Hi there, I was wondering if anybody had any ideas on how I would be able to get my 1978 birth certificate.  I moved to Canada over 30 years ago from Laos and never had a birth certificate issued.  I am now married to an American and we need to move to the States for his job.  I just had my consulate interview and this is our one stumbling block.
Has anyone had any experience in this and knows what steps I need to take in order to obtain this?  I do not speak the Laos language either (unfortunately) so I'm worried this is going to be a major problem.  Any insight would be appreciated, thanks in advance :)

You need to get in touch with the Chief of the village where you used to live in Laos, and request for a birth certificate.

Thanks for the reply, is this also the case for Pakse?  I spoke to my parents tonight who've told me I was born in Pakse Hospital.  

So you're a southern girl.

If you have relatives in Pakse, tell them to provide the Village Chief with your details and your parents name. Pay him a fee (he'll do anything for you if he sees the money), and he'll write a letter and stamp it for you.

How is moving to America have anything to do with a birth certificate?

Isn't your citizenship, passport and drivers license enough information?

Why is the village chief always a 'He'?

Oddly enough I have gone through my entire life not needing my birth certificate.  This is my first time applying for a US citizenship though so it must be standard procedure.  Any country that issues birth certificates would require me to obtain one;Laos was on the list and I was quite surprised as well.    

Men have more power than women in Laos.

I hope your connections in Laos can help with it, it should be easy.

Fingers crossed! I hear it can be a pretty difficult process though; my dad thinks it might be easier to just get a immigration lawyer instead.  I don't have family there anymore.  My brother went through a similar situation bringing his wife over to Canada but from another village.  It took 3 years to get her over. Thanks for your help  :)

You can do that too, whatever works best for you.

Sometimes it's quick, and sometimes it takes time for people to bring their wife over from Laos.

It's nice to see you stop by to Lao Pride, and we welcome your contribution.

Is the village chief highly respected?
Does he have more privileges than others?
Does he even get paid?

Yes, yes, and yes.

Can he beat his wife too?

No he cannot.

YES HE CAN! You just ascertained the fact: 'yes, yes and yes'.

You're good 'nang'. Very, very good. ;D

There are boundaries.

He just can't go around killing people.

Is there any chance that his position as 'Village Chief' could be usurped by an envious rival?

The village chief is very well respected within his village, so it's highly unlikely, unless he does something extremely bad.

"Power corrupts". With all this power comes even greater responsibilities (and priveledges).

I don't think Lao are THAT envious of each other to overthrow a Village Chief in such circumstances. I may be wrong.

How is the next Chief found?
Is this resposibility inherited: passed down from father to son; is the Chief voted in; or is he instated in some OTHER way?

The Village Chief is voted in, or if he doesn't have anyone to challenge him for the job then he will be instated, unopposed, as the Village Chief.

Agreed. "Absolute power corrupt." Government salary is too low and not enough to feed their family so bribery, corruption is common in one party system. There's corruption everywhere, but less in Western nation because nobody want to take a chance and loose their high paying jobs. Some government worker in US make about $50,000- $70,000 a year some make more.
:-? :-X


Larb Dip wrote on 19^th Mar, 2011 at 10:13pm:

"Power corrupts". With all this power comes even greater responsibilities (and priveledges). I don't think Lao are THAT envious of each other to overthrow a Village Chief in such circumstances. I may be wrong. How is the next Chief found? Is this resposibility inherited: passed down from father to son; is the Chief voted in; or is he instated in some OTHER way?

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 20^th Mar, 2011 at 12:36am:

The Village Chief is voted in, or if he doesn't have anyone to challenge him for the job then he will be instated, unopposed, as the Village Chief.

How much is he paid?
What 'priveledges' is he granted?

That's his business.

I feel like you're giving me a sidelong look here 'nang' ;D