Missing Birth Papers

You need to provide more detail on the "lost" birth certificates. Does your wife have copies of the certificates and they just don't show up in the original books in S?nchez? Or nobody has copies of the birth certificates and the children perhaps were never properly "declared" at the Oficialia?

In this last scenario, new declarations of birth would have to be made. The law mandates that all "late declarations" ("declaraciones tard?as") be reviewed by the Court of First Instance of the jurisdiction where the births took place before issuing valid birth certificates.

Would it be helpful to start acquiring supporting evidence of their existence?
Like Baptismal Certificates, school Matriculaci?n documentation, report cards, hospital records, ANY papers that show their continuing participation in their life in the DR??? In other words, a "legalized" paper trail from known institutions might be of help...
Are they young enough by DR law to have delayed certs of birth?
It seems we can add that to the basic needs:
something to do
someplace to live
someone to love
something called a birth certificate...
Best of luck to your family.
mk
glad to see Mr. Guzm?n answered while I was ranting... Mary

How 'bout a road trip? Just make sure you have lots of copies to show them. I'd hate to lose the originals.
mk

The Junta has been on an unofficial holiday for months because of all the political infighting that went on until recently. The President of the Junta was forced to resign after clashing with the rest of its members. Meanwhile, there was no time to take care of Civil Registry business. Now they realize that they are behind organizing the 2004 Presidential elections so their main efforts is being directed towards correcting that situation, not on taking care of the backlog of civil registry cases.

So be patient or get an attorney with inside contacts who may be able to speed things along.