Birth certificate (merged)

[Medz70084 8]

Hiya

I have to send a birth certificate as part of nvc package. I don't have one. I am a British citizen but I was born in Iran and my family moved to the UK as political asylum seekers when I was a child. So I don't have one, nor do I wish to go to the embassy of Iran to request it. I have a British passport and my family obviously have kept our documents from the home office when we came to the UK. I have read online that a sworn statement can be done. Do I need one or two of those? What about a statutory declaration? Any help will be much appreciated.

[Medz70084 8]

Hi

I have to send a birth certificate as part of nvc package. I don't have one. I am a British citizen but I was born in Iran and my family moved to the UK as political asylum seekers when I was a child. So I don't have one, nor do I wish to go to the embassy of Iran to request it. I have a British passport and my family obviously have kept our documents from the home office when we came to the UK. I have read online that a sworn statement can be done. Do I need one or two of those? What about a statutory declaration? Any help will be much appreciated.

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Hi

I have to send a birth certificate as part of nvc package. I don't have one. I am a British citizen but I was born in Iran and my family moved to the UK as political asylum seekers when I was a child. So I don't have one, nor do I wish to go to the embassy of Iran to request it. I have a British passport and my family obviously have kept our documents from the home office when we came to the UK. I have read online that a sworn statement can be done. Do I need one or two of those? What about a statutory declaration? Any help will be much appreciated.

I understand your reluctance to physically go to Iran in an attempt to retrieve your birth certificate, but have you tried calling or writing the appropriate authorities in Iran to attempt to gain a copy?

Also, if you're rebuffed when attempting to obtain a copy via mail and/or phone, that attempt made and rejection can be part of any sworn statement or declaration, presumably giving it more weight.

Edited August 31, 2016 by Russ&Caro

[Medz70084 8]

No simply because I do not have contacts there. I barely speak the language and the interactions can be very harsh and unpleasant. (

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

No simply because I do not have contacts there. I barely speak the language and the interactions can be very harsh and unpleasant. (

One would assume they'd speak English at the Iranian Embassy in London.

I understand the implications, but you need some official letter from Iran stating that your birth certificate is not available.

Edited August 31, 2016 by EM_Vandaveer

[Medz70084 8]

I don't feel comfortable as an asylee who is married now to a us ex- marine to go to the embassy. The embassy is technically Iranian land. I know nothing will happen but I just don't think I should have to go through this.

[JFH 12,191]

Is it that a birth certificate was never issued/has been destroyed or you don't have one in your possession (but it does exist somewhere?) What did you use to get your passport issued?

The way I interpret the rules on the NVC website, you need a sworn statement from the relevant authority saying why the document is not available and then a secondary form of evidence such as an affidavit from your mother or a school record.

I'm wondering if you will be able to get a sworn statement saying why it's not available if it does indeed exist. I think the NVC will expect you to make an effort to get it if it exists. It's a pain. I had to get an overseas criminal record check done and that took a few months. Then it had to be translated also.

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

I don't feel comfortable as an asylee who is married now to a us ex- marine to go to the embassy. The embassy is technically Iranian land. I know nothing will happen but I just don't think I should have to go through this.

Sorry, but this process has nothing to do with what you think you should have to do. I would guess that 80% or more of people who have applied for immigrant visas have had to deal with complicated and cumbersome requirements in order to receive their visas/green cards.

[NikLR 13,232]

There is instructions on the NVC website on what to do if you do not have a birth certificate.

Unobtainable birth certificates

If a birth certificate is unavailable per the country-specific guidelines above, you do not need to submit a copy of one to the NVC. If you cannot obtain a birth certificate for another reason, please submit a written explanation when you submit your other documents.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Supporting_documents.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/IR.html

[Medz70084 8]

Thank you

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

Good luck and please update here.

From what I read here on VJ, you usually need something from the government saying it's not available.

[Medz70084 8]

All I know is I can't go to iranian embassy. If you leave a country that wanted to prosecute you why would you go to their authorities yourself. I am going to see a solicitor on Monday with our home-office ( the equivalent of state department in the UK ) documents and produce a statutory declaration. If the immigration have doubts they can contact the homeoffice and verify it. I will update you guys.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,417]

You could send them an email. They can't get you through cyberspace.

You'll probably have to show at least some effort was made to obtain something.

Consular Building : 50 Kensington Court, London,W8 5DB

Email: iranconsulate.lon@mfa.gov.ir

Passports: +44 (20) 73610812 +44 (20) 73610814

Legal Affairs : +44 (20) 73610825-26 +44 (20) 73610810

FaX: +44 (20) 79381615

For Students: only through this email: lon.student@mfa.gov.ir

Search "shenasnameh" here on VJ, there are some interesting threads about it. This is what you are trying to get/explain why you absolutely cannot get.

From the State Department link above:

"Identity Certificates (Shenasnameh)

Available. Identity certificates (Shenasnameh) showing the date and place of birth, parents' names, place of residence, and marital history where appropriate, are issued to Iranian nationals in urban centers by the Department of National Registration and Statistics (Edareh Sabt Ahval va Omar) and in rural regions by district (Bakhsh) offices of the Department. These are accepted by the Embassy in lieu of birth certificates for visa purposes. Information contained in these certificates must be evaluated with the understanding that certain data, particularly dates and places, may be inaccurate. No official fee is charged for delivering documents to the applicants. When these documents are requested from abroad, an indefinite waiting period should be expected before a reply is received.

Birth or baptismal certificates emanating from ecclesiastic authorities of the church to which non-Moslem applicants belong are frequently of doubtful value. Moslem ecclesiastic authorities in Iran issue no documents to visa applicants."

[Medz70084 8]

Thank you