Is my father's "certificate of birth and baptism" from St John's, Newfoundland an acceptable document for immigration?

[WeillZarin]

I live in the US, and I am applying for Canadian citizenship by descent. My father was a Canadian citizen, and was born in Newfoundland. When I asked for a copy of his birth certificate, he provided me with one that is a "certificate of birth and baptism" from St John's, Newfoundland. It has his name, the date he was born, and my grandparent's name on the document, and said that it is, in fact, his birth certificate he has used all his life. My mother also stated that when they requested his birth certificate from Canada for them to be married, back in the 80's, that is what was sent to them.

I was wondering if this would count as an official document in my application.

 

[hawk39]

Official birth certificates do not include religious information. With that said, if he got it from the Newfoundland government, then it should be acceptable as proof of his Canadian citizenship. If he got it from the church where he was baptized, then he would need to apply for one from Service NL.

 

[Copingwithlife]

Official birth certificates do not include religious information. With that said, if he got it from the Newfoundland government, then it should be acceptable as proof of his Canadian citizenship. If he got it from the church where he was baptized, then he would need to apply for one from Service NL.

Sounds like you have the older version .
Depends whether the IRCC accepts the older version or will request you to get the newer enhanced version

Quote
“ On February 18, 2008, Newfoundland & Labrador introduced a new, more secure and durable Birth Certificate. The new Birth Certificate is made from a strong polymer material and has more than 20 visible and concealed security features to help prevent identity theft.


Individuals may choose to include or exclude parents' information on their Birth Certificate.

Those born in Newfoundland & Labrador are not required to obtain a new Birth Certificate as the old ones remain valid. However, in some instances, where identity security is of utmost importance, citizens may be asked by other agencies to provide the new more secure document as proof of identity or citizenship. “

Other agencies would mean the IRCC for example

 

[hawk39]

Sounds like you have the older version .
Depends whether the IRCC accepts the older version or will request you to get the newer enhanced version

Quote
“ On February 18, 2008, Newfoundland & Labrador introduced a new, more secure and durable Birth Certificate. The new Birth Certificate is made from a strong polymer material and has more than 20 visible and concealed security features to help prevent identity theft.


Individuals may choose to include or exclude parents' information on their Birth Certificate.

Those born in Newfoundland & Labrador are not required to obtain a new Birth Certificate as the old ones remain valid. However, in some instances, where identity security is of utmost importance, citizens may be asked by other agencies to provide the new more secure document as proof of identity or citizenship. “

Other agencies would mean the IRCC for example

I wasn't suggesting that a newer updated birth certificate was needed; rather a birth certificate that can be verified by IRCC. As long as the document says that the birth was registered or recorded with the government, then it should be acceptable because IRCC would be able to verify it by looking in their records.

 

[canuck78]

I wasn't suggesting that a newer updated birth certificate was needed; rather a birth certificate that can be verified by IRCC. As long as the document says that the birth was registered or recorded with the government, then it should be acceptable because IRCC would be able to verify it by looking in their records.

Disagree. I had an old Quebec birth certificate and I was made to get a new version around 20 years ago because mine was no longer being recognized. Because governments are stupid it went from laminated card to 2/3 of a piece of paper. Not very handy to carry around so I got two copies expecting one to get ruined at one point. Got some pretty puzzled looks when I’ve had to pull it out once in a while since I no longer live in Quebec.

 

[hawk39]

Disagree. I had an old Quebec birth certificate and I was made to get a new version around 20 years ago because mine was no longer being recognized. Because governments are stupid it went from laminated card to 2/3 of a piece of paper. Not very handy to carry around so I got two copies expecting one to get ruined at one point. Got some pretty puzzled looks when I’ve had to pull it out once in a while since I no longer live in Quebec.

It seems that Quebec was the exception, as all birth certificates before 1994 were deemed invalid and anyone born before 1994 had to apply for a new birth certificate. Something about the Quebec government finally centralizing all of their records into an official register instead of pulling from multiple sources like churches' archives I believe. The proof of citizenship application also requires that any birth certificates from Quebec before 1994 need to be replaced before it is accepted:

"Quebec government documents
We do not accept birth certificates and marriage certificates issued by the province of Quebec before January 1, 1994 in support of an application for a citizenship certificate.

If you need to replace your Quebec birth or marriage certificate because it was issued before 1994, contact the office of the Directeur de l’état civil du Québec."