CoachMB

So i am panicking a little right now. We have our GC interview on Wednesday, and just realized in our possession we only have a photocopy of my wife's Birth Cert.

The original is kept with her family's in a safety deposit box somewhere that only her father has access to. So this might be difficult for him to get to tomorrow.

Is this a huge deal to have the original?

Urgent answer needed as obviously we'll need to move heaven and earth to get hold of it tomorrow if that is the case.

Thanks.

tom169

I think worst case scenario would be you are RFEd for the original (well, a certified copy).

Pulaski

The worst case scenario is that your application is put on hold until you provide the original. The delay might be inconvenient, but it's not really a big deal for most people.

CoachMB

Thanks for the replies.. panic averted. Turns out it's not going to be too tricky to get hold of the original tomorrow after all.

ian-mstm

For future reference, your wife is now an adult - and all of her personal documentation, including her original birth certificate, should be kept by her and not anyone else.

Ian

lizzyq

This is why I like the UK system where it is easy to have multiple certified copies. I have put together document packs for each of our sons with a certified copy of relevant birth and marriage certificates for them for potential future use. Also I have retained a certified copy of each of their birth certificates, just in case.

Noorah101

It's very easy to get multiple certified copies in the USA, too.

Rene

tom169

The process in the USA is the same. You contact the register of deeds.

petitefrancaise

That's a very, very good idea.