If a birth certificate is not available, typically an applicant can obtain first a statement from their home country’s government agency in charge of issuing birth certificates, certifying that a birth certificate is not available.
The applicant can then submit alternative documents to prove the facts of their birth — essentially, the date and place of birth, and names of their parents.
Such documents might include baptism records, school records, or census records showing their date of birth, place of birth, and parents’ names. Learn more about the specific requirements, how to obtain a certified copy, and birth certificate alternatives.