Submitted Birth Certificate document "Difficult to Read"

[Lia Luisa 0]

Hi everyone!! A year in to our green card process & this is the first time I've chanced up in this website with a lot of great information that I could have used while preparing for everything !!! But better late than never. 

 

Anyway, I've been trying to look for topics about submitted documents that are not  being accepted because they're "difficult to read" and I haven't seen any yet. 

 

Has anyone ever encountered submitting a Birth Certificate that's not being accepted by NVC (via online portal/submission) because it's "difficult to read"? I've tried to submit a clearer copy but coming from the Local City Registrar's office as opposed to the Philippine Statistics Office's copy which, I believe, is what NVC looks for and requires. And of course it came back as an "invalid" doc. 

 

My question is for anyone who's encountered this- what are the next steps, and how long it took? 

 

This is the only document left to be checked and approved for me. Look forward to some helpful information! Thanks!!!

[Daisy.Chain 317]

28 minutes ago, Lia Luisa said:

 

I don't know much about the Manila embassy, so I may be shooting in the dark here. However, is the document in English?

 

If it's not (and possibly if it is!) I wonder if you could attach a translation and certification of ability to translate, along with a note explaining the issue.

 

Translating English to English might be interesting.. but maybe you could make it clearer if it's hard to read or rephrase it a little?

 

What is hard to read about it?

 

Anyone else want to chime in?

Edited July 4, 2019 by Daisy.Chain

[Lia Luisa 0]

2 minutes ago, Daisy.Chain said:

I don't know much about the Manila embassy, so I may be shooting in the dark here. However, is the document in English?

 

If it's not (and possibly if it is!) I wonder if you could attach a translation and certification of ability to translate, along with a note explaining the issue.

 

Translating English to English might be interesting.. but maybe you could make it clearer if it's hard to read or rephrase it a little?

 

What is hard to read about it?

 

Anyone else want to chime in?

Hi Daisy, yes the document is in English. I do agree that it's hard to read. 96% of what is on it is hard to read. From my full name to my parents name, everything. It's how it's printed fron the Philippine Statistics Office which seems odd since the original copy from the Local City Registrar's office (where I was born) is clear enough to read. 

 

But your suggestion "..attach a translation and certification of ability to translate, along with a note explaining the issue."  

 

Anyone here have had to go through this? And has maybe tried Daisy.Chain's suggestion at all? 

 

"Translating English to English might be interesting.. but maybe you could make it clearer if it's hard to read or rephrase it a little?" --->> I've tried to scan both copies from Phil. Statistic's Office and Local City Registrar's office and put a note that they are both the same documents that support each other. But they still came back and said it's "invalid" 😕

 

Thanks Daisy!!

[midwinterrose 263]

2 hours ago, Lia Luisa said:

Hi Daisy, yes the document is in English. I do agree that it's hard to read. 96% of what is on it is hard to read. From my full name to my parents name, everything. It's how it's printed fron the Philippine Statistics Office which seems odd since the original copy from the Local City Registrar's office (where I was born) is clear enough to read. 

 

But your suggestion "..attach a translation and certification of ability to translate, along with a note explaining the issue."  

 

Anyone here have had to go through this? And has maybe tried Daisy.Chain's suggestion at all? 

 

"Translating English to English might be interesting.. but maybe you could make it clearer if it's hard to read or rephrase it a little?" --->> I've tried to scan both copies from Phil. Statistic's Office and Local City Registrar's office and put a note that they are both the same documents that support each other. But they still came back and said it's "invalid" 😕

 

Thanks Daisy!!

What about it is hard to read? Small print? Stamps/seals obscuring words? Faded text? Poor contrast issues can easily be corrected in Photoshop or similar programs.

[MarryMe987654 241]

Some birth certificates in the Philippines are written in cursive. Some are poorly printed or letters are typed in improperly (letters typed on top of other letters or shadowed, etc.).

The PSA or Philippine Statistics Authority, then scan a copy of it on a security paper. 

 

Here's an example:

 

According to the PSA website, this can be resolved by requesting the local civil registrar to endorse a clearer copy to PSA. If the record in the civil registry and PSA is not clear, a petition can be filed to correct it.

 

Since you are overseas, a family member in the Philippines can do this for you.

 

More information available here > https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/problems-and-solutions/blurred

 

I understand that the link is talking about 'blurred' copies of birth certificate but this may also help on your case.

 

Hope this helps!

 

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to Philippines regional forum for country specific answers in regards to the OP's documentation.

[Hank_ 9,171]

11 hours ago, Lia Luisa said:

Hi everyone!! A year in to our green card process & this is the first time I've chanced up in this website with a lot of great information that I could have used while preparing for everything !!! But better late than never. 

 

Anyway, I've been trying to look for topics about submitted documents that are not  being accepted because they're "difficult to read" and I haven't seen any yet. 

 

Has anyone ever encountered submitting a Birth Certificate that's not being accepted by NVC (via online portal/submission) because it's "difficult to read"? I've tried to submit a clearer copy but coming from the Local City Registrar's office as opposed to the Philippine Statistics Office's copy which, I believe, is what NVC looks for and requires. And of course it came back as an "invalid" doc. 

 

My question is for anyone who's encountered this- what are the next steps, and how long it took? 

 

This is the only document left to be checked and approved for me. Look forward to some helpful information! Thanks!!!

Have you went back to PSA to request a clear copy.    Ya, I know.. sometimes they are never clear.

 

Is the copy from the local registry clear?   

 

Have you tried calling NVC ?    

 

(603) 334-0700. Please be advised that the NVC has temporarily changed the hours of operation for our call center.  Customer Service Representatives are available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.  Due to high call volumes, wait times can be in excess of 30 minutes. 

 

 

[Lia Luisa 0]

8 hours ago, MarryMe987654 said:

Some birth certificates in the Philippines are written in cursive. Some are poorly printed or letters are typed in improperly (letters typed on top of other letters or shadowed, etc.).

The PSA or Philippine Statistics Authority, then scan a copy of it on a security paper. 

 

Here's an example:

 

According to the PSA website, this can be resolved by requesting the local civil registrar to endorse a clearer copy to PSA. If the record in the civil registry and PSA is not clear, a petition can be filed to correct it.

 

Since you are overseas, a family member in the Philippines can do this for you.

 

More information available here > https://psa.gov.ph/civilregistration/problems-and-solutions/blurred

 

I understand that the link is talking about 'blurred' copies of birth certificate but this may also help on your case.

 

Hope this helps!

 

This is very helpful MarryMe, thank you. I've decided to fly to the town where I was born and request my local civil registrar to endorse a clearer copy to PSA since their copy is clear to start with. 

 

Hoping for the best!

[Lia Luisa 0]

1 hour ago, Hank_ said:

Have you went back to PSA to request a clear copy.    Ya, I know.. sometimes they are never clear.

 

Is the copy from the local registry clear?   

 

Have you tried calling NVC ?    

 

(603) 334-0700. Please be advised that the NVC has temporarily changed the hours of operation for our call center.  Customer Service Representatives are available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.  Due to high call volumes, wait times can be in excess of 30 minutes. 

 

 

Thank you Hank_ , I've decided to fly to the place where I was born and request for LCR to request PSA to provide a clearer copy of my BC. 

 

I very much appreciate giving me NVC's number. I will also call them. Their business hours is US timezone, right? 

 

Thanks everyone!!! You're all really great !!! 

[Lia Luisa 0]

11 hours ago, radharose said:

What about it is hard to read? Small print? Stamps/seals obscuring words? Faded text? Poor contrast issues can easily be corrected in Photoshop or similar programs.

Blurry with shadows.. 

 

"Poor contrast issues can easily be corrected in Photoshop or similar programs." --> so scan it then edit via photophop?

[Hank_ 9,171]

9 hours ago, Lia Luisa said:

Thank you Hank_ , I've decided to fly to the place where I was born and request for LCR to request PSA to provide a clearer copy of my BC. 

 

I very much appreciate giving me NVC's number. I will also call them. Their business hours is US timezone, right? 

 

Thanks everyone!!! You're all really great !!! 

Yes that is U.S. time, eastern time zone.    They have an email also, I will hunt it down.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/contact-us/us-visas.html

Edited July 5, 2019 by Hank_

[Lia Luisa 0]

16 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Yes that is U.S. time, eastern time zone.    They have an email also, I will hunt it down.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/contact-us/us-visas.html

Okay I will call them. Then follow it up with email. Just want to know exactly why they're not accepting it and what I need to submit exactly.

[Reii 0]

On 7/4/2019 at 9:59 PM, Lia Luisa said:

Blurry with shadows.. 

 

"Poor contrast issues can easily be corrected in Photoshop or similar programs." --> so scan it then edit via photophop?

Hi Lia Luisa, 

Can you submit a photoshop birth certificate to rfe? 

I have the same problem, got a blurred copy

[Carpe Vinum 2,308]

My wife always carried her original local BC because her PSA BC is impossible to read. She knew to submit it with her PSA copy to the Manila embassy. We were shocked when they gave the local original back to her when she got her visa package...It was neatly folded under the passport.

[Hank_ 9,171]

3 hours ago, Reii said:

Hi Lia Luisa, 

Can you submit a photoshop birth certificate to rfe? 

I have the same problem, got a blurred copy

No.