Why should some people choose not to display the birth place on the passport?

[snowflake2012]

I'm trying to apply for a Canadian passport.

On this webpage, it is about "Omission of place of birth — Passports and travel documents"
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/omit-place-birth.html

I don;t understand it. Why would people do that? Thanks a lot!

 

[spyfy]

I'm trying to apply for a Canadian passport.

On this webpage, it is about "Omission of place of birth — Passports and travel documents"
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/omit-place-birth.html

I don;t understand it. Why would people do that? Thanks a lot!

One possible reason:
The status of some regions on earth is disputed. Say, you were born in Sevastopol. Since Canada doesn't recognize Russia's claim to the Crimean Peninsula, your place of birth would be stated as Sevastopol, Ukraine. Depending on the passpor holder's stance on that situation, they would not like to be told by a Canadian passport that Sevastopol is a Ukrainian city.

(I'm not taking a stance in the Crimea conflict here, just giving a current example)

Another possible reason:
Particular countries have bad standing in particular other countries. Not having your country listed might save you from being seen as a "person from country X" where you would like to be treated as a "person from Canada".

 

[scylla]

Another possible reason:
Particular countries have bad standing in particular other countries. Not having your country listed might save you from being seen as a "person from country X" where you would like to be treated as a "person from Canada".

I know two people who did this and it created far more problems entering other countries than it solved. Both individuals I know ended up getting new passports within a year listing their country of origin.

 

[Cameron2020]

I know two people who did this and it created far more problems entering other countries than it solved. Both individuals I know ended up getting new passports within a year listing their country of origin.

Could you elaborate please. What problem it may cause?

 

[scylla]

Could you elaborate please. What problem it may cause?

They both consistently ended up in secondary inspection when entering the US since they had a blank for place of birth. The US would then question them about their background to find out their country of birth and other details (reasons for entering the US, etc.) which created significant delays at border crossing. I think leaving that field blank can make it look like you're trying to hide something.

 

[oryx_np]

They both consistently ended up in secondary inspection when entering the US since they had a blank for place of birth. The US would then question them about their background to find out their country of birth and other details (reasons for entering the US, etc.) which created significant delays at border crossing. I think leaving that field blank can make it look like you're trying to hide something.

Yes that makes sense, It would be better if the entire field place of birth would have been omitted. leaving the blank placeholder always leaves space for further inspection.

 

[scylla]

Yes that makes sense, It would be better if the entire field place of birth would have been omitted. leaving the blank placeholder always leaves space for further inspection.

Agreed. As things stand now, all it does is draw attention to the fact that someone has no birth location listed and raises concerns/questions.

We've had a number of people on this forum who have had negative experience as well. I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[Cameron2020]

They both consistently ended up in secondary inspection when entering the US since they had a blank for place of birth. The US would then question them about their background to find out their country of birth and other details (reasons for entering the US, etc.) which created significant delays at border crossing. I think leaving that field blank can make it look like you're trying to hide something.

Yes, considering the US government racist attitude, that makes sense.

 

[scylla]

Yes, considering the US government racist attitude, that makes sense.

Actually - my two friends didn't just have problems with the US. They had problems in other countries as well. No one seems to like the blank and it seems to cause problems everywhere at borders. However the US one was the biggest pain since they both traveled there frequently. Anyway - just their experiences. As I said, both of them paid to get brand new passports within a year.

 

[Cameron2020]

Actually - my two friends didn't just have problems with the US. They had problems in other countries as well. No one seems to like the blank and it seems to cause problems everywhere at borders. However the US one was the biggest pain since they both traveled there frequently. Anyway - just their experiences. As I said, both of them paid to get brand new passports within a year.

Either US or any other countries, it is wrong to make special provisions for the people who were born in some specific countries. This is some kind of ethnic discrimination.

 

[spyfy]

I know two people who did this and it created far more problems entering other countries than it solved. Both individuals I know ended up getting new passports within a year listing their country of origin.

Oh of course. I was not supporting doing that. I was just listing what goes through people's minds when they decide not to. That it's not helpful at all is clear.