Certificate of Live Birth vs Birth Certificate

[os306 103]

Hi all,

 

I wasn't able to find a definitive answer by searching through previous threads, so was wondering if someone could help. We are awaiting adjudication of our I-130 petition and are currently preparing documents that we will have to submit alongside form I-864. We will be using a joint sponsor, and we understand that the joint sponsor is required to provide proof of US citizenship or permanent resident status. Our joint sponsor is a US citizen, however, he does not have a passport. However, he does have his original US Certificate of Live Birth from New York state. The instructions for form I-864 state that a Birth Certificate will suffice, but we're slightly confused  about whether a Certificate of Live Birth is the same as a Birth Certificate. I've seen conflicting information online, with some sources stating that the Certificate of Live Birth is what the hospital uses for its records, whereas the Birth Certificate is the official document issued by the state. However, to make things confusing, at the bottom of the joint sponsor's Certificate of Live Birth it states "I HEREBY ATTEST, THAT THIS IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE REGISTER OF BIRTHS AS KEPT IN THE CITY OF X, COUNTY OF X, STATE OF NEW YORK." with an accompanying signature from the Registrar of Vital Statistics.

 

To settle any confusion, we would normally have asked the joint sponsor to order a replacement Birth Certificate from New York state, but we have been told that there is a massive backlog with the possibility that a replacement would not be issued until early next year(!)

 

If anyone has been in a similar situation, or has had any experience with this, we would be very grateful for the insight! Thanks

Edited May 12, 2020 by os306

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, os306 said:

However, to make things confusing, at the bottom of the joint sponsor's Certificate of Live Birth it states "I HEREBY ATTEST, THAT THIS IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE REGISTER OF BIRTHS AS KEPT IN THE CITY OF X, COUNTY OF X, STATE OF NEW YORK." with an accompanying signature from the Registrar of Vital Statistics.

That sounds like the birth certificate they want. It is certified by the county registrar. 

[pushbrk 12,883]

Two different names for the same thing.  No worries.

[os306 103]

Thanks!