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In depth
Chain of custody is the documented trail showing the origin, handling, and transfer of a document — from the issuing authority, through any intermediaries (translators, apostille agents, counsel), to the final filing authority.
For CBD cases, maintaining a clear chain of custody for every document is critical for: (1) preventing document fraud, (2) ensuring the filing authority can verify document authenticity, and (3) handling requests for evidence (RFEs) that question document provenance.
Ancestra maintains a chain-of-custody log for every document in every CBD dossier, including: the issuing authority, date of issuance, date of receipt, translator (if applicable), apostille agent (if applicable), and date of filing.
Related terms
A certified copy is a copy of a document that has been verified as a true and accurate copy by the issuing authority, typically required for CBD applications.
An apostille is a certification that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country that is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
An RFE (Request for Evidence) is a formal request from a citizenship authority for additional documentation or clarification during the processing of an application.
A long-form birth certificate is a detailed birth certificate that includes the child's and parents' full information, required for most CBD applications.
A short-form birth certificate is a simplified birth certificate showing only the child's basic information, typically not accepted for CBD applications.
A vital record is a government-recorded document that certifies a vital event — birth, marriage, divorce, or death — and is the primary evidence in CBD cases.