Adopted may risk not travel to the US – NRK

When matched to renew, loses some Norwegians who are born abroad information about where they are born. It remains “Birthplace: Unknown.”

The change is based on the Norwegian National Registry believes that evidence is not reliable enough in terms of place of birth in a number of African and Asian countries.

National Register accept only the country but not the place or city. It is this information from the population register used in the passport.

This may affect thousands of adopted children and adults, all of whom were born in another country. Adoption Society Children of the World is experiencing a number of inquiries from families and adult adoptees who do not get a passport.

Norwegian citizen in nearly 50 years

Aasne Veberg came to Norway from South -Korea in 1971. She has as many others not documented birthplace. Many people who are born in South Korea are automatically capital Seoul as the birthplace of the documents, according Veberg.

When she was informed of the new passport rule she called his local passport office. She said she there was told that she must provide original documentation from birthplace to get it registered in the passport. It can not be done.

– It is impossible for me to obtain. It is 46 years since I was born and I do not know how to obtain the certificate. Many of us adopted do not know what city we were born, she says to NRK.

– This is strange

She believes this new rule will affect many and create much extra work. She thinks it is sad if the rule will give consequences for Norwegian citizens must face problems with travel to countries they want on this basis.

– It’s very strange. I do not know what they think. I understand the purpose of the change, but they may not have thought practice. It creates a lot of inconvenience for many. It also goes on people who are granted Norwegian citizenship and who grew up here and have spent my whole life here in Norwegian families, she says and adds:

– This was a question I never thought the thought of. I after 46 years as a Norwegian Norwegians will have trouble getting me a passport.

Issues USA-site

The new rule will have consequences for entry into the US . It confirms the US Embassy in Oslo.

– Visa Waiver Program (VWP) administered by the US Department of Homeland Security. Having a passport with “Birthplace: Unknown” may have negative impact on travelers’ ability to get approved visa through Elctronics System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Those traveling under the VWP with ESTA visa are advised to apply early, says consultant Katherine Reimondez from the US Embassy in Oslo.

She states that when applying for a US visa, the applicant must be able to determine their identity to a consular work.

– having a passport without birthplace may affect the applicant’s ability to do it, delaying the application process, or have a negative impact on credibility. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Multiple dimensions

Aki de Leon, head of the organization against Public Discrimination (OMOD) believe there is a problem that many countries will not accept entry with unknown birthplace, and seems the rule has created a trust problem facing the police.

– This has affected and upset many. Not only those who have recently arrived in the country, but those who have lived here for over 30 years. Suddenly reads “Birthplace: Unknown” in matched theirs. Adoption authorities endorse you when you come to Norway, but 30 years later they do not know where you come from. It’s weird, he says and adds:

– Everyone knew where they came from, before police told them otherwise.

POD watching guidelines again

Police Directorate sorry uncertainty and any problems the revised policy has created. Directorate will now look at the circular again, and invite some of the organizations concerned to a dialogue.

On its website writes police directorate that they have since seen that the change may have some undesirable consequences the Directorate will now consider whether the problems surrounding the birthplace can be solved in a better way.

“Until any happening, continuing current practice. POD will also offer organizations that safeguard the interests involved a meeting to get their input and views. “It says.

31 countries

Rule change for passport applies primarily Norwegians born in the countries listed below because the National registry believes that the documentation is not secure enough. But also adopted from other countries because it is difficult for the population register to obtain a birth certificate.

• In Africa : Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (RC), Sierra Leone, Somalia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
• Asia: Afghanistan, the Philippines, India, Iraq, Yemen, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
• In Europe : Kosovo .