Question on Identity and Civil Status Documents - US citizen, with a twist

[tmm99]

Can someone tell me what I need to provide for "Identity and Civil Status Documents"? I am a naturalized US citizen, so the documents I may be able to send for this are my passport and Certificate of Naturalization. (US doesn't issue National Identify Cards.) I was born in Japan and I do have a birth certificate, but my name shows my maiden name and there is nothing that would prove to CIC that this birth certificate belongs to me.

Can I send a copy of Certificate of Naturalization? Is this a legitimate form for "Identity and Civil Status Documents"? If not, what do I need to send?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

tmm

 

[DuberBlue]

You will need that birth certificate, as well as a marriage certificate. If either of these are written in Japanese only, you may also need to provide notarized translations.

 

[keesio]

Can someone tell me what I need to provide for "Identity and Civil Status Documents"? I am a naturalized US citizen, so the documents I may be able to send for this are my passport and Certificate of Naturalization. (US doesn't issue National Identify Cards.) I was born in Japan and I do have a birth certificate, but my name shows my maiden name and there is nothing that would prove to CIC that this birth certificate belongs to me.

Can I send a copy of Certificate of Naturalization? Is this a legitimate form for "Identity and Civil Status Documents"? If not, what do I need to send?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

tmm

My wife is also a naturalized US citizen (born in South Korea). We provided copies of our marriage certificate, her family census register (which is the equivalent of a birth certificate at the time in Korea) and her certificate of US citizenship which she got when she was naturalized.

 

[tmm99]

Thank you very much for your responses.

I did say I do have a birth certificate from Japan, but it's actually a family register which is the closest thing to a birth certificate if you were born in Japanese under a Japanese family (just like in South Korea, it sounds like). I also have my ex-husband listed in the family register whom I divorced over 20 years ago, but I do have a divorce degree for that (in English) so I can add that so they know I was free to marry my current Canadian husband. I will provide copies of my marriage certificate as well as certificate of US citizenship/naturalization along with the family register.

For a translated copy of the family register.... So I translate it into English myself, and then get it notarized? It can be notarized by someone who cannot read Japanese? Is that OK?

 

[keesio]

yes it sounds like the family register you have is similar to the one my wife had from South Korea. They are basically household registries. I had my wife's registry translated by a certified Korean translator. If you wish to get a notarized translation, it is ok if the notary cannot read Japanese. What is being notarized is not the translation itself but the sworn affidavit by the translator. That affidavit should be in English/French and signed and oath sworn in front of the notary.

Note that CIC does not accept translations by family members so I would imagine you can not do your own translation either.

And yes, you must also include a copy of your divorce certificate.

From CIC webpage: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/3999Etoc.asp

Translation of documents

Any document that is not in English or French must be accompanied by:

the English or French translation; and
an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and
a certified copy of the original document.

Note: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the translator is living, that the contents of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified members in good standing of one of the provincial or territorial organizations of translators and interpreters of Canada do not need to supply an affidavit.

Important information. Translations by family members are not acceptable.

 

[tmm99]

Got it. Thank you very much. I will find a translation service company that can certify the translated material as well as can notarize.