Birth Certificate Tip

[ACF514 0]

Just want to put this tip out there for people.

Research the Birth Certificate Formats for your region.

I don't know about other countries or provinces, but in Alberta, Canada (where I am from)

There are 4 kinds of birth documents you can order:

• Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only
• Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage
• Photocopy of a Registration of Birth
• Birth record search

When I was born, my parents were given the first type. My Personal Information Only. It is the only Birth Certificate I have ever had. I did not know there were others I could get.

I had to do some extra digging to figure out exactly what the NVC wanted.

They are not clear about stating this in their instructions. Most of the guides here on Visa Journey, as well as friends who have gone through this before me do say that The NVC requires a long-form or full-sized birth certificate.

Furthermore, I have only found one place - the website the NVC directed me to after they returned a request for the proper Birth Certificate Format (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/CA.html) - that specifies:

The Birth Certificate must include the parents' names

So, in my case, I will be getting the second certificate listed from Alberta Services.

Also note: My first Birth Certificate passed the USCIS stage of processing. Just because one office accepts it, does not mean the next one will.

Edited August 3, 2016 by ACF514

[NewBrunswicker 19]

Being from New-Brunswick, Canada, the only two options you have for Birth Certificate is "short" or "long" which corresponds to what they are asking for. The "long" format includes the parent's names.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Canada regional forum.

[JlovesA 109]

Can confirm Ontario has short and long BCs as well, and you will need the long form one!

Edited to add that the short is the little card most of us have, and the long is a whole sheet of paper with the info that your parent(s)/whomever filled out when you were born.

Edited August 3, 2016 by JlovesA

[JenniferNangel 137]

Just want to put this tip out there for people.

Research the Birth Certificate Formats for your region.

I don't know about other countries or provinces, but in Alberta, Canada (where I am from)

There are 4 kinds of birth documents you can order:

• Birth Certificate with Personal Information Only
• Birth Certificate with Personal Information and Parentage
• Photocopy of a Registration of Birth
• Birth record search

When I was born, my parents were given the first type. My Personal Information Only. It is the only Birth Certificate I have ever had. I did not know there were others I could get.

I had to do some extra digging to figure out exactly what the NVC wanted.

They are not clear about stating this in their instructions. Most of the guides here on Visa Journey, as well as friends who have gone through this before me do say that The NVC requires a long-form or full-sized birth certificate.

Furthermore, I have only found one place - the website the NVC directed me to after they returned a request for the proper Birth Certificate Format (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/CA.html) - that specifies:

The Birth Certificate must include the parents' names

So, in my case, I will be getting the second certificate listed from Alberta Services.

Also note: My first Birth Certificate passed the USCIS stage of processing. Just because one office accepts it, does not mean the next one will.

I just used my passport to prove my citizenship my marriage certificate has both my parents names on it as well as my in laws