RFE

[Naijabound 1]

Got our RFE in the mail today. They are requesting the "original" foreign birth certificate. My husbands birth certificate got burned in a fire when he was small. He got a declaration of age from the National Population Commision when going through the interview process. The embassy was satisfied with that and that is what I sent a copy of with his AOS package. We have no way of getting anything else. Should I send in his original of that? I know they will not return it and he may need it in the future. Or just make another copy and send it in again with a letter explaining this is all we have? Thanks

[chiommy 0]

Got our RFE in the mail today. They are requesting the "original" foreign birth certificate. My husbands birth certificate got burned in a fire when he was small. He got a declaration of age from the National Population Commision when going through the interview process. The embassy was satisfied with that and that is what I sent a copy of with his AOS package. We have no way of getting anything else. Should I send in his original of that? I know they will not return it and he may need it in the future. Or just make another copy and send it in again with a letter explaining this is all we have? Thanks

I really think USCIS should get its act straight as to what it needs from Nigeria. My sister got the same RFE that you got and what she did was resend a copy of the declaration of age from National Population commission, a copy of her baptismal card and two original affidavits from two witnesses (paternal uncle and maternal aunt) attesting to the date and place of her birth. The affidavit should contain the names, dates of birth, current residence and relationship of the witnesses to your husband. It's usually done in the court. Let me know if you need any additional information. Hang in there.

Chiommy

[Naijabound 1]

I really think USCIS should get its act straight as to what it needs from Nigeria. My sister got the same RFE that you got and what she did was resend a copy of the declaration of age from National Population commission, a copy of her baptismal card and two original affidavits from two witnesses (paternal uncle and maternal aunt) attesting to the date and place of her birth. The affidavit should contain the names, dates of birth, current residence and relationship of the witnesses to your husband. It's usually done in the court. Let me know if you need any additional information. Hang in there.

Chiommy

Thanks Chiommy. I stated originally it was a declaration of age from that National Population Commission. It was a declaration of age from the court system there. He is having his mom get a "birth Cert" from the National population Commission that states his full name, date of birth, parents names, etc. Does he still need to get affidavits through the court. He already had to send money for the birth cert and Im sure getting affidavits done would cost as well. Do you remember what your sister had to pay to have the affidavits done? He also has school papers that has his name and date of birth on them and I thought I read somewhere he could send those in with the birth cert from NPC. . I dont really understand USCIS either. He showed the declaration of age to the Embassy at his interview and they accepted it.

[chiommy 0]

Thanks Chiommy. I stated originally it was a declaration of age from that National Population Commission. It was a declaration of age from the court system there. He is having his mom get a "birth Cert" from the National population Commission that states his full name, date of birth, parents names, etc. Does he still need to get affidavits through the court. He already had to send money for the birth cert and Im sure getting affidavits done would cost as well. Do you remember what your sister had to pay to have the affidavits done? He also has school papers that has his name and date of birth on them and I thought I read somewhere he could send those in with the birth cert from NPC. . I dont really understand USCIS either. He showed the declaration of age to the Embassy at his interview and they accepted it.

The declaration/attestation of age from National Population Commission (NPC)is what the NPC gives you when they don't have a record of your birth. NPC began to register births around 1992. So, unless your husband was born shortly before or after 1992, I don't think a birth certificate from NPC will help you as the date of issue will be more than one year after the date of birth.

Sending copies of school records/papers is not a bad idea as it's accepted secondary evidence

The Statutory Declaration of Age as it's called is usually typed up at the court house and signed by the commissioner for oaths. I got one for my mom back in 2008 and the document has oath fee 200 Naira. But as you may know. In Nigeria, there's official and unofficial fee. The unofficial is usually dependent on your bargaining power. I can PM you a copy of the one I had them get for my mom with her personal information blacked out if that'll help you. Let me know.

[Naijabound 1]

The declaration/attestation of age from National Population Commission (NPC)is what the NPC gives you when they don't have a record of your birth. NPC began to register births around 1992. So, unless your husband was born shortly before or after 1992, I don't think a birth certificate from NPC will help you as the date of issue will be more than one year after the date of birth.

Sending copies of school records/papers is not a bad idea as it's accepted secondary evidence

The Statutory Declaration of Age as it's called is usually typed up at the court house and signed by the commissioner for oaths. I got one for my mom back in 2008 and the document has oath fee 200 Naira. But as you may know. In Nigeria, there's official and unofficial fee. The unofficial is usually dependent on your bargaining power. I can PM you a copy of the one I had them get for my mom with her personal information blacked out if that'll help you. Let me know.

yes, please send the information. Isnt there a place within the local government that he can go get a birth certificate? Uggghhh, this is getting to be to much...

[elus 3]

Thanks Chiommy. I stated originally it was a declaration of age from that National Population Commission. It was a declaration of age from the court system there. He is having his mom get a "birth Cert" from the National population Commission that states his full name, date of birth, parents names, etc. Does he still need to get affidavits through the court. He already had to send money for the birth cert and Im sure getting affidavits done would cost as well. Do you remember what your sister had to pay to have the affidavits done? He also has school papers that has his name and date of birth on them and I thought I read somewhere he could send those in with the birth cert from NPC. . I dont really understand USCIS either. He showed the declaration of age to the Embassy at his interview and they accepted it.

I am also from Nigeria too.I have submitted my package on June 4th 2010 waiting for my biometric.I didnt submit my birth certificate instead I submitted my biodata page of my passport.Before your post something in me was telling me to get my birth certificate from NPC.I know how they do it even before I came to the US.The NPC can only use your declaration of age from the court to process your birth certificate only you are a new born child.I just send called my friend to help me do it for a total cost of 5K at most.I have to scan my passport photograph to them to make two of it.First there has to be a an affidavit from the court to declare once age,they need passport photograph to do it and attach to the paper, that might cost at most #400.Take the declaration of age affidavit to the NPC and I guess it costs like 4K.submit it and the next day it will be ready.The NPC is he only official birth certificate recognised.I guess my will be ready before this Thursday.I might get RFE for that .I told my friend to scan it to me before posting it cos it would be faster that way in case of RFE.I just called my friend that had his own done before in the embassy he said the two go together.The declaration of age and the NPC birth certificate.That the declaration of age is use to get the NPC birth certificate.

Did you submit biodata page of your passport in place of birth certificate.We uscis honor that.

[chiommy 0]

yes, please send the information. Isnt there a place within the local government that he can go get a birth certificate? Uggghhh, this is getting to be to much...

I couldn't figure out how to add an attachment to a private message so I'm back here. In summary, my thoughts to you is:

1. Make a copy of the National Population Declaration of Age that you already have

2. Have two of your husband's relatives execute Statutory Declaration of Age Affidavits at the Magistrate Court (see attached) and send to you. Sample Declaration of Age.pdf

3. Make copies of the school records.

4. If he has a baptismal card, make a copy of it as well.

5. Send Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 to USCIS. I believe these should satisfy them

Good Luck