Does my USC Spouse need a Birth Certificate for Interview?

[AnnieandJ 0]

Hello,

My USC wife was born in Poland and has been a naturalised U.S. Citizen for the past 18 years, on the interview documents checklist- it asks for her birth certificate. Is this mandatory or is it more of a suggestion since she can easily provide dozens of other forms of proof of U.S Citizenship? The checklist I was sent seems extremely generalised- I just want to make sure I am justified in freaking out as I have no idea how she can get a birth certificate in a month from a foreign country!

Thank you for your help.

[Cathi 5,755]

read the guides at the top of the page

[Ismael&Blair 66]

If the checklist asks for a birth certificate, then I believe that your wife needs to provide a birth certificate.

How was she able to get a passport and be naturalized if she didn't have a birth certificate to start the process?

Good luck!

[AnnieandJ 0]

If the checklist asks for a birth certificate, then I believe that your wife needs to provide a birth certificate.

How was she able to get a passport and be naturalized if she didn't have a birth certificate to start the process?

Good luck!

Who knows- she naturalized as a minor; her parents might still have it. I hope so at least.

[Ismael&Blair 66]

Who knows- she naturalized as a minor; her parents might still have it. I hope so at least.

That's a good start. Good luck and keep up posted

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

They are generalized, boiler-plate letters. Whatever was used to prove US citizenship for the I-129F should be fine for the AOS interview too. They may not even ask for it anyway. She can use her drivers license or state ID to enter the USCIS office and then may never be asked for any other form of identification. Have her bring her US passport just in case.

Edited September 3, 2013 by Jay-Kay

[foreignrelations 1]

It's worth checking with your wife's parents to see if they have the birth certificate, but if not, I wouldn't stress about it. In our case the AOS interviewer only asked to see my drivers license and my husband's drivers license and passport (he's the applicant). Later we got an RFE for the joint sponsor's birth certificate, but she couldn't find it so we sent a copy of her passport instead to prove citizenship, and that was fine. So do bring her passport just in case.

[newacct 688]

Generally, you bring the originals of the documents you submitted copies for in the application. The only reason you would include a USC's birth certificate is if they were born in the U.S., for proof of U.S. citizenship. The OP's wife is a naturalized citizen, so birth certificate is not relevant. She should bring the original of the Certificate of Naturalization and/or passport, whichever she submitted copies for in the application.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Generally, you bring the originals of the documents you submitted copies for in the application. The only reason you would include a USC's birth certificate is if they were born in the U.S., for proof of U.S. citizenship. The OP's wife is a naturalized citizen, so birth certificate is not relevant. She should bring the original of the Certificate of Naturalization and/or passport, whichever she submitted copies for in the application.

My suggestion to bring their US passport was just for an 'in case' situation, to have something and not need it rather than need something and not have it. The USC does not send any proof of citizenship when their foreign spouse applies to adjust status. Their citizenship was already proven with the I-129F petition. So, these things would not have been provided with the AOS application. The letter they send is just a boiler-plate letter for the AOS interviews. The USC spouse will just need ID, like a drivers incense, and most likely never be asked for any other type of ID or proof of citizenship.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Carefully review the AOS appointment letter:

"if your eligibility is based upon your marriage, in addition to your spouse coming to the interview with you, bring:

…..[2nd item] Your spouse's Birth Certificate and your spouse's evidence of United States Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Resident Status;…"

FWIW, for my wife and stepson's AOS interview, we brought everything, including the kitchen sink! Among other items, the IO asked for ALL of our passports, my divorce decrees. I was glad that we had brought everything associated with this immigration process.

YMMV,

Good luck.