Naturalization Certificate in Lieu of Birth Certificate

[Papillon26 0]

Hello everyone -

My husband is in the process of immigrating to the U.S. I'm a citizen of the US, he of the UK, but he doesn't have his birth certificate. As a UK citizen, he uses his naturalization certificate. Will this document be accepted in lieu of an original birth certificate for 1-130 purposes? He doesn't have contact with his parents (hasn't for years and years) and hasn't been to his country of birth since he left. Their records are spotty and some were burned during the war. We're worried the lack of a birth certificate will prevent him from being able to immigrate to the U.S. Is there any hope for us?

[JohnR! 5,495]

1339340813[/url]' post='5434742']

Hello everyone -

My husband is in the process of immigrating to the U.S. I'm a citizen of the US, he of the UK, but he doesn't have his birth certificate. As a UK citizen, he uses his naturalization certificate. Will this document be accepted in lieu of an original birth certificate for 1-130 purposes? He doesn't have contact with his parents (hasn't for years and years) and hasn't been to his country of birth since he left. Their records are spotty and some were burned during the war. We're worried the lack of a birth certificate will prevent him from being able to immigrate to the U.S. Is there any hope for us?

I honestly doubt the GB naturalization papers will suffice in this case. He might consider going to the consulate of his former country of citizenship and ask them to help him obtain his birth certificate, a copy thereof, or in the least, an affidavit from that consulate that no birth certificate can be produced for whatever reason.

Although he may have become a GB citizen, he may not have lost his previous citizenship.

Can you disclose the country of which you speak? If so, you may be able to hear from applicants from that country with more accurate first-hand experience or even have someone who is local get this document for him.

Good luck!

[Adriene H 89]

Was there a birth certificate sent to the UK Home Office or Border Agency

at some point over the years? Maybe they have a copy they can share?

Edited June 10, 2012 by Adriene H

[Penguin_ie 6,000]

It would be good to know which country he is from to advice properly but in general no, naturalisation papers from a third country will not do.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Try this link which is a good reference on how to get documents. http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html

First pick a country. Then on that country's page scroll way down past the long table of visas. You will find paragraphs telling if documents are available and who to contact.

And the London embassy has a discussion about if you can't get a BC here http://london.usembassy.gov/document_checklist.html#birth_certificate

Edited June 10, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[Papillon26 0]

Thank you everyone. He's from Kosovo. Public records were burned during the wars and others taken into Serbia. An agreement has been put in place in which Serbia has agreed to return papers I believe, but I don't know how that will be implemented and what those records will be like. We're worried because the institutions there aren't exactly professional, modern and helpful. The bureaucracy is a nightmare.

[jaycali 415]

What did the UK use in lieu of a BC when he got British citizenship? I'd imagine they'd have similar requirements..

[Papillon26 0]

What did the UK use in lieu of a BC when he got British citizenship? I'd imagine they'd have similar requirements..

He was granted UK citizenship without the birth certificate. He uses his certificate of naturalization for all purposes.

[Mudasirk 1]

He was granted UK citizenship without the birth certificate. He uses his certificate of naturalization for all purposes.

There shouldn't be an issue if a birth certificate can't be found or is not available. However, You must have him make sworn affidavit from both of his parents. If those are also not possible, then the closest relative, uncle, aunt or if not, then a family friend that is older than he is.

Other suggestion such as going to kosovo embassy is also good.

read more: http://www.path2usa.com/us-birth-certificate

[jaycali 415]

"Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates

Available. Birth (Certifikate e Lindjes/ Izvod

Rodjenih), marriage (Certifikate e Marteses/

Izvod Vencanih) and death certificates,

(Certifikate e Vdekjes/Izvod Umrlih) are

available from the civil registrar with

jurisdiction over the locality where the event

occurred. If the event occurred abroad, the

Kosovar citizen may choose to report it to the

local authorities and is then issued the

corresponding document, listing the foreign

country as the place of occurrence of the

event. The fact that a marriage took place by

proxy is not usually evident from the marriage

certificate. Only civil marriages are legal in

Kosovo."

- Quoted from the state dept website that nich-nick referred to.