Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Legalization of Documents

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Mexico
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Elise9



Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 32
Location: Celaya, GTO
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:15 pm    Post subject: Legalization of Documents Reply with quote
Does anyone know if it's necessary to have a birth certificate legalized? I'm Canadian coming to Mexico with no prior job arrangements and am about to get my degree and marriage certificate legalized in case I need them but don't know if I need to do this for my birth certificate.
I would just do it along with the other papers just to be safe but I was actually born in England, so would have to send it back there first and don't want to do that if it's not necessary.

Thanks for any info you can give me.
I've had a look at previous posts but don't remember anything about birth certificates.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Legalization of Documents Reply with quote
Elise9 wrote:
Does anyone know if it's necessary to have a birth certificate legalized?
When I created my FM3, I had to supply a full-size paper copy. It did not have to be legalized, but I was warned that only the full-size copy would do.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
lozwich



Joined: 25 May 2003
Posts: 1536
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
LS, I think you and I would have gone to the same office (Oaxaca) and no-one ever asked me for my birth certificate. In fact, I don't even know where my birth certificate is! Shocked
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ls650



Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 3484
Location: British Columbia
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
lozwich wrote:
LS, I think you and I would have gone to the same office (Oaxaca) and no-one ever asked me for my birth certificate.

I use the office in Huatulco. I've heard different stories as to what teachers from other schools have been asked to supply in the way of paperwork, both here and with other immigration offices. It seems to vary with the staff at the desk, the phase of the moon, etc. The smart thing would be to bring it in case they ask for it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Elise9



Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 32
Location: Celaya, GTO
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 5:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
thanks for the repsonses.
Bringing it is definately not a problem, I was just wondering if I needed to go to the trouble of getting it legalized. I will be bringing the "full page" one with me!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
hlamb



Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Posts: 431
Location: Canada
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I tried to get the small copy of my certificate legalized and was told by oficials in ottawa that they only legalize the full size copies. I was already in Mexico (a friend in Ottawa helped me) so couldn't get a copy from the BC government. I've taken my small size certificate to immigration twice now in different states and it hasn't been a problem. They told me I needed it but didn't look at it, just noted that I had showed it. I think if you have it with you, it won't be a problem, in most immigration offices.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
danielita



Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 281
Location: SLP
PostPosted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Elise9 wrote:
thanks for the repsonses.
Bringing it is definately not a problem, I was just wondering if I needed to go to the trouble of getting it legalized. I will be bringing the "full page" one with me!


Elise,I saw from your earlier post that you are married. Did change your last name? You will need to bring a legalized birth certificate if you changed your name when you got married and your degrees are in your maiden name. This way they can prove that the degrees are yours.

HLamb, it's strange the Ottawa wouldn't legalize the short for birth certificate. I sent a notarized copy of the original short form for legalization and there were no problems.

D
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Elise9



Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 32
Location: Celaya, GTO
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
No, I have not changed my last name - in Quebec women are not allowed to! Anyway it seems it makes things easier in the regard of proving all my documents really are mine.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
danielita



Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 281
Location: SLP
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Elise,

Trust me, it will make things easier...not to mention the confusion you cause when both you and your husband have the same last name! My encounters have usually gone like this:
First they think we are brother and sister, then I explain to them that it is a tradition to take the husband's name (Of course this is changing, but it is difficult to explain the options etc), then they look at me at go "Pobrecita!!" like I am an oppressed woman and I live with this macho man and come from a macho man culture....
Depending on how tired I am and what I need, sometimes I just let them think he's my brother....

D
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Elise9



Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 32
Location: Celaya, GTO
PostPosted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the advise - I have come to that realization already. And as my husband is actually Mexican, it made more sense for him too! Though he is adament that our (future) children take my last name as well as his.