URGENT Birth Certificate Help...

[the_bears 1]

Yup. I'm THAT guy. That guy that I never thought I would be. And about 2 days before my appointment I come to realise that I don't have a 'long-form' birth certificate. That is to say that my birth certificate is a little square piece of paper that doesn't have any of my parents information on it.

I know this is the wrong one. I am just realising that now, for whatever reason, it was something my eyes have just chosen to blank out. I'm an idiot.

It is now Monday evening as I write this - my appointment is at 1pm on Thursday afternoon. Is there ANY chance of me being able to get a long-form birthday certificate before then? I'll literally do whatever I need to do to get one in time. I was born in Surrey but now live in Leeds, I'll happily go down to the local offices on Wednesday if it means I can pick one up the day before?! I just don't know if that is even possible?

Please any help at this point would be HUGELY appreciated to make me feel like somewhat less of an absolute idiot.

Also, to make matters even worse (yup, it's just been one of those days...) I registered to pay the MRV fee over the weekend and in my wisdom I selected the wrong option (I chose immigrant visa instead of K-1.... it gets me every single time the difference in my head). However, I can't seem to cancel this or delete the appointment or anything and obviously can't just register because their system already believes that there is an appointment with that Case number etc. I've e-mailed the embassy to see what I can do to change that, but due to the bank holiday haven't heard anything yet. Any advice please?! I just need some reassurance today that I'm not the worlds biggest idiot and that these problems can be fixed.

[spahawk 10]

Obviously give the Registrar in Surrey a call; but I would think that you can still go for your interview and explain to them what has happened. I am sure you will be able to send in a copy after the interview. True, you may not be officially approved on the day but supply the document and you should be good to go.

Coincidentally, I also have my interview this Thursday at 1pm..good luck.

[blk 87]

Hi if the registry office in Surrey is anything like mine in Worcester then you can order one over the phone & then go in & collect it by hand, it will properly cost you a little more but at least you will have it for your interview. Also why not get an extra one just in case.

Brian

[Boiler 43,438]

In London some years back I just went and got mine, may have changed since then.

[the_bears 1]

Thanks for all the help everyone - I have use the Surrey Council website and ordered a long-form certificate, which I can pick up from their office. I will just have to make a little detour the morning of my interview to be there for 9am to pick it up & make it into central London by 12:30pm. Not ideal, but I'll have to make it work.

Good luck to you too, Spahawk. You might see me there, I'll be that dude pulling his hair out.

Anybody got any other advice for me on the other (and potentially bigger) problem about "registering" for the wrong type of VISA when trying to pay for my MRV Fee? :/ Eurgh. Idiot.

[Boiler 43,438]

How many did you order?

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Anybody got any other advice for me on the other (and potentially bigger) problem about "registering" for the wrong type of VISA when trying to pay for my MRV Fee? :/ Eurgh. Idiot.

If you are worried about the appointment, that isn't a problem. The same Immigrant Visa Unit folks do immigrant and K1 appointments. You will get an "immigrant" sticker and number when you go in.

If you paid $325 (immigrant) instead of $265 (K visa), you may not get a refund, but you have a receipt showing you are paid up plus. Sort it when you get there. It is all fixable, even going without the proper birth certificate.

[ChasUno 101]

Anyone else who needs a copy of their birth certificate quickly (sent via 1st class post the next working day), you can order it online with a priority delivery from the GRO:

"Priority service

A priority service is available for £23.40. Your certificate will be sent the next working day by first class post if you order by 4pm.

Phone the GRO to arrange special delivery.

General Register Office
Telephone: 0300 123 1837
Text relay: 18001 0300 123 1837
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 9am to 4pm"

https://www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate#other-ways-to-apply

[the_bears 1]

If you are worried about the appointment, that isn't a problem. The same Immigrant Visa Unit folks do immigrant and K1 appointments. You will get an "immigrant" sticker and number when you go in.

If you paid $325 (immigrant) instead of $265 (K visa), you may not get a refund, but you have a receipt showing you are paid up plus. Sort it when you get there. It is all fixable, even going without the proper birth certificate.

That's the strange thing, I don't have the option anywhere it seems to actually pay anything?! I guess because I've registered under the different visa category perhaps it isn't prompting for payment anywhere? At this point I'd happily pay the extra $60 or whatever and be done with it. I called the call centre for them and whilst the woman was very polite she basically said there's nothing that she could do about it & that I would have to e-mail their customer support e-mail & they MIGHT be able to sort it. I've e-mailed so hopefully they will see it sooner than the 3-4 business days they quote you :/ time to pray.

[the_bears 1]

Hello,

Just a quick update for anyone reading this in the future that may have the same problem I did. It is in fact very easy to get quick copies of your birth certificate from your local council where you were born, and it seems they can have them turned around very quickly, if you need it that way. I'd highly recommend just ticking it off the list early, however, and avoiding any unnecessary stress. Trust me on that one. Also, if you do screw up the MRV thing, and you realise it sooner than e-mail the support e-mail address ASAP, because it will take them a couple of days to get back to you. Thankfully, I had a response the night before my interview and they were able to fix my screw up, so I could pay the MRV fee before my interview.

So, thankfully everything went absolutely fine at my interview. It was very easy, once I got to the window both times. I think I got asked about three questions & that was it. The woman at the 2nd window was in fact very nice and friendly and just make everything a million times easier as soon as I got up there. Although, I think due to all the appointment times being PM ones, the place was absolutely packed. I must have been in there close to 4 hours in the end, I've never seen it that busy before. Anyway, I picked my passport up last week, it was about 10 days from Interview to it being back with me in Leeds, so not bad really. Thank you to everyone who has helped out! I owe you all many, many drinks to say thank you. Now, onto the next phase!...

[wbeem 567]

Glad to hear you got it sorted. Are all the wedding plans coming together now?

Oh, and I'm not sure if I've ever helped you, but I'd love a G&T if you're buying drinks

Have a safe journey and all the best for your move, the wedding and your new life in the U.S.