

Looks like I'll be contacting the Deputy High Commission tomorrow morning...

Magpie.

Edited March 16, 2009 by KnightAndMagpie

[pothergavel 0]

I'm sorry matey

Anything I/we can do?

[English Muffin 59]

I think it highly unlikely that anyone in the UK forum has been through a similar experience, you might have more luck asking in the Asia: South forum.

Good luck with everything, I'm sure it will all turn out fine.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Thankums guys...well, I think it's down to the High Commission and such, really. I've made an extensive log of dates, contacts, addresses and so on in regard to my birth certificate, and that's all I can do for the moment. I don't think peeps in the South Asia forum could help me because I'm not an Indian citizen -- I grew up here in the UK and I haven't been back to India since I left when I was about a year, two years old. But any knowledge of who handles this kinda stuff for foreign-born citizens would be amazing.

:: Head goes...pop! ::

Magpie.

[mr and mrs 187]

ah. the old runaround.

personally, i think, no matter the outcome of your efforts to get the birth certifiicate, that you will be armed with a good and solid amount of information and will be able to show the embassy that you have exhausted all practical means to procure your bc.

<nod>

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

ah. the old runaround.

personally, i think, no matter the outcome of your efforts to get the birth certifiicate, that you will be armed with a good and solid amount of information and will be able to show the embassy that you have exhausted all practical means to procure your bc.

<nod>

Thank you, Lisabette...these little reassurances do help. I'll see how it goes tomorrow morning .

Magpie.

[paulinespens 3]

ah. the old runaround.

personally, i think, no matter the outcome of your efforts to get the birth certifiicate, that you will be armed with a good and solid amount of information and will be able to show the embassy that you have exhausted all practical means to procure your bc.

<nod>

Thank you, Lisabette...these little reassurances do help. I'll see how it goes tomorrow morning .

Magpie.

Good luck with everything tomorrow I hope it all goes well. Don't you hate governenment redtape.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

I know it will cost, but would a service such as this be any good?

http://www.yourmaninindia.com/

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

I know it will cost, but would a service such as this be any good?

http://www.yourmaninindia.com/

Ooooh...that looks hopeful. If it doesn't go well with the Deputy High Commission tomorrow, looks like this is my next best bet.

Thanks RK!

Magpie.

Edited March 16, 2009 by KnightAndMagpie

[Stinky Monkey 1]

Hope you have good news from them tomorrow hon, fingers crossed

[Marty J 0]

Good luck, I'm sure you'll get it sorted in the end, whatever happens!

Edited March 16, 2009 by Marty J

[snapcracklepop 0]

I know it will cost, but would a service such as this be any good?

http://www.yourmaninindia.com/

to this! I had a similar run in but with the South African Embassy in Canada. Eventually, I started searching online for companies that offer services like passport renewals and visa applications. After a few dead ends I found a fantastic company that managed to get my birth certificate for me in 6 weeks instead of 6 months, which is how long it would have taken had I gone thru the SA embassy.

I wish you luck and I KNOW there's companies out there that offer that type of service! YourManInIndia looks like the ticket ... but perhaps research their background a bit more. I did, to avoid internet scams etc as they need personal information from you to get this type of stuff done.

Hugs and best wishes!

[Leenie 15]

I wish I could offer really great advice to you, but good luck! I hope things come to a suitable conclusion and you get what you need before the interview!

[rocks 494]

is there any news? that link rkl57 provided looks interesting, i hope that can help you.

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Well, this is how things stand at the moment...

Having been shuttled back and forth, I finally got some information. I CAN send an application to the Local Document Search under the FCO, which costs £121, in order to try and get it that way. This method is not guaranteed in the least, the fee is non-refundable and it can take up to 18 months.

Ssoooo...scratch that.

I was a bit of a wreck over it the other day, so Knight and his mum wracked their brains (while I was sleeping, bless!) and, upon a closer look at my photocopy, realised it's a photocopy of a certified COPY of the certificate. It has all the information on it, so it might work. I've also grabbed a university record proving I go there, and I asked the police to provide me with a letter that more or less states who my parents are, where I was born, and when I was born. According to something they found (official visa documentation guide thing), any secondary supporting evidence that gives that information may help my case further.

I've also logged everything I've done, including names, numbers, addresses and instructions given as to what to do next, just so I can show that I've made the effort. If they still want the birth certificate, I'll try using that Indian service you guys were kind enough to link me to. Here's to praying they approve me and don't put me into AP.

you guys have been great. Thank you so much!

Magpie.