Petitioner Birth Certificate question

[Erthwhile 0]

Hi there,

while I am preparing my documents for my final interwiev, I noticed that I have to present the original or certified copy of my wife's birth certificate.

I have a (big) question. My wife is a US citizen BUT was born in Japan. She has no real way to obtain a Japanese birth certificate from Italy, but she possesses a FS-240 form "Consular Report of Birth Abroad". Now, I've read that this document is valid as proof of US citizenship, and that even though is officially different from a birth certificate it is equivalent to it. Will the Naples consulate be happy with it or require the original/official copy of the Japanese birth certificate?

Thansk a lot!

[Deep2009 18]

Hi there,

while I am preparing my documents for my final interwiev, I noticed that I have to present the original or certified copy of my wife's birth certificate.

I have a (big) question. My wife is a US citizen BUT was born in Japan. She has no real way to obtain a Japanese birth certificate from Italy, but she possesses a FS-240 form "Consular Report of Birth Abroad". Now, I've read that this document is valid as proof of US citizenship, and that even though is officially different from a birth certificate it is equivalent to it. Will the Naples consulate be happy with it or require the original/official copy of the Japanese birth certificate?

Thansk a lot!

Petitioner B' certificate is needed when petitioner applied for parents or brothers/sisters.

Please check state department website.....

For CR1, petitioner b'certificate is not needed for interview...

...if it is, it must be embassy requirement.

Edited May 20, 2010 by Deep2009

[Erthwhile 0]

Petitioner B' certificate is needed when petitioner applied for parents or brothers/sisters.

Please check state department website.....

For CR1, petitioner b'certificate is not needed for interview...

...if it is, it must be embassy requirement.

The embassy here requires the petitioner birth certificate. Is the FS-240 "Report of consular birth" enough?

[Bernie C 24]

Hey Rob - It took some digging but it certainly looks like the FS-240 will be good in lieu of the birth certificate.

I dug up the info below from a 4 year old post with the same question you have and this was the response.

If you do not have birthcertificate, the following documents below are accepted in lieu of your birthcertificate.

---A copy of your naturalization certification or certificate of citizenship issued by USCIS or the forme INS.

---A copy of Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the Unitd States, issued by an American embassy or consulate.

---A copy of your unexpired US passport

---An original statement from a US consular officer verifying that you are a US citizen with a valid passport.

[Erthwhile 0]

Hey Rob - It took some digging but it certainly looks like the FS-240 will be good in lieu of the birth certificate.

I dug up the info below from a 4 year old post with the same question you have and this was the response.

Hey Bernie thanks a lot! Do you have the link tothe post?

thanks!

[thongd4me 69]

A copy of her current passport is proof of birth.

[Erthwhile 0]

A copy of her current passport is proof of birth.

I know that, but the embassy EXPRESSLY requires her birth certificate. Now, will the fs-240 or ds-something be enough or we have to activate her mom in Japan to get her birth certificate and translation asap?

I emailed the embassy but they are very slow in replying and my interview is mid July!!

Thanks!

[Erthwhile 0]

Anybody?

[HeidiItaly 0]

Anybody?

The consular report of a birth abroad is accepted in lieu of a birth certificate. I know, because when my husband had his interview at Naples a month ago, he had to present my childrens' birth certificates and my youngest son has exactly that. Don't worry, there's no problem. If you are super-concerned email Christina Woods at the Embassy in Naples. She is the one who actually interviews you at the embassy and collects all your paperwork (she is really nice and flexible).

One more thing, Rob. When my husband went they asked for his military records (or a paper saying that he was never in the military). Unfortunately, I misunderstood about this and didn't include it in our packet. Luckily Ms. Woods was really kind and accepted the packet without the paper that said my husband was never in the military. So, you might want to make sure you have this paper, just in case you don't get interviewed by Ms. Woods. Hope this helps!

[Erthwhile 0]

The consular report of a birth abroad is accepted in lieu of a birth certificate. I know, because when my husband had his interview at Naples a month ago, he had to present my childrens' birth certificates and my youngest son has exactly that. Don't worry, there's no problem. If you are super-concerned email Christina Woods at the Embassy in Naples. She is the one who actually interviews you at the embassy and collects all your paperwork (she is really nice and flexible).

One more thing, Rob. When my husband went they asked for his military records (or a paper saying that he was never in the military). Unfortunately, I misunderstood about this and didn't include it in our packet. Luckily Ms. Woods was really kind and accepted the packet without the paper that said my husband was never in the military. So, you might want to make sure you have this paper, just in case you don't get interviewed by Ms. Woods. Hope this helps!

Thanks Heidi! I assume that the interview went well for your husband! it's a relief knowing that the form fs-240 and fs-545 (the ones my wife have) are enough! Thank God her parents got them! And thanks for the hint regarding the military records! I will get one asap!!

[HeidiItaly 0]

Believe me, don't stress too much. The whole process was much easier than we imagined and the embassy in Naples was very easy to deal with. Good luck!