[beachykeen]

I thought that as long as the bc had the state seal on it, it could go on to the consulate to be authenticated.

This is not necessarily correct. They have to be issued by the STATE - NOT the County that you lived in, which is what I did.

I thought if I ordered two originals from the County Health Department, I'd be good to go. Turns out I am not!

So, long story short, ALWAYS order copies of your birth certificates from the state, not the county.

This puts me another two to three weeks behind on getting our dossier completed. GRRRR!!!!

[Michelle Smiles]

Sorry you found that out that hard way!

[chester5]

Okay, I'm confused. We had to order our birth certificates from the county in which we were born. (From the county courthouse). Same thing with the marriage certificate. They are state of WI certificates, I think. Or am I really confused?

Thanks,
Kris

Originally Posted by beachykeen

I thought that as long as the bc had the state seal on it, it could go on to the consulate to be authenticated.

This is not necessarily correct. They have to be issued by the STATE - NOT the County that you lived in, which is what I did.

I thought if I ordered two originals from the County Health Department, I'd be good to go. Turns out I am not!

So, long story short, ALWAYS order copies of your birth certificates from the state, not the county.

This puts me another two to three weeks behind on getting our dossier completed. GRRRR!!!!

[Mariais5]

Marcy ~ Who told you those wouldn't work? Do they have a state seal on them? Unless something has changed since the end of last year, I sent in BC's that I ordered from the county and had no problems...

[beachykeen]

They were returned by the Chicago Consulate. The reason that was on the sheet was "No name and/or spelling name or no title of the official signing the document".

I faxed it over to my agency and we decided that we would just get it state certified and send it back. When I called the State, they said they do not certify county issued birth certificates, only state issues ones. The county issued ones DO have a state seal on them but obviously that didn't work for the consulate.

So, I had to order state issued birth certificates.

[chester5]

That sounds crazy to me. Did you talk to someone at the consulate? UGH, I'm sorry you had to go through this. (And, I hope I don't have to!)

Kris

[adoptnky]

We had our Birth Certificates and Marriage License issued by the county. (Ohio) We then sent them to the State to be certified before going to the Consulate.

I would guess it depends on what state you are in.

Kim

[beachykeen]

Yes, I think it must depend on the state that you live in. My county issued bc was signed by the county health officer and I think that a state person has to sign it for it to be accepted by the consulate. My husband's bc says "State of North Carolina" on it and my agency said she thought that would be fine. Mine just said "Madison Couny Health Department".