A Certificate for a Mortgage

On a recent visit from my Mother, she told mentioned that my Brother, who is an educator in New York, has applied for a mortgage. He had called her while she was staying at my home and has asked her the whereabouts of his birth certificate.
"What does he need that for" I asked.....
"He needs it for his mortgage."
"WWHHAT?"

I was confused. Wait a minute..did she just tell me that she needed his birth certificate to apply for a mortgage? I have purchased five homes during my time and have never been asked to provide such an item. Maybe times have changed, although I just closed on my fifth home and still have to wonder.

Wait another minute? Isn't there a lot of questioning about whether out current President is a U.S. Citizen or not. Didn't he have to produce a birth certificate when running for the Presidency? NO? Are you kidding me? One of the requirements of the Presidency is that you have to be a native of the country for cryin' out loud!

How come my Brother had to provide his certificate for buying a home but the President didn't need to provide one to run our country? You know, I will never know, but it certainly gives you something to think about........