Folks, there's always a wealth of very great advice available, here, so I am asking once more - 4 questions.
I was born in the US, but I have lived in Canada pretty much almost exclusively since 1980-ish (I realize that's fudgy-sounding - there's detail below, and elsewhere). I am currently a citizen of both countries, with the 2 passports. This MAY be relevant...
I am one of those who prepares in advance as much as possible - a hopeful residency; however, the research I'm doing doesn't seem - to me - to answer all of these questions (or, at least, I haven't found definitive answers, yet, myself):
Most information I'm finding seems to indicate that the so-called police 'certificate-of-good-conduct' (which is not actually such but is an actual criminal records check) is needed for a period of five years back. For me, that would involve simply asking from local police / RCMP. EASY.
That said, I noticed one post in these forums mentioning the trouble one person had from something listed back in the 1980s... I don't have that issue at all, myself, but it tends to indicate a possible greater-than-five-years need... or, perhaps, it only means that the record-check came back going that far into history, and something showed up for that particular individual... ? ? ?
And, of course, I hold a US birth certificate, which I think is requested for some procedures including residency / DNI processing. This I don't know...
It may be relevant to mention that I also have the luxury of holding a Canadian passport which, though not everybody knows this, actually permits the bearer to NOT list his / her birthplace. YES: This can cause problems, and Canadian citizens are advised not to do this but are permitted it if they choose to do so. I did. When electing this procedure, we are not only advised of a number of countries where entry may likely be refused (which doesn't appear to include Argentina) but we have to specifically indicate that we accept this responsibility before proceeding with this option. [For those wondering why I would even want to complicate my life in such a way: It has to do with being raised in the era of sudden-Havana-bound airplanes and watching TV news of those passengers having their passports checked on airplanes before being brought up to the front of the jet by the folks changing the plane's direction... if they were bearing US passports... Thus, my Canadian passport doesn't reveal anything US about me... While I realize that such specific situations no longer tend to occur, there still are other situations where showing only Canadian citizenship may sometimes be beneficial over showing other possibilities... if you know what I mean.] Hence, a question as to birthplace could arise - complicating where I need my records check(s) from?
So, to my questions (4):
1) Do I need to also get an FBI check in addition to my CANADA one simply because I will end up somehow needing to show where I was born? The five-year rule doesn't include the US, for me: The last time that I actually lived in the US was for less than 5 months in the late-1990s... and before that, for 6 months in 1992... before that, for 7 months in 1984, and before that, for 5 months in 1981 (as I fudged, above). I suppose some will say that I should be prepared for anything and for every eventuality, regardless (at greater cost and time to me!)... but I wonder if anybody actually knows with any more certainty? I suppose these details, here, may seem irrelevant... but if anybody knows the length of prior time needed for such a certificate, then I can figure out the rest; however, my birthplace may complicate things... that's the crux. I suppose the correct answer might possibly be 'just five years unless there's other information, such as other countries (US in my case)'... hence the detail I present here... but, gosh, maybe I have to consider the 4 months spent living in Mexico (1983) and the 10 months living in Vietnam (mid-1990s)? I suspect not... hence my question.
Also, 2) I see some references to 'long form' Birth Certificate in some places. I have a 'Certificate of Birth' from NY and I also have a 'Certification of Birth'. The 'Certification' shows only full name, date, place, full, correct actual certificate number and it does have the official raised seal of the Great State (or is it city) of NY. The 'Certificate' ALSO has all of the mother and father, plus doctor and time, weight details and is much more complete (and also bears the seal)... Would the 'Certification' do if it has the raised seal? I have reasons for preferring to use that one...
And, 3) Has anybody seen cause for concern with Canadians bearing passports without birthplace listed (as mentioned above)? I DO have the opportunity to change this as I will be renewing in April - so, if needed, I can change this. I'd prefer to keep things as they are...
Finally, 4) Because I see that a period of several months to receive it and finish the process is sometimes involved, I am currently planning to do this procedure from here, before leaving - it seems easier, here - but then, I wonder: Does arranging for these from here cause problems because it wasn't done after I'd left and the officials in Argentina want to see the remainder of my time, here, before my leaving as well? In other words: MUST I obtain the certificate FROM Argentina? Or, is it possible before going? (It sure seems a lot easier to do it from here.)
Many thanks, as always - and please forgive me if I have somehow managed to overlook these answers elsewhere, or if I seem stupid in some way, here. It's possible...
Paul
PS: I know that whether from Canada or the US, I need the apostille, as well. I have to add that time for that, too... but should I do it all before I go or wait and do it with help from here but once I'm down there? It's complicated!
I was born in the US, but I have lived in Canada pretty much almost exclusively since 1980-ish (I realize that's fudgy-sounding - there's detail below, and elsewhere). I am currently a citizen of both countries, with the 2 passports. This MAY be relevant...
I am one of those who prepares in advance as much as possible - a hopeful residency; however, the research I'm doing doesn't seem - to me - to answer all of these questions (or, at least, I haven't found definitive answers, yet, myself):
Most information I'm finding seems to indicate that the so-called police 'certificate-of-good-conduct' (which is not actually such but is an actual criminal records check) is needed for a period of five years back. For me, that would involve simply asking from local police / RCMP. EASY.
That said, I noticed one post in these forums mentioning the trouble one person had from something listed back in the 1980s... I don't have that issue at all, myself, but it tends to indicate a possible greater-than-five-years need... or, perhaps, it only means that the record-check came back going that far into history, and something showed up for that particular individual... ? ? ?
And, of course, I hold a US birth certificate, which I think is requested for some procedures including residency / DNI processing. This I don't know...
It may be relevant to mention that I also have the luxury of holding a Canadian passport which, though not everybody knows this, actually permits the bearer to NOT list his / her birthplace. YES: This can cause problems, and Canadian citizens are advised not to do this but are permitted it if they choose to do so. I did. When electing this procedure, we are not only advised of a number of countries where entry may likely be refused (which doesn't appear to include Argentina) but we have to specifically indicate that we accept this responsibility before proceeding with this option. [For those wondering why I would even want to complicate my life in such a way: It has to do with being raised in the era of sudden-Havana-bound airplanes and watching TV news of those passengers having their passports checked on airplanes before being brought up to the front of the jet by the folks changing the plane's direction... if they were bearing US passports... Thus, my Canadian passport doesn't reveal anything US about me... While I realize that such specific situations no longer tend to occur, there still are other situations where showing only Canadian citizenship may sometimes be beneficial over showing other possibilities... if you know what I mean.] Hence, a question as to birthplace could arise - complicating where I need my records check(s) from?
So, to my questions (4):
1) Do I need to also get an FBI check in addition to my CANADA one simply because I will end up somehow needing to show where I was born? The five-year rule doesn't include the US, for me: The last time that I actually lived in the US was for less than 5 months in the late-1990s... and before that, for 6 months in 1992... before that, for 7 months in 1984, and before that, for 5 months in 1981 (as I fudged, above). I suppose some will say that I should be prepared for anything and for every eventuality, regardless (at greater cost and time to me!)... but I wonder if anybody actually knows with any more certainty? I suppose these details, here, may seem irrelevant... but if anybody knows the length of prior time needed for such a certificate, then I can figure out the rest; however, my birthplace may complicate things... that's the crux. I suppose the correct answer might possibly be 'just five years unless there's other information, such as other countries (US in my case)'... hence the detail I present here... but, gosh, maybe I have to consider the 4 months spent living in Mexico (1983) and the 10 months living in Vietnam (mid-1990s)? I suspect not... hence my question.
Also, 2) I see some references to 'long form' Birth Certificate in some places. I have a 'Certificate of Birth' from NY and I also have a 'Certification of Birth'. The 'Certification' shows only full name, date, place, full, correct actual certificate number and it does have the official raised seal of the Great State (or is it city) of NY. The 'Certificate' ALSO has all of the mother and father, plus doctor and time, weight details and is much more complete (and also bears the seal)... Would the 'Certification' do if it has the raised seal? I have reasons for preferring to use that one...
And, 3) Has anybody seen cause for concern with Canadians bearing passports without birthplace listed (as mentioned above)? I DO have the opportunity to change this as I will be renewing in April - so, if needed, I can change this. I'd prefer to keep things as they are...
Finally, 4) Because I see that a period of several months to receive it and finish the process is sometimes involved, I am currently planning to do this procedure from here, before leaving - it seems easier, here - but then, I wonder: Does arranging for these from here cause problems because it wasn't done after I'd left and the officials in Argentina want to see the remainder of my time, here, before my leaving as well? In other words: MUST I obtain the certificate FROM Argentina? Or, is it possible before going? (It sure seems a lot easier to do it from here.)
Many thanks, as always - and please forgive me if I have somehow managed to overlook these answers elsewhere, or if I seem stupid in some way, here. It's possible...
Paul
PS: I know that whether from Canada or the US, I need the apostille, as well. I have to add that time for that, too... but should I do it all before I go or wait and do it with help from here but once I'm down there? It's complicated!
