Interview Problems

[pibohmark 0]

Recently my wife went to her interview and everything was proceeding well until she was asked for an ORIGINAL copy of our marriage certificate. She replied that NOWHERE in packet 3 or 4 does it state that this is needed. The consul insisted that she must have it.

Our attorney wrote a letter of reprimand to the chief Immigration officer and has received no response. Both my Congress Woman and State Senator have also written letters expressing their concern and dismay for the action by the consular office.

Nevertheless, I was fortunate enough to have requested 3 originals all notarized when were married here in the USA. I sent one overnight DHL and have a receipt that they have received it. The interviewing official now is claiming that it is a certified copy and not the original despite the fact it IS the original.

The license is notorized and stamped in blue Notary ink and the date matched the date the license was issued. Had it been a certified copy, the date of the Notary would have been the date the certified copy was requested.

Calling them is a joke besides the fees involved, their broken English while somewhat understandable cannot get a supervisor or a decision maker to the phone and always says call back for an answer the next day for another fee.

Has anyone else had any experience with this problem and disorganization? Thanks!

[slim 1,530]

I don't have any experience with this other than sometimes they want something exact, other days they're a little more lax on what they're looking for. It's also up to the individual officer.

Stick to the legislators, they're the only ones who have any real power for discourse in this matter.

[KGSodie 0]

That's LUDICROUS. Most states, like the one I live in, will not EVER under ANY circumstances issue the 'original' marriage certificate - it is kept privately and securely by the government. The most you can get is a certified copy. You'd think the IO would know that. But, like most bureaucrats, they HATE to admit to errors. Just stupid.

Sounds like you did the 'right' thing, though - send them what the state office will issue to you, and then complain like heck over the stupidity on display.

[pibohmark 0]

That's LUDICROUS. Most states, like the one I live in, will not EVER under ANY circumstances issue the 'original' marriage certificate - it is kept privately and securely by the government. The most you can get is a certified copy. You'd think the IO would know that. But, like most bureaucrats, they HATE to admit to errors. Just stupid.

Sounds like you did the 'right' thing, though - send them what the state office will issue to you, and then complain like heck over the stupidity on display.

yes you would think they would know this. Finally my congress womans office put enough heat on them to force the issue but as you can see from their letter back to her, they still are reluctant to admit fault. Here is their response:

Dear Mr. F*******

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you.

We have approved the visa for your constituent’s wife, Ms. Igo****-Mat****. She will receive it in the next few days.

However, I would like to note that original marriage certificates are usually required. Pursuant to 9 FAM 42.65 N1, applicants must provide evidence establishing the relationship, such as a marriage or birth certificate. Even where certified copies are provided, 9 FAM 42.65 N11 states that consular officers “must ensure that photocopies of documents … are compared with original documents at the time of [the] immigrant visa (IV) application.” The confusion arose because apparently the State of Florida uses a centralized registry for their marriage certificates, so originals are not actually available, only certified copies (the stamp by the notary clearly states that it is a certified copy). Where originals are not available, certified copies suffice.

Please accept our apologies for the delay.

Regards,

Public Liaison Unit

Consular Section

US Embassy, Moscow

[mox 298]

Good to hear the visa was issued. As far as admitting fault...no consulate will ever admit fault. Ever. They are each their own little kingdom, and the consulates believe they are sovereigns. I imagine if you tried to get them to explain the definition of admitting fault, you'd just get a blank stare. Now the fact that they apologized for the delay practically knocked me off my seat. That's huge. Frame it and sell it on Ebay because it's a collector's item.

[KGSodie 0]

I think this is the most relevant part of the quoted reply:

"must ensure that photocopies of documents … are compared with original documents at the time of [the] immigrant visa (IV) application."

Now, I do like how they later admit that in some cases originals are not available and therefore certified copies are ok, but since when is a CERTIFIED copy exactly equivalent to a PHOTOCOPY (as stated in their reply). It's like my mama always told me - stupid is as stupid does!

[LvivLovers 39]

I think this is the most relevant part of the quoted reply:

"must ensure that photocopies of documents … are compared with original documents at the time of [the] immigrant visa (IV) application."

Now, I do like how they later admit that in some cases originals are not available and therefore certified copies are ok, but since when is a CERTIFIED copy exactly equivalent to a PHOTOCOPY (as stated in their reply). It's like my mama always told me - stupid is as stupid does!

Not only that...but I think that what this is really saying is if you bring in a photocopy it may need to be compared with the document that it is a photocopy of. It's not saying that the photocopied document must be THE original...it can be a certified copy of the original. The purpose of this is so they can keep your photocopy of your original certified copy rather than taking your original certified copy, but they still need to see your original certified copy to make sure it is authentic. If THEY are always so confused by this stuff how do they expect all of US to know what the hell they mean? Idiots!

[KGSodie 0]

I feel as though I'm in a maze of twisty passages, all alike. No, all different! I may be eaten by a grue!