Passport; no birth certificate??

[Stef990 0]

Hi 

 

I'm seeking help for my passport application.  I filed it with my local post office around 2-3weeks ago.  I just got a letter in today from the state department requesting US citizenship certificate or birth certificate, which I don't have either.   My main reason for applying for a passport was to get proof of my citizenship.  I am now in my late 20s, both of my parents received their naturalization before I was the age of 18.   

 

I've sent both my parent's naturalization certificate and my expired green card along with my passport application, which we figured would be enough for proof.  Apparently not.  

 

Obtaining my birth certificate at this point would be way too much trouble, as I was born in Thailand.  

 

Is there a secondary form of documents I can provide to help process my application? 

 

I've thought about the idea of applying for n-600 (citizenship certificate), but looks like I will still need my birth certificate for that as well? 

 

So, I have 90 days to provide additional information or my application will be forfeited with out refund... 

 

 

Help! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 5, 2017 by Stef990

[Going through 5,671]

1 hour ago, Stef990 said:

I just got a letter in today from the state department requesting US citizenship certificate or birth certificate, which I don't have either. 

 

1 hour ago, Stef990 said:

Is there a secondary form of documents I can provide to help process my application?

If the State Dept.is requesting specific forms of documents, they will only accept the options specified in the letter you receive, most likely.  Proof of citizenship is required to obtain a US passport....not the other way around.

 

 Is there  not a birth registrar in Thailand where you can obtain a copy of your birth certificate?

Edited September 5, 2017 by Going through

[jxn 86]

6 minutes ago, Going through said:

 Is there  not a birth registrar in Thailand where you can obtain a copy of your birth certificate?

I'm under the impression OP says it's pointless to get the Thai birth certificate because it doesn't prove U.S. citizenship.

[Going through 5,671]

8 minutes ago, jxn said:

I'm under the impression OP says it's pointless to get the Thai birth certificate because it doesn't prove U.S. citizenship.

I don't know anything about information listed on Thailand birth certificates---but I assumed if it lists both parents, and the name of the child---that would prove the OP was the applicant in question, and match the names on the parents' naturalization certificates.  That's what they need to see as proof right now, since he doesn't have his own naturalization certificate.

 

 I am under the impression the OP thinks it's hard/"way too much trouble" to get the birth certificate from out of the country....only because he/she didn't say it was "pointless" based on lack of information on the birth certificate...but "pointless" because it would be "too much trouble" to get.

Edited September 5, 2017 by Going through

[Stef990 0]

1 hour ago, Going through said:

 

If the State Dept.is requesting specific forms of documents, they will only accept the options specified in the letter you receive, most likely.  Proof of citizenship is required to obtain a US passport....not the other way around.

 

 Is there  not a birth registrar in Thailand where you can obtain a copy of your birth certificate?

 

Actually, a passport can be used to show proof of citizenship.  My problem is getting approved.  I'm just confused, as I was I given a green card prior without a birth certificate?  Our family entered the US as refugees.  Even though, I wasn't born in the US, I've basically been here my whole life.  I'm just saying obtaining a birth certificate seems troublesome, as I'm not very fluent in Thai.  Plus locating the exact hospital where I was born can be tough.  I'm not sure how well they maintain records in Thailand, I'm betting it's not very good especially in the 80s.  

[Going through 5,671]

5 minutes ago, Stef990 said:

Actually, a passport can be used to show proof of citizenship.

Yes....AFTER you show proof of citizenship to obtain one.  You can then use a passport as proof of citizenship for other purposes.

 

However, you cannot get a US passport without first proving you are a US citizen.

Edited September 6, 2017 by Going through

[Going through 5,671]

3 minutes ago, Stef990 said:

I'm just saying obtaining a birth certificate seems troublesome, as I'm not very fluent in Thai.

Perhaps your parents can help you with this part then---if they are fluent in the language?

[Going through 5,671]

12 minutes ago, Stef990 said:

 I'm just confused, as I was I given a green card prior without a birth certificate?  Our family entered the US as refugees.

This would have been the reason why your birth certificate was not a required document in getting your GC.  

 

Unfortunately there's really no way around submitting the documentation the State Department is asking for.  When you filled out the passport application it stated clearly what was needed as required evidence to submit with the application in terns of proof of citizenship...

Edited September 6, 2017 by Going through

[Stef990 0]

1 minute ago, Going through said:

Yes....AFTER you show proof of citizenship to obtain one.  You cannot get a US passport without first proving you are a US citizen.

 

Yes, I understand that part. Which is why I included my parent's certificates.  In fact, I lost $600 after applying and passing my interview and test for naturalization just to be told I'm a citizen already!  This was a few years ago.  The lady who conducted my interview told me it was cheaper to get a passport than a certificate ($1200us).   Oddly enough, I didn't think to question her further or do anything about it until now.  And, of course, any payment to the state department is no refund.  

 

 

 

"Under current law, children under 18 automatically acquire U.S. citizenship ifthree requirements are met. The child must have U.S. lawful permanent resident status (“green card” holder). At least one parentmust be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization."

[Going through 5,671]

5 minutes ago, Stef990 said:

"Under current law, children under 18 automatically acquire U.S. citizenship ifthree requirements are met. The child must have U.S. lawful permanent resident status (“green card” holder). At least one parentmust be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization."

Yes you are a citizen of the US----I was never arguing that fact.

Having proof of that citizenship, though, is a different matter---that's what you don't have right now to submit for the passport application.

 

Including your parents naturalization certificates in your passport application doesn't prove that YOU are also a naturalized citizen.  Because there is no proof given to the passport office that YOU are your parent's child---which is what the birth certificate would prove, which is why they are now asking for it---do you understand what I'm trying to get at?

Edited September 6, 2017 by Going through

[Going through 5,671]

From the passport application form:

 

U.S. Citizenship through Naturalization of a Parent

If you were born outside the United States and acquired U.S. citizenship through the naturalization of your parent(s), please submit the following with your passport application:

• Your foreign birth certificate listing your parent(s)
• Your parent(s)’ naturalization certificate
• Evidence of your permanent residence status. Examples include:
  • Permanent Resident Card/Green Card
  • Foreign passport with the original I-551 visa entry stamp
• Your parents' marriage certificate (if your parents were married when you legally entered the U.S. and before your 18th birthday) 
• Documentation of legal custody (if your parents were not married when you legally entered the U.S.)
• Evidence of your legitimation (if your parents were not married at the time of your birth). Examples include:
  • Your parents' marriage certificate dated after your birth
  • Certified court order of legitimation 

[Stef990 0]

14 minutes ago, Going through said:

Yes you are a citizen of the US----I was never arguing that fact.

Having proof of that citizenship, though, is a different matter---that's what you don't have right now to submit for the passport application.

 

Including your parents naturalization certificates in your passport application doesn't prove that YOU are also a naturalized citizen.  Because there is no proof given to the passport office that YOU are your parent's child---which is what the birth certificate would prove, which is why they are now asking for it---do you understand what I'm trying to get at?

 

 

Yes, I just don't see why they can't work together with USCIS to get that info.  

[Going through 5,671]

2 minutes ago, Stef990 said:

 

 

Yes, I just don't see why they can't work together with USCIS to get that info.  

Because they are two separate government agencies.  

In a perfect world, it would be nice though.

Edited September 6, 2017 by Going through

[jane78 12]

On 9/5/2017 at 6:04 PM, Stef990 said:

  I'm just saying obtaining a birth certificate seems troublesome, as I'm not very fluent in Thai.  Plus locating the exact hospital where I was born can be tough.  I'm not sure how well they maintain records in Thailand, I'm betting it's not very good especially in the 80s.  

Give Thailand a chance before you decide it's going to be too hard. Ask your parents to help you make the request. It's not a bad thing to have your birth certificate anyway. 

[cyclone27 710]

Trip to the nearest Thai embassy would be your first step. I am sure your parents know what hospital you were born in.