Birth Certificate Question

[N&DSanow 6]

The guide (http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1 so useful!) states that a birth certificate is no longer necessary when submitting your i-130. It also clearly states that it will absolutely be necessary at the interview stage.

I'm Canadian looking to join my American husband (if location matters) and lost my birth certificate years ago. Sitting on our NOA1 (as of May 31,2016). Should I be scrambling to get it replaced?

Also I'm new to this forum so please forgive and redirect if there is somewhere this question has already been answered or would be more appropriate to post! thanks!

[xmaricrisx 25]

Hi there! Welcome to VJ You will be needing your birth certificate at the NVC stage (after your i-130 petition is approved by USCIS) and at the interview, so it would be a good idea to get a certified copy in the nearby future.

[N&DSanow 6]

Good to know. And it's kind of nice to have something I can DO while I wait.

[xmaricrisx 25]

Good to know. And it's kind of nice to have something I can DO while I wait.

Yes, the longest wait is waiting for NOA2. If you really want to stay ahead of things, you can read about the NVC stage so you can begin gathering the other documents needed to submit once you're at that stage. You can read the guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

[N&DSanow 6]

Oh excellent. That's a great resource, thank you!

Time to get all those ducks in a row...

[xmaricrisx 25]

Oh excellent. That's a great resource, thank you!

Time to get all those ducks in a row...

You're very welcome! Good luck with everything!

[TBoneTX 45,304]

Thread is moved from the K-3 Process forum to the CR-1 Process forum -- OP is apparently on the I-130 path.

[NikLR 13,227]

Get the long form birth certificate. Make sure your passport is updated with the name you want to use as well.

[N&DSanow 6]

Get the long form birth certificate. Make sure your passport is updated with the name you want to use as well.

I saw a thread about the long form but it was from a few years ago. It turns out I do have a ---certified copy--- of the long form. the VJ guide says that an "Original or certified "long" birth certificate.*" is required, but I can't tell if my certified COPY will do the trick? Or if that's just what they mean? it's got an embossed seal from the registrars office on the bottom and a signature, crest at the top of the page. I'd feel really silly ordering a replacement just to receive something I already have. I might call service Ontario and just bug them on the phone about exactly what I'll be receiving in the mail if I order a long form.

I'm putting off any name changes for now, this paperwork is complicated enough already!

[NikLR 13,227]

I saw a thread about the long form but it was from a few years ago. It turns out I do have a ---certified copy--- of the long form. the VJ guide says that an "Original or certified "long" birth certificate.*" is required, but I can't tell if my certified COPY will do the trick? Or if that's just what they mean? it's got an embossed seal from the registrars office on the bottom and a signature, crest at the top of the page. I'd feel really silly ordering a replacement just to receive something I already have. I might call service Ontario and just bug them on the phone about exactly what I'll be receiving in the mail if I order a long form.

I'm putting off any name changes for now, this paperwork is complicated enough already!

A certified copy is a copy from the original issuer. Basically all birth certificates in Canada are certified copies since each province keeps the actual "original"

I changed my name right away on my passport (it had expired anyhow so that was fortunate) because I wanted my green card in my married name. If you do not change your passport before you immigrate, and you want to take your married name, it will cost $450 to change the green card. Then you have issues if you travel by air because you have to travel with your marriage certificate until you change the passport to match.

[N&DSanow 6]

Oh okay, I didn't know that. What I have is a certified copy of a "statement of live birth". I'm usually pretty good at finding information online but I'm struggling to find anything clear about whether or not that is the same thing as a Long form Birth Certificate.

Edited August 29, 2016 by N&DSanow

[NikLR 13,227]

I believe a statement of live birth is not a birth certificate. It's a copy of the birth registration.

[N&DSanow 6]

that's what i thought too. seems like i have every possible bit of paper except the one i need! thanks

[JFH 12,190]

They (NVC and the rmbassy) need yo see a birth certificate with names of both parents on. Or a space where a parent name would be if one of your parents is unknown and you only have one parent named on your birth certificate.

In the UK we have two versions of birth certificates. Little ones about the size of a postcard with just the bare minimum of details and full birth certificates with both parents, father's occupation, mother's address, etc.

[N&DSanow 6]

They (NVC and the rmbassy) need yo see a birth certificate with names of both parents on. Or a space where a parent name would be if one of your parents is unknown and you only have one parent named on your birth certificate.

In the UK we have two versions of birth certificates. Little ones about the size of a postcard with just the bare minimum of details and full birth certificates with both parents, father's occupation, mother's address, etc.

yes it's that same in canada. That's why people have been saying to get the Long Form, since tat's the one with all the info on it.