We did. My wife is chinese and China didn't start issuing birth certificates (national) until 1996 but our original application was returned because of lack of birth certificate even though their own documents and country file states that there are no official certificates before 1996. we resubmitted the same package with a letter stating why we didn't include a birth certificate. IMO I think it was originally rejected because the agent was trying to clear their desk as quickly as possible and that seemed like an easy excuse.Has anyone here applied without a birth certificate ?
Bear in mind that beginning in 2017 the government promised to process applications within 12 months. From what I understand, they didn't hire additional case workers, and they are the same people that used to take 18-24 months to do the same job that they now have to do in 12 months. I don't believe that they are working any faster or more efficiently but are clearing files off their desk by rejecting as many applications as they can. My advise is to make your application as complete as possible and if there are any gaps, include a letter explaining why.