Alternate Documentation

ALTERNATE DOCUMENTATION WHEN A BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS NOT AVAILABLE OR WHEN THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE DOES NOT LIST THE NAME OF THE CHILD OR BOTH NAMES OF THE PARENTS

ALTERNATE PROOF OF BIRTH
Every applicant for Adjustment of Status must submit documentation of birth. A birth certificate is always the preferred method of proof. If a birth certificate is available but it does not list the name of the child and the name of both parents please submit two or three affidavits from family members or friends who can verify the birth. Generally, two affidavits are enough to meet INS requests, but three is preferable.

SAMPLE AFFIDAVIT OF BIRTH

You should also include any other records that you have that document the birth. Such as,

a. Church records such as baptismal certificates, or
b. School records, or
c. Other legal records such as records of judicial proceedings.

If your country of birth does not ordinarily provide birth certificates, or if your country did not provide birth certificates at the time of your birth, you should also include a non-availability certificate.

SAMPLE NON-AVAILABILITY CERTIFICATE