Birth Certificate

[Jamie and Skye 0]

Hi we are getting everything together to send in our I-129F and are confused about the Birth Certificate do they want photocopies of the original or a photocopy of a certified copy of the birth certificate? or are they the same? It confused me because they ask for a copy front and back and there is nothing on the back of the certified copy.

Can anyone help make this a little clearer?

Thank you

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Your original birth certificate should be certified. Usually done with a colorful watermark or raised stamp. If you're still in doubt, you can always contact vital records department in the hospital you were born. They should be able to make new originals for a small fee. I recommend ordering several copies. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

[jimnlena 8]

That confused me a bit also, I sent copy of certified original and also "copy of back" make sure birth certificate is long form.

[Jamie and Skye 0]

thanks that what we have, just wanted to check is was the right one

[Nik+Heather 121]

What most people think of as the "original" birth certificate is in fact the certified copy.

You will probably never see or touch your original birth certificate. It is held by the government.

If you have a rather official looking piece of paper, that's probably the certified copy, photo copy it, front and back (even if the back is blank) and send that in. You don't need that photo copy stamped or notorized or anything. If they want better proof, they will RFE for it, but I have never heard of that happening.

The rule of thumb for ALL documents throughout the process is that you only mail in photo copies, but take originals with you to interviews etc. If they want an original, they will let you know.

[Jamie and Skye 0]

Okay we have a certified copy, but what does long form mean? We have the one he was giving after he was born but how do I know if it's the long one?

[Jamie and Skye 0]

What most people think of as the "original" birth certificate is in fact the certified copy.

You will probably never see or touch your original birth certificate. It is held by the government.

If you have a rather official looking piece of paper, that's probably the certified copy, photo copy it, front and back (even if the back is blank) and send that in. You don't need that photo copy stamped or notorized or anything. If they want better proof, they will RFE for it, but I have never heard of that happening.

The rule of thumb for ALL documents throughout the process is that you only mail in photo copies, but take originals with you to interviews etc. If they want an original, they will let you know.

Thank you

[Nik+Heather 121]

Okay we have a certified copy, but what does long form mean? We have the one he was giving after he was born but how do I know if it's the long one?

There is certain information which needs to be included on the birth certificate submitted during this process. Most people don't have issues unless there are two versions of a record (like there are in the UK, for example).

The "short" versions usually include the person's name, location and date of birth. Often these are the keepsake sorts, without all that extra "clutter".

The "long" versions will also include the parents' names, and other identifying information such as their dates of birth, place of birth, etc. I'm not sure how much of those details are required, but that's what I saw as the difference between Nik's two.