Birth Certificate: Original vs. Copy, Short-Form vs. Long-Form

[mrchriscox]

Hi all,

I haven't been able to find a clear answer to this from the immigration website or from browsing the forums here.

I am a US citizen being sponsored by my spouse. I see that I have to send in my birth certificate, but do I have to send in the original or is a copy ok? (For police letters, it seems like only an original is acceptable, but elsewhere I see that for the Canadian sponsor, a copy of his/her Canadian birth certificate is ok).

Additionally, does anyone know if a short-form US birth certificate is acceptable? (essentially just an official document saying that a birth certificate exists for a given person) Or is a long-form necessary?

Thanks.

 

[bally21]

I sent a copy of my canadian long form birth cert, Also sent a copy of our marriage cert because as far as I am aware, you don't get documents back.

I'm not sure about the american birth cert, but it might be prudent to send a copy of the long form one if you have it.

 

[mrchriscox]

Thanks for the info. The weird thing is, I see on the document checklist that it says for the Canadian sponsor, to provide a copy of the identity document (birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card, etc.), but for the sponsored person, it just says to provide a birth certificate, without specifying whether or not it should be a copy. I'm assuming a copy is sufficient (especially since the documents aren't returned) but I'm just looking for confirmation.

Has any sponsored person sent in a copy of his/her birth certificate and been approved?

 

[Fencesitter]

The Canadian sponsor only needs to submit ONE identity document according to the list given on the document checklist. I'm pretty sure it states on one of the checklists to submit COPIES unless instructed otherwise. Copies are fine for the marriage license, birth certificate, passport copy, etc. If the language for any document is not in English or French, it would be wise to get them translated and notarized.

FS

 

[CharlieD10]

Documents may be copies unless otherwise specified. Copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates are fine for submission to Buffalo, never seen them request to see the originals.

You'll want to send the copy of the long-form, which shows the names of your parents, and acts as a confirmation of your background information.

 

[Fencesitter]

You mean that in addition to the copy of the bio-date page of my passport (one of the documents on the list), we should also send a copy of our birth certificate as well? Please confirm.

Thanks,

FS

 

[canadiangirl78]

I sent the short form birth certificate.

FS, you just need one or the other. I sent in both because I could.

 

[Fencesitter]

That's a relief. Thanks.

I actually sent in my current passport bio-date page and my older one as well...both show all the info that they need...the main one being that I am a Canadian citizen.

FS