Form i-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

travel.state.gov/content/ 

visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country.html

, to see if birth certificates are known to be unavailable or nonexistent 

in that country.

If this resource shows that birth certificates from your country of birth are generally unavailable or nonexistent, you 

do not need to do anything to prove that your birth certificate is unavailable or nonexistent.

If this resource does not show that birth certificates from your country of birth are generally unavailable or 

nonexistent, you must submit an original document from the relevant governmental authority explaining why your 

birth record does not exist and indicate whether similar records for the time and place are available.

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Form I-485 Instructions   03/29/21    

Page 10 of 43

When your birth certificate is not available or does not exist, you must submit other acceptable evidence relating to 

the facts of your birth, such as church or school records, hospital or medical records, personal affidavits, or similar 

evidence.