Birth certificates for Ancestry Visa

[luongo]

Do you need the original copy or will copies of the certificates for the relevant parties be enough? The official literature seems to learn towards copies but before we book appointments at the consulate.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[agnelson]

I've always needed 'originals' of everything. Remember, for birth certs, you get a certified 'copy' of the actual birth registry from the registrar (typically embossed/sealed). That is what you send in. Not a photocopy of that.

[luongo]

We currently have copies, which obviously is not going to be enough - however individuals are apprehensive about sending the original documents in the mail....does anyone know if notorized copies would hold any more weight?

Thanks

[agnelson]

They want actual ones from the registrar. Besides, the notary will not be able to notarize a copy of the copies you have now, will he.

He would at least need to see the originals.

This is how it is done. For passports and for visas.

[aimzs]

They need origional copies but if you can get someone to notorize it then you are good.

Its easy to order them online from wherever you want to need to get them from.

[kbw]

I am a Canadian and my grandmother was born in Scotland in the early 1900s. My wife and I are looking to move to England under the ancestry visa route but I have some questions as I'm a rookie at this:

1) where do I obtain a my grandmother's birth certif? she died some 30 years ago and my family does not have her original birth certificate. Is ordering a certificate from some sort of registry sufficient to prove it is legit?

2) I understand that I have to provide proof of full lineage...so that includes my parent's birth certif, marriage certif and my birth certif...is that correct?

3) In terms of adequately supporting ourselves once we are over there, are they looking for a certain bank account balance to prove it?

4) How long does the application/approval process take?

Any advice out there would be most appreciated.

[agnelson]

1. Each of the home countries has a registry. Getting it from the registry IS guarantees it's legit.

2. Yes, not only lineage, but legitimacy.