Often, applicants will find that they are unable to produce required supporting documents. The immigration regulations specify how applicants may deal with unavailable documents:

“8 CFR 103.2(b)(2)(ii) Demonstrating that a record is not available. Where a record does not exist, the applicant or petitioner must submit an original written statement on government letterhead establishing this from the relevant government or other authority. The statement must indicate the reason the record does not exist, and indicate whether similar records for the time and place are available. However, a certification from an appropriate foreign government that a document does not exist is not required where the Department of State's Foreign Affairs Manual indicates this type of document generally does not exist. An applicant or petitioner who has not been able to acquire the necessary document or statement from the relevant foreign authority may submit evidence that repeated good faith attempts were made to obtain the required document or statement. However, where the USCIS finds that such documents or statements are generally available, it may require that the applicant or petitioner submit the required document or statement.”

The following advice from the Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual with respect to a missing birth record is typical:

“In cases where birth certificates from the authorities are unavailable or contain insufficient information regarding the birth or the parents, a sworn affidavit executed by either the parents, if living, or other close relatives older than the applicant, may be submitted. It should set forth the relationship between the deponent and the applicant, how well the deponent knows the applicant, date and place of the applicant's birth, the names of both parents, and any other related facts. Such an affidavit, when a birth certificate is unavailable, should be accompanied by a document from a competent governmental authority confirming that the certificate does not exist, or no longer exists.”

The following, also from the FAM, is typical advice regarding an unregistered marriage:

“If the marriage has not been officially registered, then two sworn affidavits giving the names, dates and places of birth of the bride and groom, and the date and place of marriage, as well as the names of the parents of both parties are acceptable. The affidavits must be executed by one of the parents of each party, or if the parents are deceased, by the nearest relative of each party who was present at the wedding.”

Applicants must keep in mind that before they can offer secondary evidence, such as affidavits, they must first prove that the primary evidence does not exist or is otherwise unavailable. Once this is done, the applicant may then provide sworn affidavits from people who have personal knowledge of the facts.