Birth Certificate

[Jane8 4]

I have at least a couple of months before applying for my AOS, but I'm confused about the birth certificate that is required.

I've read the guides here and some threads and they say that you should send only copies of the birth certificate and have the original with you at the day of the interview.

This is where the confusion begins: I'm not sure what an ''original birth certificate'' exactly means.

Here in Greece, we simply go to the Town Hall and request a birth certificate which is a copy of the original birth certificate. Then we go ahead and get it certified so we can use it wherever we want to.

So, if I take the certified copy of my BC and have it officially translated (and certified), will that be enough for my AOS?

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Yes, that's exactly what you have to do...dont worry! In my case, when I moved here, I brought several certified & legalized copies of my birth certificate and I had it translate by a certified translator (many immigration law firms offers this service) here in the US. For what I'd read, if one of you have a perfect translate skills you can do it yourself, but even when my husband has a perfect english, we rather to had it done by a professional and using the standard formats. But that' s it. A certified copy of your bc plus a certified translation

Edited March 11, 2013 by Andrea&Henry

[Jane8 4]

Alright, thank you so much!

I'll give mine to be translated and certified at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which does all the translations here so I guess it'll be official.

Last question: so for my AOS I'll have to send copies of my certified Greek BC and the translated version of it, right? And keep the originals or bring them at the interview if and when they request them.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Alright, thank you so much!

I'll give mine to be translated and certified at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which does all the translations here so I guess it'll be official.

Last question: so for my AOS I'll have to send copies of my certified Greek BC and the translated version of it, right? And keep the originals or bring them at the interview if and when they request them. Yes, like you previously mentioned.

Good luck.

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Alright, thank you so much!

I'll give mine to be translated and certified at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which does all the translations here so I guess it'll be official.

Last question: so for my AOS I'll have to send copies of my certified Greek BC and the translated version of it, right? And keep the originals or bring them at the interview if and when they request them.

yes, you should always keep the originals with you but make sure you are sending certified copies of your documents, not just single copies. In the case of the marriage certificate, I "bought" like 8 "originals copies" so I can sent one with my AoS package and keep the rest in case I need it, but I guess they are also certificate copies...just FYI

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

You do not need to find someone to pay for an 'official' translation. Anyone fluent in both languages, including the intending immigrant themselves, can do the certified translation. http://www.visajourn...nt/translations

Taken from this USCIS page: http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I have at least a couple of months before applying for my AOS, but I'm confused about the birth certificate that is required.

I've read the guides here and some threads and they say that you should send only copies of the birth certificate and have the original with you at the day of the interview.

This is where the confusion begins: I'm not sure what an ''original birth certificate'' exactly means.

Here in Greece, we simply go to the Town Hall and request a birth certificate which is a copy of the original birth certificate. Then we go ahead and get it certified so we can use it wherever we want to.

So, if I take the certified copy of my BC and have it officially translated (and certified), will that be enough for my AOS?

Your record of birth is in Greece. The Town Hall copied the record and certified it was from the town record. That is a certified birth certificate. Many people on here refer to that as the original because it has the ink signature or embossing or seal from the Town Hall that certified it.

For you AOS application, lay that certified copy (aka original) on the glass of a copier machine and make a photocopy. Send the photocopy with your application. Take your original certified copy of the birth certificate to the interview (if you have an interview). I can say that we have gone all the way from K1 to citizenship without USCIS actually ever seeing anything but a photocopy of most of our documents. We always had them ready, but nobody cared to look at them.

[Jane8 4]

Your record of birth is in Greece. The Town Hall copied the record and certified it was from the town record. That is a certified birth certificate. Many people on here refer to that as the original because it has the ink signature or embossing or seal from the Town Hall that certified it.

For you AOS application, lay that certified copy (aka original) on the glass of a copier machine and make a photocopy. Send the photocopy with your application. Take your original certified copy of the birth certificate to the interview (if you have an interview). I can say that we have gone all the way from K1 to citizenship without USCIS actually ever seeing anything but a photocopy of most of our documents. We always had them ready, but nobody cared to look at them.

Thank you for your answer.

But here's the odd thing: I know that the BC from the town hall is already certified. It has the stamps and signatures and all that.

When I went today to give it so it could be translated, they guy there told me that I need a certified copy and when I told him that I got it from the Town Hall (therefore already certified), he insisted and told me that without a certified one, the translation that they're going to give me back, will not be certified either.

It's like they're asking me to certify the certified copy.

As Jay-Kay and other have suggested, we'll do the translation ourselves and be over with it. My fiance's ex-proffesor is a Greek who lives and teaches in the US, so we'll ask him.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

As Jay-Kay and other have suggested, we'll do the translation ourselves and be over with it. My fiance's ex-proffesor is a Greek who lives and teaches in the US, so we'll ask him.

^ Best idea. The professor just says in a signed statement at the bottom-- I certify (which means promise/assure) that I am fluent in Greek and English and I did this correctly. But use the official words right off the USCIS site JK gave you.

Edited March 11, 2013 by Nich-Nick

[Jane8 4]

Thank you Nich-Nick!

Is the birth certificate also required for the SSN?

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Thank you Nich-Nick!

Is the birth certificate also required for the SSN?

No, you need the passport, K-1 visa, I-94(with at least 2 weeks left before it expires) and marriage certificate, if wanting to get it in married name.

[Jane8 4]

Thank you and thank you everyone for being so helpful. You guys are amazing.

[B & G 200]

Thank you for your answer.

But here's the odd thing: I know that the BC from the town hall is already certified. It has the stamps and signatures and all that.

When I went today to give it so it could be translated, they guy there told me that I need a certified copy and when I told him that I got it from the Town Hall (therefore already certified), he insisted and told me that without a certified one, the translation that they're going to give me back, will not be certified either.

It's like they're asking me to certify the certified copy.

As Jay-Kay and other have suggested, we'll do the translation ourselves and be over with it. My fiance's ex-proffesor is a Greek who lives and teaches in the US, so we'll ask him.

Just wanted to add here, that make sure the birth certificate say Liksiarhiki Praksi Gennisis (ληξιαρχικη πραξη γεννησης) on it and not pistopoiitiko genniseos (πιστοποιητικο γεννησης). There is a difference.