Hi
I'm ready to apply for citizenship and have a problem concerning my birth certificate.
I was adopted as a baby and have a British birth certificate showing my birth surname. Shortly after I was born my adopted parents moved to Rhodesia. I have a photocopy of my Rhodesian birth certificate showing my adopted surname. (I lost the original cert somewhere in my travels). Anyhow I called the Zimbabwe government agency who deal with births and deaths and they confirmed having a record of my birth certificate. They wanted US$ payment and this is where it all goes awry. Australia have sanctions against Zimbabwe and will not allow transfer of funds there. I have called and emailed the office explaining the situation and have not got anywhere.
I called the Immigration helpline and they said that I have to show some evidence of how I have 2 surnames. Unfortunately I'm nearly 60 and do not have the adoption papers. So I thought that I won't disclose on the citizenship application that I was adopted, but I don't have an original Rhodesian/Zimbabwean birth certificate, and I don't know whether they will accept the photocopy.
I don't remember whether I disclosed that I was known under another name when we originally applied for PR - if I didn't then I guess that I could do the same on the citizenship application.
I have kept a record of my email to the Zimbabwean govt. as evidence that I have been in contact with them, but since I have not had a response it may not hold any water.
Does anyone have any suggestions to what I can do?
Thanks
TOny
