TN 32 (07-06)

A. Background

1. Availability of Civil Birth Records

Prior to 1974, civil records were generally available throughout Cyprus. Civil records are still available for:

1. Individuals born in the Greek-controlled sector of Cyprus; and

2. Turkish Cypriots born in the Turkish-controlled sector of Cyprus.

Evidence is no longer available for Greek Cypriots born in the Turkish-controlled area — either because the records have been destroyed or the authorities will not answer requests for certifications. Where available, birth certificates can be obtained from the Office of the Commissioner of the district of birth.

2. Types of Civil Birth Certificates

The Office of the Commissioner of each District issues two types of birth certificates.

a. “Class a” Certificates

Named because the issuing official checks item “(a)” showing the information was taken from the Register of Births.

b. “Class b” Certificates

Named because the issuing official checks item “(b)” showing the information is correct as far as he can ascertain.

B. Definition

The Turkish-controlled sector of Cyprus consists of all of the District of Kyrenia and parts of the Districts of Limassol, Nicosia (including part of the city of Nicosia) and Famagusta. Roughly, the part of the island which would be north of a line drawn from Famagusta (Magosa in Turkish) and Nicosia (Lefkosa in Turkish) and extending west around the Morphou Bay (Guzelyurt Korfezi in Turkish).

C. Policy

1. General

SSA assumes preferred evidence of age does not exist for Greek Cypriots born in the Turkish-controlled sector.

SSA accepts civil birth records at face value EXCEPT where the certificate was issued:

1. By a Mukhtar;

2. After July 1974 by the Turkish authorities for an individual born in the Greek-controlled sector; or

3. After July 1974 by the Greek authorities for an individual born in the Turkish-controlled sector.

SSA accepts the claimant's statement as to the area in which his/her birthplace is located.

2. “Class a” Civil Birth Certificates

SSA assumes a “Class a” birth certificate was based on records made at or near the date of birth.

EXCEPTIONS: SSA assumes the following are reconstructed records:

1. Certificates issued after July 1974 by the Greek authorities for Greek Cypriots born in the Turkish-controlled sector; and

2. Certificates issued after July 1974 by Turkish authorities for births in the Greek-controlled sector.

3. “Class b” Civil Birth Certificates

“Class b” birth certificates are delayed registrations and no assumptions can be made about the recordation dates.

4. Religious Records

SSA evaluates a baptismal record issued in Cyprus under GN 00307.105A.2.d. and GN 00307.110 only if it shows that it is a Roman Catholic Church record or that the baptism was according to the Roman or Latin rites.

If a religious record does not show that it is a Roman Catholic record, SSA accepts it at face value if it:

a. clearly shows when (month, day and year) the age or DB was entered in the source records; and

b. either:

• was issued at least 5 full years before the year in which the claimant first filed for benefits; or

• agrees materially with all other DB information in file

  (including allegations on other applications and the numident) and at least one of the pieces of evidence in file was recorded at least 5 full years before the claimant first filed for benefits.