Birth Cert. for DS-230 - wife has original - but will it be accepted?

[rob11715 6]

It states at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html#certificates that "Original documents...must be submitted..."

My wife (born in East Germany) has her original birth certificate issued by the "Registry Office under the 10th Department of the Commandant of Soviet Troops Garrison" which of course does not exist any longer and she has no idea where to get another copy. This is an "Original document" and what we intend to submit with DS-230. But based on what is stated on the website under Birth Certificates quoted below I am not sure it will accepted. Has anyone here ever had the same type situation? Any ideas? Why do they write "obtain an original"? They assume you do not have an original?

"You (and any family members immigrating with you to the United States) must obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in your country of birth, showing your date of birth, place of birth, and parentage.

The certificate must contain the:

* Your date of birth

* Your place of birth

* Names of both parents

* Indication by the appropriate authority that it is an extract from the official records"

[Harsh_77 718]

the current govt should be able to validate the existing old birth cert

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

It states at http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html#certificates that "Original documents...must be submitted..."

My wife (born in East Germany) has her original birth certificate issued by the "Registry Office under the 10th Department of the Commandant of Soviet Troops Garrison" which of course does not exist any longer and she has no idea where to get another copy. This is an "Original document" and what we intend to submit with DS-230. But based on what is stated on the website under Birth Certificates quoted below I am not sure it will accepted. Has anyone here ever had the same type situation? Any ideas? Why do they write "obtain an original"? They assume you do not have an original?

"You (and any family members immigrating with you to the United States) must obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in your country of birth, showing your date of birth, place of birth, and parentage.

The certificate must contain the:

* Your date of birth

* Your place of birth

* Names of both parents

* Indication by the appropriate authority that it is an extract from the official records"

I actually work for a German company and a couple of my coworkers were born in East Germany. I will give them a ring tomorrow and ask. I believe Harsh is correct though. The re-integration of East and West Germany wasn't like a war situation where documents are destroyed so the German government can surely validate any information.

[rob11715 6]

I actually work for a German company and a couple of my coworkers were born in East Germany. I will give them a ring tomorrow and ask. I believe Harsh is correct though. The re-integration of East and West Germany wasn't like a war situation where documents are destroyed so the German government can surely validate any information.

Thanks so much for the offer Wayne! I think there is an added complication here though. My wife was born there because her Father (Russian) was stationed there in the military. She was only there a very short time - does not even remember it. Her mother was Moldovan and my wife is a Moldovan citizen since she then lived in Moldova most of her life.

So, if your coworkers were born and lived in East Germany all their lives up until coming here it may not apply very much to my wifes situation.

We were wondering if she might have to contact the Russian government? Perhaps since her birth was registered with the Soviet military, it was never registered in the East German city she was born in?

Well, in any case just wondering if there is even a chance that they will accept her original birth certificate. I should be getting it Fedex tomorrow. If people here think there is no chance it will be accepted, I would rather not send it again with her DS-230 and risk it getting lost. We would just have to find out for sure how to get what I would call an "original duplicate" that they would accept.

Edited December 2, 2010 by rob11715

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

Ok, no worries. I will ask them, if they don't know they may know someone who does. I am usually in daily contact with them. Never hurts to ask.

[rob11715 6]

Any comments as to whether my wife's original birth document would be accepted? Should I even bother sending it?

I should have read more carefully what the NVC considers an "original document". I knew my wife had her original birth certificate, but now not sure at all if it will be accepted.

Maybe it should be stressed in some of the wikis and guides that you should carefully read what the NVC says about "original" documents. Seems they want something more than the original. Thought my wife might be here for Christmas or the New Year, but if she needs to track down where to get another birth certificate, we will be delayed.