I have reviewed several previous threads related to China birth certificates, but did not find one that quite addresses my situation. I am hoping someone familiar can suggest something? Thank you all in advance.
Background:
My fiance has contacted the notary office in her hometown to confirm what documents are required to generate a notarial birth certificate ( , which I understand is what the Guangzhou consulate is looking for. The requirements are as follows:
1) (Hukou-ben, original)
2) (Parents' marriage certificate, original)
3) (official identification cards for both parents, copies accepted)
4) (Applicant's official identification card, original)
Our problem is:
My fiance is estranged from her father, who keeps the family documents under lock and key and is unwilling to provide their Hukou-ben, marriage certificate, or his identification card for use at the notary (which means we only have the mother's ID card copy and my fiance's own ID card). We are attempting to negotiate with the notary office to see if there is any alternative, but so far they are insistent that we provide all of the above documents.
I have two questions:
1) Any suggestions for alternative means to acquire the birth certificate?
2) If a birth certificate cannot be obtained, any suggestions on how to explain it at the interview stage (as Guangzhou consulate's interview checklist requires the birth certificate)?
For those who have read this far (thanks!), here are a few suggestions I have dug up so far:
Re: question 1, I have read that a medical record of birth from a hospital ( can sometimes be substituted for the notarial birth certificate , but my fianc was not born in a hospital and does not believe such a record exists.
Re: question 2, I have read a consular website (not GZ) suggest that we acquire a written statement from a government authority stating why the birth certificate is not available. I feel like this is not relevant to our case - the document technically is available, but we cannot get it printed owing to family drama, and anyway I'm not sure the notary office would play ball writing a note to confirm this situation. Or am I wrong?
Re: question 2, the immigration website Boundless has suggested applicants in our situation get a notarized personal affidavit from a close relative explaining why the birth certificate is not available and listing all of the information that a birth certificate should contain. My fiance's mother might be willing to assist with such a document, but I am uncertain if this is a good strategy as Boundless is not addressing China specifically and I have not seen this approach suggested anywhere else, China or otherwise.