Non-lineage documents must be LONG FORM certified?

[jtres]

Well I found ONE OTHER POSSIBLE solution that I ruled out before going through my mothers side. The fact of the matter is do I have to have LONG FORM copies of the non lineage people? For example I'm going through my mother's side. Must I have a LONG certified form of my father's birth certificate or a certified copy not in long form would suffice for non-lineage people? It's getting awfully expensive.

[johnnyonthespot]

The problem is, no one really knows why *some* consulates want non-direct line certificates at all. They are not required in order to meet the letter of the citizenship jure sanguinis law; it has been said that some consulates encourage you to get these documents because if there is a problem with your chosen lineage, the consular official may be able to help the you find another route by reviewing the remaining non-direct line documents.

The shameful part of it is, although many consulates insist you obtain non-direct line documents, greatly adding to your total costs, when you actually submit your application they don't even bother to look at them let alone force you to hand them over.

My honest opinion: if your direct-line case is solid and bullet-proof, I don't know that I would bother with non-direct line documents. I certainly would not fret over one or two which cannot be located for one reason or another.

When I submitted (successfully) in NYC in mid-2008, I did not have my grandmother's Italian birth certificate (comune could not find it; blamed the loss of "some" records during WWII). Although I did have other non-direct line docs, the only docs actually submitted were direct line: my own, my father's, and my grandfather's.

Which consulate are you applying at?

[mler]

I had the same experience in NY, but it was in 2006-2008. I actually had no non-Italian line documents. I wasn't asked for them.

[DeFilippis78]

Im wondering the same thing.So should I go ahead and get all non direct just in case or wait for my appointment and see if they ask for it? When I made my appointment with Philly they emailed me what they need and it did include certificates of non direct relatives. But I hate to spend the time and money for nothing. Any thoughts?

Alicia

[mler]

If they specifically ask for them, it seems prudent to get them. I honestly don't think they should be required, but unfortunately, no one at the consulate is listening to me.

[DeFilippis78]

I guess Im just going to have to get them even though they might toss them aside. It seems the relatives of the NON direct line will be the most difficult to get. Figures. Thats why I was hoping I can get away with it.

Alicia

[mler]

Get what you can, and don't worry about what you can't find. If they make an issue of it, simply remind them that your citizenship line is well documented and that you have made a good faith attempt to get supplementary documents that have no bearing on your qualifications.

[DeFilippis78]

Its my understanding that after that initial appointment you usually are required to go to others, right? That way if they do decide I HAVE to get it, it buys me more time. Or is there no additional appointments and any communication is through phone, email or fax?

Alicia

[johnnyonthespot]

Its my understanding that after that initial appointment you usually are required to go to others, right? That way if they do decide I HAVE to get it, it buys me more time. Or is there no additional appointments and any communication is through phone, email or fax?

Alicia

This really depends on the consulate. I think most people going to NYC find they have to make two or more trips, for example; as [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseanne_Roseannadanna]Roseanne Rosennadanna[url] used to say, "It's always something..."

I went to NYC twice for my application and my final submission (after correcting the additional items noted during the second visit) was by registered mail. I then had to return a few months later for my passport application; unlike some other consulates, NYC requires the first passport application be made in person.

[DeFilippis78]

Well I have to go through Philly. So Im assuming each one is different in more ways than one. I guess Ill just have to wait and see to find out their protocol.

Alicia

[mler]

Theoretically, you should only have to go once. Often, however, there are reasons to return--incomplete document sets, name changes, etc. If your document set is substantially complete, you should go in with them. With luck, you may need nothing else.