How Can You Apply for Green Card without Birth Certificate?

One can easily get a green card using some authentic proofs of his identity, which can be a birth certificate, school certificate, address document or any other equivalent one. 

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The green card is officially called a permanent resident card. This card is required for a permanent residency in the USA. It formally makes non-residents a legitimate permanent resident of America. 

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You can get it by submitting a foreign birth proof.

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The first and foremost thing is to show an original birth proof if you have. Besides, you need to submit Form I-485 or DS-260. It is an application to get registered for permanent residence or change of status or adjust status.

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A non-resident faces the real challenge when he or she does not have that proof.

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This is what this article is about. You may apply for the non-availability of birth certificate for this green card.  Here is the brief on its important aspects:

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Submit Non-Availability of Birth Certificate (NABC) 

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The non-availability of birth certificate (NABC) is issued when one does not have an original birth proof. This proof is called a birth certificate. It is generally issued by a local authority where you were born.

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There are certain unfortunate incidents like fire, flood or theft that may be the reason of losing it. In that case, you have to lodge an FIR in the nearby police station.

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This would be treated as the case of unregistered birth because you don’t have the proof.

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In the nutshell, you have a way out. It is to prove its unavailability or non-existence to the local authority.  

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How to prove the unavailability of BC? 

rrVisit the nearby local civil authority or birth registration center (nearby your birth place). rPlace a request with the registrar to check for it. Provide the necessary details in this regard.rIf the authority confirms for having no records, apply for an NABC.rGet an affidavit from the magistrate, stating that your birth proof from the native country is unavailable or non-existed.rEnclose the FIR stating that you have lost it with a valid reason.rProvide an alternative evidence of your birth along with.rr

What could be an alternative evidence of your birth? 

rrProof of Identity like passport, PAN card, photo id, or any government job card, bank ATM card, pensioner photo card, freedom fighter photo card, disability ID card issued by the local authorityrProof of Address, such as bank statement or passbook, voter card, nationality card, driving licence, utility bill in your name, property tax receipt, credit card statement, insurance policy paper, rent agreement, gas connection bill, disability ID card, or marriage certificate, CENOMARrProof of birth, such as school certificate, birth certificate, letterhead of a gazette office of group A, mark sheet, health service scheme photo card, or pension payment order etc..rProof of relationship, such as passport, pension card, medical service or insurance docs, army service proof or marriage certificate/ single status certificate & baptism certificate rr

In addition, an affidavit of birth can be a possible alternative that you may enclose with the application for the “Adjustment of Status”.

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If this is the only thing you can do, ensure its two copies with Form I-485 would be submitted. 

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What should be there in your affidavit? 

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An acceptable affidavit must have these details related to the applicant:

rrFull name at birthrDate of birthrPlace of birthrFull name of both parentsrName of issuing government bodyrDate of issuancerSeal/ stamp of the issuing authority (of the birth proof)rr

You should ensure that your birth certificate also contains all of these details (if you provide the original birth proof). The affidavit should read this information.

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It is highly required to enclose these details while submitting with the Form I-485. The immigration officer may ask you to provide it at the time of verification or the interview. So, be ready with the proof at that time.

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Adjustment of Status or Green Card Requirements

rrThe applicant must be a permanent or non-removable from the United States.rIf you are an approved immigrant, your priority date must be valid or current.rSubmit the Form I-485 issued from the designated civil surgeon who conducted your medical examination. It should be a sealed envelope.rEnclose that envelope with a Form I-693.rThis service is paid. So, pay the requisite fee.rKeep the receipt to track your case or update online. The petition is generally approved within four months.rOnce approved, you can get your green card on your registered email id.  It’s an automatic process.rIn some cases, the applicant is asked to appear for a face-to-face interview. Marriage is an obvious reason for this.rIf you leave the United States after filing the application for the green card, you will be considered abandoned. File for an advance parole via the Form I-131 and an Employment Authorization Document via the Form I-765.r