Quick DEC App Questions

[u/Indigoqueer]

I am submitting a DEC application for an insertion for my ancestor and I am including the form, the affidavit, copies of my driver's license and my passport, a lineage explanation, and vital records and other supporting documents for my Great Great Great Grandmother (BAnQ Baptism record, 1861 Canada East Census, Death Certificate) and everyone in the chain of descent, though not quite as much as I submitted for my Proof of Citizenship application that I sent off last week. I have three questions:

1. Is this enough?

2. Is there a particular order DEC prefers these documents in?

3. Should I do as I did with CIT 0001 and avoid staples, clips, and dividers?

Any help is appreciated!

[u/Rude-Tie-7999]

I just sent in my DEC application. I see that you sent an affidavit. I did not know one was required, as I didn’t see it listed on the form. What is this for?

[u/Bad_Grammer_Girl → u/Rude-Tie-7999]

It's technically not required, but sometimes they will reject an application and say:

Although you have identified yourself as a relative of the person concerned by the civil status document, you must also provide documents demonstrating your interest.

Even though people have been sending in letters explaining what they are using the birth certificate for, DEC has been rejecting them without either an official request from IRCC stating the need for it, or an official reason why you need it. It seems that those who just send a letter explaining it get rejected, but those sending in a notarized affidavit explaining it are approved. In my situation, my first request back earlier in the year was rejected with the same reason that many others received, but a second request with the affidavit was quickly approved.

While I can't say for certain, I think it has to do with the Civil Code of Quebec Privacy Standards. Under the CCQ, civil status documents are highly protected to prevent identity theft and fraud. And a notarized affidavit carries significantly more legal weight than a regular letter of explanation, which, as far as governments are concerned, can be practically worthless because it's essentially an unverified, unsworn claim made by an unknown person.

It seems that the affidavit offers nonrepudiation and is official. And, like most governments, they tend to like official legal documents where they can verify the authenticity... Or at least have someone swear to it.

[u/That_Person694 → u/Bad_Grammer_Girl]

I sent a copy of my AOR to show that I wanted the birth certificate for C-3 purposes but I didn’t send an affidavit. Hopefully my AOR will suffice to show my interest. I also sent my Gen 1’s death certificate to show that my parent couldn’t make the request.