Birth Certificate Requirement

pmrozik

Hello All,

My wife received a job offer last week, but one of the conditions is that she has to bring in a copy of her birth certificate by Friday. The problem is she doesn't have one, and we're both Polish, so:

1. Getting a copy of the birth certificate can't be done online because she'd have to show up in person to get access to online services
2. She asked her son to go and pick up a copy of the birth cerificate. In many cases they can issue a copy on the spot, but this time around they said she has to wait a week

Now what?

I see three options.

1. Beg them to get a copy issued earlier
2. Ask for an extension with the company, explaining the situation
3. Question the requirement (not the smartest idea probably)

With regard to the third option, I found that birth certificates are required in the UK, but Ireland is not the UK. Is there a similar law in Ireland?

All comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Pawel

Zhane

I would do option 1 and 2, just explain the situation to the new employer and ask for an extension. Just say you've requested it but it'll be a maximum of XX days. If you get sent the BC earlier then happy days.

Do not ask what its needed for. Its their company they can ask for any identification they so wish. (within the law)

seamus

Why do they want her birth certificate though?

Presumably it's to do with establishing citizenship or identity, in which case her passport should do just fine. Most companies tend to look for the passport, I've never heard of them asking for a birth cert. And certainly not with such a hard deadline, sounds a bit mad.

Any road, no, being belligerent about it is a surefire way to find the job disappearing. But I would suggest, as above, that she attempts to get a copy issued quickly, and then explains the situation to the new employer. Ask them if a copy of her passport will do fine until she gets the birth cert sorted?

Victor

There are two possible reasons to seek a birth cert - to establish that the employee is over the age of 18 (employment rights, pay, etc. can vary) or that the employee is allowed to work in Ireland. A passport does a much better job on both counts.

I would be very cautious with this request - there is a hint of identity fraud about it.

It could also be racism, but I might be over-thinking that.

bisounours

Indeed, usually birth certs are only requested when other forms of identification aren't available (passport, European ID card)

Off topic: does anyone know why birth certificates are required to get married, in addition to passports/ other forms of ID? Always wondered....

Mrs OBumble

Victor wrote: »

There are two possible reasons to seek a birth cert - to establish that the employee is over the age of 18 (employment rights, pay, etc. can vary) or that the employee is allowed to work in Ireland. A passport does a much better job on both counts.

I would be very cautious with this request - there is a hint of identity fraud about it.

It could also be racism, but I might be over-thinking that.

Or it could be an employer who's used to dealing with local staff who perhaps don't even have passports, so usually just asks for a birth certificate (everyone has one of them).

Victor

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

everyone has one of them

Well, in this case, no.

Additionally, people from many developing countries never had any.

pmrozik

Thanks for all the replies.

The company is a large UK-based retailer and it's just a part of their policy, so I wouldn't go as far as conspiracy theories. And it's not racism because everyone else was asked for the very same. I would side with seamus here regarding citizenship/identity.

Her passport expired and getting another one is an even longer process than for a birth certificate, but that just reminds me that she should get her passport anyway.

We'll see how things progress, ball's in her hands. Thanks again.