Proof of Citizenship for Minor..bit of a problem..

[Going through]

I'm getting ready to send in an application for proof of citizenship of my minor child.
Being it's the first time applying, the application requires certified true copies of all documents (not just birth certificates).
Being that I'm in New York...well...it's kind of tough since notaries here cannot certify documents.

A few questions:

1) I was thinking of visiting the Canadian Consulate here in NY, do they certify any documents or just Canadian-originated ones? My ID is Canadian, however my child's has only an American passport and an American birth certificate (obviously).

2) I was born in 1974...I guess the little plastic card my generation carried around as a "birth certificate" isn't good enough and they require the long form, huh? I saw where to order it online but wanted to ask just in case.

3) I know in NY a notary public can certify my signature on the document swearing it's a true and exact copy...has anyone from NY done this method and had success when submitting the application? I'd love to use a notary if I can since the ones in my area charge $2.00 per page as opposed to the Consulate's fee of $20 per page (if I remember correctly).

4) Since some of the documents are my daughter's (passport/birth certificate) does she need to be there when the certification is done or is it good enough for just myself to be present since she is a minor?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance for any help you can give!

 

[alphazip]

1) I have read reports in this forum stating that the Canadian Consulate was willing to certify all of an applicant's documents, Canadian and U.S.
2) I have not seen anything stating whether wallet-size birth certificates are or are not acceptable. A long-form certificate is important in your child's case, because it needs to show the names of her parents. In your case, you only need to show that you were born in Canada.
3) I don't know.
4) If you mean having them certified at a consulate, no, she would not have to be present. If you mean the method using a notary, it would need to be you, not the minor child, swearing that the documents are true copies of the originals.
5) Copies of identity documents (e.g. passport, Social Security card, driver's license) don't need to be certified.
6) For immigration purposes, IRCC accepts documents that have been certified by persons in certain professions, including dentist, medical doctor, lawyer, funeral director, clergy person, pharmacist, police officer, accountant, social worker, veterinarian. This may or may not hold true for applications for proof of citizenship.

You could always try calling the Call Centre to see what they have to say: 613-944-4000 and answer as follows: 1 (for English), 1 (for Citizenship & Immigration), and then 1 again.

 

[Going through]

Thanks so much for your response! And for the phone number, was just getting ready to google that

According to the website, for proof of citizenship they will only accept documents certified by a notary if applying from the United States, unfortunately, even though IRCC also acknowledges on their website that different States may not do this. I'm going to try to get around that by doing the whole "certifying my signature stating it's a true copy" thing that NY notaries seem to like to do here...if IRCC is aware that not every US notary will certify a copy, maybe they are used to seeing that type of notarization as well and allowing it..

 

[Going through]

You could always try calling the Call Centre to see what they have to say: 613-944-4000 and answer as follows: 1 (for English), 1 (for Citizenship & Immigration), and then 1 again.

Well, tried calling the above number and it's for use from within Canada only.
Went on the IRCC website and it appears they only receive call-ins with questions from INSIDE Canada only...seriously??? I can't find a phone number for their help line from outside the country. I guess I'll try the consulate here in NY but they normally just direct callers to contact IRCC with any questions.

 

[alphazip]

Although 888-242-2100 is a Canada-only number, calling 613-944-4000 is a way of getting around that. I have an American line and I just called the number and it worked for me. The recording answers as "Welcome to Global Affairs Canada." When you call, you get nothing?

 

[nyguy2]

I'm getting ready to send in an application for proof of citizenship of my minor child.
Being it's the first time applying, the application requires certified true copies of all documents (not just birth certificates).
Being that I'm in New York...well...it's kind of tough since notaries here cannot certify documents.

A few questions:

1) I was thinking of visiting the Canadian Consulate here in NY, do they certify any documents or just Canadian-originated ones? My ID is Canadian, however my child's has only an American passport and an American birth certificate (obviously).

2) I was born in 1974...I guess the little plastic card my generation carried around as a "birth certificate" isn't good enough and they require the long form, huh? I saw where to order it online but wanted to ask just in case.

3) I know in NY a notary public can certify my signature on the document swearing it's a true and exact copy...has anyone from NY done this method and had success when submitting the application? I'd love to use a notary if I can since the ones in my area charge $2.00 per page as opposed to the Consulate's fee of $20 per page (if I remember correctly).

4) Since some of the documents are my daughter's (passport/birth certificate) does she need to be there when the certification is done or is it good enough for just myself to be present since she is a minor?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance for any help you can give!

I just gave up and paid to have the documents certified during a trip to Toronto.

1) The notaries I spoke to in Ontario were willing to certify anything so long as it was an "original document", including my birth certificate issued in the town of my birth in New York State.

2) Your birth certificate doesn't count anymore, father (born in B.C.) had the same issue when going for a new passport after he let his expire. I ordered him new birth certificates from BC vital statistics which was super easy.

3) I did not try the "workaround" method of having an affidavit since I travel to canada regularly and did not want to risk rejection.

4) I had documents certified in Canada for my brothers who were not present. I don't think that will be an issue, but I can't say for sure.

With the processing time and Canada Post/USPS being bad with using mail, I would try to not send originals. I would be hesitant to try the certification by affidavit route per #3.

So far as I see it, you have a few options:

1) Make a visit to Canada out of it somewhere and get docs notarized as part of it. One of the pros is that you can then mail the application within Canada which will be quicker. If you're close to the adirondacks Montreal may be a 4 hour drive or less.

2) Try to work with the embassy.

3) Get the documents certified in another state that allows certified true copies. The fact that a notary in, say, Pennsylvania or Massachusetts certifies a document issued by New York/locale within New York isn't an issue. (I've had an affidavit for a civil case certified out of the state of the case and it was no issue). Canada shouldn't care, so long as it's done by a notary public.

States bordering (or near) NYS that can certify true copies: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont.

If you travel within the US, that's an option too.

If you haven't had the photos taken you might want to make a trip out of it per #1. They're extremely finicky on the photo requirements and I had a very tough time getting a photo to spec in the US. If I was allowed to print it myself that would be fine but the government demands it be taken by a professional photographer/studio.

 

[Going through]

I was able to get through after I blocked my US number first

According to them, after putting me on hold for a long time, they don't know if the wallet-sized birth certificate would be allowed or not, but she said I could always try it. She did say "as long as you weren't born in Quebec, were you??" I wasn't, but not sure why that mattered. I did find an extracted copy of my short-form birth certificate but really don't want to send that since the document is almost 50 years old, and of course IRCC does not return any original documents sent.

She also confirmed what I thought above---that all of my documents submitted have to be certified true copies, not just the child's birth certificate (because this is the first time applying for a proof of citizenship certificate)----so my ID, my Canadian passport, etc. all have to be certified by a notary. If I ever apply for a replacement, then I can use just "regular copies".

 

[Going through]

2) Your birth certificate doesn't count anymore, father (born in B.C.) had the same issue when going for a new passport after he let his expire. I ordered him new birth certificates from BC vital statistics which was super easy.

Maybe it depends on the province? I've never had an issue using the wallet-size card when renewing my Canadian passport. I might end up ordering a long-form just to play it safe, just incase they do end up sending me a letter later on.

 

[Going through]

If you haven't had the photos taken you might want to make a trip out of it per #1. They're extremely finicky on the photo requirements and I had a very tough time getting a photo to spec in the US.

So far that's been the easiest part for me! lol
There is a photo studio here in NY owned by a Canadian citizen---so she was very aware of the requirements needed for CAN passports and CAN citizenship photos because she deals with Canadians coming to her all the time. I was lucky to come across her...

 

[alphazip]

I was able to get through after I blocked my US number first

According to them, after putting me on hold for a long time, they don't know if the wallet-sized birth certificate would be allowed or not, but she said I could always try it. She did say "as long as you weren't born in Quebec, were you??" I wasn't, but not sure why that mattered. I did find an extracted copy of my short-form birth certificate but really don't want to send that since the document is almost 50 years old, and of course IRCC does not return any original documents sent.

She also confirmed what I thought above---that all of my documents submitted have to be certified true copies, not just the child's birth certificate (because this is the first time applying for a proof of citizenship certificate)----so my ID, my Canadian passport, etc. all have to be certified by a notary. If I ever apply for a replacement, then I can use just "regular copies".

If you look at the document checklist (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/citizen/CIT0014E-2.pdf), you will notice that for "Identity Documents," all that is required is a copy (as opposed to a certified copy or an original). Of course, sending a certified copy won't hurt.

If you have a wallet-size birth certificate and a short-form birth certificate, have both certified and send both copies. Again, it won't hurt.

 

[Going through]

If you look at the document checklist (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/kits/citizen/CIT0014E-2.pdf), you will notice that for "Identity Documents," all that is required is a copy (as opposed to a certified copy or an original). Of course, sending a certified copy won't hurt.

Yes, but at the very top of the checklist on the first page in bold letters is the wording "if you are applying for your first citizenship certificate, provide clear and legible certified copies of your documents."

This was also confirmed by the IRCC rep I spoke with on the form when I questioned that, too.

 

[alphazip]

Yes, but at the very top of the checklist on the first page in bold letters is the wording "if you are applying for your first citizenship certificate, provide clear and legible certified copies of your documents."

This was also confirmed by the IRCC rep I spoke with on the form when I questioned that, too.

By "documents," they're talking about birth certificates, etc. I applied for proof of citizenship (my first), sent regular, non-certified copies of my ID, and received my Certificate of Citizenship. However, it's not a big deal, and certified copies will work just fine.

 

[Going through]

Ah ok, gotcha..

 

[alphazip]

She did say "as long as you weren't born in Quebec, were you??" I wasn't, but not sure why that mattered.

It matters, because in Quebec what passed for birth certificates for years were baptismal certificates issued by the Catholic Church. These were easily forged, so are no longer accepted for passports, citizenship, etc. Any person born in Quebec who has one of these old certificates now needs to apply to the Quebec government for an actual birth certificate.

 

[nyguy2]

So far that's been the easiest part for me! lol
There is a photo studio here in NY owned by a Canadian citizen---so she was very aware of the requirements needed for CAN passports and CAN citizenship photos because she deals with Canadians coming to her all the time. I was lucky to come across her...

If you're in NYC proper than it's probably easier to try to go to the embassy for certified true copies or travel to Canada. As far as certification, if you meet scenario #3 on CIT 0014E (document checklist) you should only need your birth/citizenship certificate certified and your child's birth certificate listing both parents certified. For the two pieces of identification for the applicant with one bearing a photo, those don't need to be certified copies.