Birthdate Issues

[Aladar 0]

So my gf of 4 years and I have decided to begin the K-1 Visa journey. I'm currently in the "practicing" process of filling out the I-129f about 5 times to make absolute sure I don't miss anything (Safe than sorry right?)

Anywho, on the fiancé DoB, is where I'm having troubles. My gf is Chinese, and she was born in home, and not in a hospital or anything. She says there is no "actual" documentation of her birth. She was born in 1984.

The only documentation that says her DoB is her current ID card. Which, says 1978. Reason is, she had it altered in order to be able to obtain work at an early age to support her family.

So...which birthday do I put? I don't want there to be conflicting stories or anything or ANY problems during anything lol...(Paranoid..haha, scary times). Only her family knows her real birthdate.

I was thinking she could obtain a passport (another form of identification) which has her real birthdate on it. I just don't know how things work over there because I know obtaining a passport in the states they use your SSN, so lying about your age wont really work.

Anyway, thanks for reading, and if anyone has any ideas or suggestions that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Alajoofori 0]

The visa application requires birth certificate for all involved parties. In some countries where home births are common, the parents can complete a declaration of birth signed by both parties. This document can be taken to court for an age declaration hearing. This is where you swear before a judge the date of your birthdate and provide documents such as a letter signed by your parents and any witnesses to your birth. Each country has different legalities on this issue so you should have her check with courts in her area for requirements and recommendations. You can not get around a birth certificate to my knowledge, it is a steadfast requirement. My ex husband had to travel far to his home state and town to make his age declaration and it cost him a bit of money to do so. This is just my experience from going through the visa process back in 2007/08. Hope this helps steer you in the right direction...one last thing, do not lie or declare anything in the application that can not be solidly backed up with documentation!! Worse thing ever that you could do. Cross your T's and dot your I's in every form you complete. :-)

[jjpgyitr4evr 6]

Im almost in a similar situation. ..when and if you find out something can you let me know as well? ?? Thanks

[Aladar 0]

I will do jjpgyitr4evr. I am thinking that since she didn't have any documentation at birth, no one knew her actual birthday as far as China is concerned. But since she got her ID card, and put a different date, that date is when China thinks she was born, and there is no way out of this. I don't know. Im thinking crazy, maybe its solidified, and no way to be undone without raising any red flags from conflicting birthdates.

[longtruelove 11]

i think she needs to use the one on her ID since she already declared that as her dob. She will probably need to go to certification/records office with parents in tow to get some sort of official date of birth document. They will make one for her since they probably have no record of birth. May take a while before you have an official document she will need for the interview and AOS.

Edited February 20, 2014 by longtruelove

[Aladar 0]

Yea Im thinking that's how its going to have to be. Just ride it out this way. Whats done is done I suppose.

But if anyone else has any ideas or suggestions I'd love to hear them.

[agnesb 47]

Maybe checking this will shed some light on your case: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/CH.html#docs

Good luck