Birth Certificate Clarification

[richardwantstokno 0]

Hello,

 

Planning to AOS within US from F1, spouse is USC. I was born in Syria but was not a citizen (both parents citizens of Armenia and I always was a citizen of Armenia). My parents obtained a birth certificate from the Russian embassy in Syria stating that I was born there. Currently, I have my birth certificate issued by Armenia officially that also states place of birth as Syria. Will this cause a problem during AOS such as RFE? My worry is that they will expect a Syrian birth certificate based on the schedule of requirements.

 

[OldUser 8,531]

Docs that will be accepted listed here:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Syria.html

 

 

[richardwantstokno 0]

I understand that but i have no documents from syria at all. I was never a citizen or resident

[Lemonslice 5,064]

10 minutes ago, richardwantstokno said:

I understand that but i have no documents from syria at all. I was never a citizen or resident

Then, from what is written in the reciprocity schedule posted above, it seems you will need to reach out to a lawyer to find these documents for you.  

[richardwantstokno 0]

That is not possible unfortunately.

[OldUser 8,531]

26 minutes ago, richardwantstokno said:

That is not possible unfortunately.

It's not possible to get GC unless you make USCIS happy and give them what they expect from you. 

 

Don't give up before you try. If you have documented efforts of trying to get docs without success - that is what USCIS may accept. By they won't just believe you because you say it's impossible. The sooner you start getting the docs, the better. It's not fun getting RFE or denial from USCIS and losing all filing fees.

 

Birth certificate is crucial piece of evidence proving you are who you say you are. Especially when high risk country involved. 

Edited March 26 by OldUser

[richardwantstokno 0]

But I do have a BC from Armenia that states my birthplace as Syria. My parents never registered my birth in Syria as it was a emergency birth and we only stayed there temporarily.

[OldUser 8,531]

1 minute ago, richardwantstokno said:

But I do have a BC from Armenia that states my birthplace as Syria. My parents never registered my birth in Syria as it was a emergency birth and we only stayed there temporarily.

USCIS follows a strict process with strict requirements. I cannot tell you what to do, just giving heads up about potential problem for your I-485.

[Lemonslice 5,064]

2 minutes ago, richardwantstokno said:

But I do have a BC from Armenia that states my birthplace as Syria. My parents never registered my birth in Syria as it was a emergency birth and we only stayed there temporarily.

Well, submit that then.  You will be ok, until they request the Syrian birth certificate.    

 

 

[TBoneTX 46,685]

Richard, welcome to the forum!  You've received good advice from highly experienced members.  Good luck to you, and be sure to report further developments.

[richardwantstokno 0]

13 hours ago, Lemonslice said:

Well, submit that then.  You will be ok, until they request the Syrian birth certificate.    

 

 

Thanks for the sarcasm

[Gabriel5454 23]

The document you have from Armenia, is it called like this?

Quote

State Certificate About Birth (ՊԵՏԱԿԱՆ ՎԿԱՅԱԿԱՆ ԾՆՆԴԻ ՄԱՍԻՆ)

That should be the document you need and considered your birth certificate, I believe.  I got this information from the reciprocity and civil documents schedule that was shared above.  The document you have from the Russian embassy should serve as secondary evidence.  Everything must be translated into English.  I suggest providing everything together with the Armenian document first.  There is still chance that USCIS will want to see something else so I would also prepare for that possibility if you can.  When was your Armenian birth certificate registered?  Was it more than one year after your date of birth?

Edited March 26 by Gabriel5454

[Lemonslice 5,064]

2 hours ago, richardwantstokno said:

Thanks for the sarcasm

It wasn't sarcasm.  Use what you have, now.  If they accept it, great.  If not, you'll have the instructions on how to get that they want. 

[richardwantstokno 0]

5 hours ago, Gabriel5454 said:

The document you have from Armenia, is it called like this?

That should be the document you need and considered your birth certificate, I believe.  I got this information from the reciprocity and civil documents schedule that was shared above.  The document you have from the Russian embassy should serve as secondary evidence.  Everything must be translated into English.  I suggest providing everything together with the Armenian document first.  There is still chance that USCIS will want to see something else so I would also prepare for that possibility if you can.  When was your Armenian birth certificate registered?  Was it more than one year after your date of birth?

@Gabriel5454 Yes, that is what I have. In the birth place line it says Syria. I have everything translated and certified. I am thinking of writing an affidavit stating that due to the civil unrest in Syria there is no way for me to obtain the document directly. I reached out to the Syrian embassy apparently only the Cuban location is functioning but no response. I managed to ask around some Syrians and they said usually foreigners did not register with local authorities as you must have had Syrian parents to do so. But I did manage to obtain a certificate from a church where I was baptised in Syria that states the location, date of birth, my name, and my parents names as well. It has offical matriarchy stamps and seals. My concern is will USICS stay adamant about the BC or will accept these? I was born in October 25 1996 and the Armenian birth certificate was given out/registered on September 8th 1997 (almost a year later). Does that matter?

 

Edited March 27 by richardwantstokno