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How can I prove I was in the US before age 5?
You don't necessarily need a birth certificate made before age 5 to prove your age - other documents like a religious record of birth or baptism can also work.
If you've already proven your age when applying for Social Security benefits, you typically don't need to prove it again when applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
For US citizenship applications, the requirements for proving physical presence in the US before age 5 can vary depending on when the applicant was born.
Affidavits and other documentation may be required to demonstrate an applicant's physical presence in the US before age 5, even if they don't have an official birth record.
The US Social Security Administration has a specific hierarchy of acceptable documents to prove age, with birth certificates made before age 5 being the most preferred.
Documents with "P" or "B" codes on the applicant's Social Security number record indicate their age was previously verified using a birth record made before age 5.
If you were involved in an illegal surrogacy arrangement as an infant, tracking down your birth records may be extremely challenging but is crucial for proving your US presence before age 5.
In some cases, you may need to provide documentation spanning multiple years to demonstrate your continuous physical presence in the US before age 5, such as school records, medical records, or travel documents.
The type and quality of evidence required can differ depending on whether you're applying for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or US citizenship.
Photocopies or digital images of original documents are generally not accepted as proof of age - you'll likely need to provide the actual physical records.
If you were born to a US citizen parent overseas, special rules apply for documenting your claim to US citizenship and physical presence in the country before age 5.
Detailed guidelines exist within the Social Security Administration and immigration authorities about the specific types of evidence that can be used to verify age and US presence before age 5.
In cases where official records are unavailable, personal affidavits from family members or other witnesses may be considered, but these carry less weight than official documentation.
The process of proving you were in the US before age 5 can be complex and time-consuming, often requiring extensive research and compilation of supporting documents.
Certain types of records, like hospital birth certificates, may be more difficult to obtain than others, depending on how long ago the event occurred and the record-keeping practices of the time.
The Social Security Administration has specific rules about which documents can be used as primary evidence versus secondary evidence to establish age and US presence before age 5.
In some cases, a combination of different types of documents may be required to fully demonstrate your presence in the US prior to your 5th birthday.
The requirements for proving US presence before age 5 can be more stringent for individuals seeking citizenship compared to those applying for Social Security benefits or SSI.
Attention to detail and careful preservation of any available records is crucial when trying to establish your US presence before age 5, as discrepancies or missing information can delay or complicate the process.
Consulting with legal or government assistance professionals can be helpful in navigating the specific documentation requirements and processes for proving US presence before age 5.
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