Birth certificate - is it okay to literally use the very original one?

[anon2018 5]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering whether it's sensible to use my absolute original birth certificate - hand-written rather than any official copies. Would it matter if I lost this (as I can always request a copy from the government)?

Thanks!

[JohnR! 5,495]

IMHO you would be better off sending in a certified copy. These documents will not be returned to you.

[twofors 30]

When applying for a passport you are required to send a certified copy from the State in which you were born. I can't imagine it is different for the USCIS. You can get more than one copy from the State so you have an original to send. When we sent our petition I enclosed an original from the state, a copy of the one issued from the hospital, and a copy of the one provided by the doctors office. Just so I wouldn't have any doubts they had what they wanted.

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Don't send originals of anything. Just make a copy of it.

[anon2018 5]

Don't send originals of anything. Just make a copy of it.

IMHO you would be better off sending in a certified copy. These documents will not be returned to you.

This is for the visa interview in London itself - so I do need an original! Apologies that I didn't specify it was for the interview. I'm not 'sending in' anything - this is justto take to the interview.

Edited May 2, 2014 by jgadsby

[Darnell 8,478]

then bring it and a photocopy . let the Vice-Consul take/see both, and then ask for the original back.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I had the original of mine but it was only "short form" not the "long form" birth certificate they wanted so I sent off for a certified copy of the original long form certificate from the GRO. It only cost £10 so might be worth doing anyway in case your original ever gets mislaid.

[soapface 16]

Yes, it's fine. I took my original handwritten one. Remember to take a photocopy too, (it can be a black and white copy).

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

This is for the visa interview in London itself - so I do need an original! Apologies that I didn't specify it was for the interview. I'm not 'sending in' anything - this is justto take to the interview.

It is fine as long as it has your parents' names on it. London will look at the original, file the photocopy you bring, and hand back the original during the interview. Provide a photocopy of any personal document you want back.