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Albania: Description of valid birth and marriage certificates including security features (which resemble postage-style stamps and wet seals) and the general paper quality of original documents; register numbers and register years indicated on the top left hand part of the certificates

In 23 December 2004 correspondence with the Research Directorate, a Counsellor from the Embassy of the Republic of Albania provided the following information about the Albanian birth and marriage certificates.:

Security Features

All valid birth and marriage certificates have "a postage stamp that is sealed by a wet seal on one side of the paper."

Paper Quality

Of the same quality as regular "letter format" paper, Albanian birth and marriage certificates are smaller in size. In addition, data such as the document's issue date, the registrar office's number, "the register's name and year," the type of certificate, as well as the bearer's personal data (such as the names of the bearer's father and mother, date and place of birth) are all handwritten by the registrar officer.

Register Number and Register Years

Every community in Albania has its own unique register number (it is like a district number). The bearer of the valid birth or marriage certificate will thus have a register number corresponding to the location of his or her parents at the time of his or her birth. According to the Counsellor, "[t]he register year is always 1974 based on the last time of the reorganization of the 'Regjistrit Themeltar,' and until that happens again 1974 will always be on any birth or marriage certificate."

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Embassy of the Republic of Albania. 23 December 2004. Correspondence from a Counsellor.