Birth Certificate Concern
I am a Pakistani national, who was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in March 1996. I was in the country and had my birth certificate on me, but in 2018 I moved out permanently, and I have moved a lot in my life, and in the process, my birth certificate got lost. Neither my siblings, nor my parents currently live in Saudi Arabia.
I ask my relative (who lives in Riyadh) to take my birth registration number, a power of attorney that I provided, and all other additional documents, and got to the Birth Certificate Office to obtain my number. They took my application and made him pay the fees, which he happily did, and asked him to come get my birth certificate in 10 days.
When he went back, they said that "my birth registration number is wrong". They asked him to either
1) Bring the correct birth registration number, or
2) A photocopy of my lost birth certificate.
Both of these don't make sence, since
1) The birth registration number was manually written on my passports when I was born, by the saudi jawazaat. How am I supposed to come up with a correct number on my own when I didnt even know at the time that this was wrong.
2) If I had a photocopy of my birth certificate, wouldn't I have given it in the first place, instead of giving all those other relevant documents.
They say there is NO OTHER WAY, and I am so stressed out, because I need my birth certificate urgently for my immigration purposes.
I am stuck all because of this.
PLEASE PLEASE let me know if anyone is able to help me retrieve my birth certificate, I am more than happy and willing to pay for your assistance.
@azs1996
"Lost in Translation: The Saudi Birth Certificate Chronicles"
Ah, the classic tale of the vanishing birth certificate—a story as old as bureaucracy itself. Let's embark on this thrilling journey through the labyrinth of Saudi paperwork, shall we?
The Plot Thickens
Our protagonist, a Pakistani national born in Riyadh in March 1996, embarks on a quest to retrieve a lost birth certificate. Armed with a birth registration number (scribbled by the ever-reliable Saudi Jawazaat), a power of attorney, and a determined relative in Riyadh, the stage is set.
Act 1: The Initial Foray
The intrepid relative approaches the Birth Certificate Office, documents in hand, and is met with nods of approval. Fees are paid, and a 10-day waiting period is imposed. So far, so good.
Act 2: The Plot Twist
Upon return, the office declares, "Your birth registration number is incorrect." The solutions offered?
Provide the correct birth registration number.
Present a photocopy of the lost birth certificate.
Cue the collective facepalm.
The Dilemma
Incorrect Number: As a newborn, our protagonist wasn't exactly in a position to verify the accuracy of the number inscribed on the passport.
Photocopy Conundrum: If a photocopy existed, this saga wouldn't be unfolding.
The Quest for Resolution
Fear not, for every labyrinth has its exit. Here are some potential paths:
Absher to the Rescue:
Report the Lost Certificate: Utilize the Absher platform to report the missing document.
Log in to Absher.
Navigate to "My Services" > "Civil Affairs" > "Report Missing Document."
Follow the prompts to report the loss.
View and Print Digital Certificate: Once reported, you might access a digital version.
Go to "My Services" > "Civil Affairs" > "Birth Certificate Services."
Select "View Birth Certificate" and print if available.
Note: Absher services may require a valid Iqama. If unavailable, proceed to the next steps.
Embassy Intervention:
Contact the Saudi Embassy: Reach out to the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in your current country of residence. They may provide guidance or facilitate the retrieval process.
Delegate the Mission:
Hire a Local Agent: Engage a professional service in Riyadh specializing in document retrieval. They possess the expertise to navigate the bureaucratic maze.
Alternative Documentation:
NADRA Birth Certificate: Explore obtaining a birth certificate through Pakistan's NADRA system. While it may not replace the Saudi certificate, it could serve as supplementary evidence.
The Moral of the Story
Bureaucracy, much like a desert mirage, can be perplexing and elusive. However, with persistence, resourcefulness, and a touch of humor, even the most convoluted processes can be unraveled.
To our fellow adventurers: If you've braved similar quests and emerged victorious, share your tales and wisdom. Together, we'll navigate the sands of paperwork and emerge with certificates in hand!
Now, to cheer you up:
I deliberately chose this humorous approach to lighten the mood. After all, life in Pakistan already has its fair share of tension—no need to add more stress by being too serious in answering. So, beta, do not despair! This too shall pass, and soon, you’ll be laughing at how trivial all this seemed. 😄
Find more topics on the Pakistan forum
