No original birth certificate; Montreal consulate no help

[oogie 0]

I'm concerned with the original birth certificate requirement of the K1 visa process.

I was not issued a birth certificate at birth in China. I immigrated to Canada 19 years ago with my parents, and at that time, I was issued a Notarial Certificate of my birth, which was used as the birth certificate requirement for immigration paperwork. I still have a photocopy of this certificate with translation - but not a certified copy, and I no longer have the original. My parents believe the original was submitted at some point during the Canadian immigration process and never returned.

I am unable to obtain another certificate issued from China, because no one in my immediate family lives in China, and when we became Canadian citizens, we gave up our Chinese IDs (hukou), which is necessary to obtain such a certificate.

I have my Record of Landing from Canada which lists my birth date/place, and my father's birth date/place, and I'm also prepared to get my mom (and/or dad) to sign an affidavit stating the details of my birth.

I emailed the Montreal consulate these details more than three weeks ago asking if those documents could be used instead of an original birth certificate, and today received a reply that did not address my question whatsoever, and just restated the documents I need to bring to the interview (beginning of course with the original birth certificate). Seriously, #######! After three weeks, they send me an email copied off the website?? Infuriating.

Anyone have experience with this type of situation, who could provide some guidance on what other documents I should look into trying to obtain?

I have two weeks until my interview, and this is the only thing I'm not 100% sure about.

Edited September 20, 2012 by oogie

[amberlynnloves 125]

I would call the DOS and ask them. If they can't help, ask to speak to someone directly at the consulate.

[oogie 0]

Both my fiance and I have called the NVC, and they said there's nothing they can do and to contact the consulate. And with Montreal, the only way is email.

[C-ma'am 684]

Just wanted to let you know that I took care of the other post you made in the main K1 forum. From the content of your post, I see that its more suitable here in the Canada forum, so I'll leave this one where it is.

[tracy&david 2]

I'm concerned with the original birth certificate requirement of the K1 visa process.

I was not issued a birth certificate at birth in China. I immigrated to Canada 19 years ago with my parents, and at that time, I was issued a Notarial Certificate of my birth, which was used as the birth certificate requirement for immigration paperwork. I still have a photocopy of this certificate with translation - but not a certified copy, and I no longer have the original. My parents believe the original was submitted at some point during the Canadian immigration process and never returned.

I am unable to obtain another certificate issued from China, because no one in my immediate family lives in China, and when we became Canadian citizens, we gave up our Chinese IDs (hukou), which is necessary to obtain such a certificate.

I have my Record of Landing from Canada which lists my birth date/place, and my father's birth date/place, and I'm also prepared to get my mom (and/or dad) to sign an affidavit stating the details of my birth.

I emailed the Montreal consulate these details more than three weeks ago asking if those documents could be used instead of an original birth certificate, and today received a reply that did not address my question whatsoever, and just restated the documents I need to bring to the interview (beginning of course with the original birth certificate). Seriously, #######! After three weeks, they send me an email copied off the website?? Infuriating.

Anyone have experience with this type of situation, who could provide some guidance on what other documents I should look into trying to obtain?

I have two weeks until my interview, and this is the only thing I'm not 100% sure about.

The notarial certificate should work. I do not have my birth certificate either but I got a paper which states my name, my birthday and where i was born and my parents name(Zhengming)in Chinese and had it translated to English and notarized. If you are not sure you can get another one like mine. Considering the time, you can ask your family in China to do it for you but i don't know if it can be done in two weeks as mail from China takes long time.

Hope it helps

Good Luck

[tracy&david 2]

Both my fiance and I have called the NVC, and they said there's nothing they can do and to contact the consulate. And with Montreal, the only way is email.

The notarial certificate should work. I do not have my birth certificate either but I got a paper which states my name, my birthday and where i was born and my parents name(Zhengming)in Chinese and had it translated to English and notarized. If you are not sure you can get another one like mine. Considering the time, you can ask your family in China to do it for you but i don't know if it can be done in two weeks as mail from China takes long time.

Hope it helps

Good Luck

[oogie 0]

But my notarial certificate is just a photocopy, could that work? I do have both my parent's actual notarial certificates though. I don't have any immediate family in China.

[oogie 0]

Update: Visa approved! They accepted the photocopy of notarial certificate of birth along with an affidavit from my mother.

[amberlynnloves 125]

Update: Visa approved! They accepted the photocopy of notarial certificate of birth along with an affidavit from my mother.

Wonderful news!! Congratulations! Please write a review of the Montreal embassy when you get a chance! I'm curious to hear how everything went!

[oogie 0]

It's already up!

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

Congrats!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Congratulations! I'm glad they were reasonable about your circumstances .