Like as not, the Galway City forum isn't the appropriate place for this thread, but I can't find anywhere that is a better match.
My wife and two children moved here last week from America, and so we went to the Welfare office on Friday to apply for their PPS numbers. During our interview the interviewer insisted that we needed a letter from my GP in relation to the children, yet refused to explain why. My GP explained that no letter could be issued since 1. my children aren't registered at that practice, and 2. they didn't "know" my children, although they did "know" me.
I'm confused. We have:
Flight records, passports, birth certificates and a marriage certificate, all of which show a chain of custody and relationship between my children and I (and their mother). We now also need a letter from a third-party saying that they know the children are mine?
To quote from the actual
Welfare operations manual:
4.4 Child Applications - Form REG1
Where a PPS No is required for a child, a Form REG1 must be completed by the parent/guardian, in respect of the child. The parent or guardian's details should be entered on Part 2 at sections 11, 12 and 13. The parent/guardian should provide evidence of his/her own identity, address and evidence of the date of birth of the child, e.g. Birth Certificate ( UK or Northern Ireland only) or child's own passport or child's entry on the parent's passport.
The parent/guardian must indicate the relationship between them and the child. The relationship between the parent/guardian and the child in many cases will be self evident, i.e. same surname for parent and child. Where doubt arises, further inquiries/documentary evidence may be necessary and may require the assistance of the SW Inspector and/or CIS Control.
It is necessary for one of the parents/guardian to have a PPS No in order for the child to be registered and linked with their data. Where none exists, the parent must apply in the normal way. Local arrangements should be put in place to advise a parent of the child's number as letters only issue to individuals over 16 years of age.
Copies of the documents presented should be attached to the Form REG1 and the word CHILD clearly written on the front of the completed form.
I underlined a section for emphasis because neither my stepdaughter nor my wife share my last name, but as I stated above there is a solid cache of documents that establish our relationship.
Help?
