Notarized Copies for Visa Application (DS-230)

[rkapur 0]

Hello VJers,

Need some help and direction.

We are working on our Visa Application (DS-230 Part 1 and Part 2) and as a part of this we have been asked to send Certified/Attested Copies of Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate. Today when I took the originals to a Notary to get copies attested I was referred to following website: http://www.nationalnotary.org/news/index.c...=83&focus=1

and they refused to certify the copy.

The web site mentions:

Notaries may not certify copies of vital records

It is common for applicants to be asked to supply a "notarized copy" or "certified copy" of vital records such as a birth certificate, a death certificate or a marriage license. An example of this is a person asking a Notary to certify a copy of a birth certificate in order to travel to another country.

However, because the originals of these documents are kept by a public office, Notaries may not certify copies. The only acceptable way to obtain certified copies of vital records is through the agency that holds them, often a county clerk or registrar/recorder's office. Despite frequent improper instructions to obtain "notarized" copies, these are the only agencies that may lawfully certify copies of vital records.

Sadly original documents for Benefitiary in this case are from Kuwait (which is her country of residence) and are currently with me in US (Appointed Point of Contact for all future correspondence).

Would it be ok to provide regular copies at this time and produce originals at the time of interview? What would you recommend in this case?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Regards,

Rajat

[Dakine 26]

Hello VJers,

Need some help and direction.

We are working on our Visa Application (DS-230 Part 1 and Part 2) and as a part of this we have been asked to send Certified/Attested Copies of Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate. Today when I took the originals to a Notary to get copies attested I was referred to following website: http://www.nationalnotary.org/news/index.c...=83&focus=1

and they refused to certify the copy.

The web site mentions:

Notaries may not certify copies of vital records

It is common for applicants to be asked to supply a "notarized copy" or "certified copy" of vital records such as a birth certificate, a death certificate or a marriage license. An example of this is a person asking a Notary to certify a copy of a birth certificate in order to travel to another country.

However, because the originals of these documents are kept by a public office, Notaries may not certify copies. The only acceptable way to obtain certified copies of vital records is through the agency that holds them, often a county clerk or registrar/recorder's office. Despite frequent improper instructions to obtain "notarized" copies, these are the only agencies that may lawfully certify copies of vital records.

Sadly original documents for Benefitiary in this case are from Kuwait (which is her country of residence) and are currently with me in US (Appointed Point of Contact for all future correspondence).

Would it be ok to provide regular copies at this time and produce originals at the time of interview? What would you recommend in this case?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Regards,

Rajat

You stand the chance of a RFE if you don't give them exactly what they ask for. While you're doing it. Get at least 3 certified "original" copies of all documents that relate to your case! May need them later.

Edited September 11, 2008 by Haole

[cantwait2long 0]

Hello VJers,

Need some help and direction.

We are working on our Visa Application (DS-230 Part 1 and Part 2) and as a part of this we have been asked to send Certified/Attested Copies of Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate. Today when I took the originals to a Notary to get copies attested I was referred to following website: http://www.nationalnotary.org/news/index.c...=83&focus=1

and they refused to certify the copy.

The web site mentions:

Notaries may not certify copies of vital records

It is common for applicants to be asked to supply a "notarized copy" or "certified copy" of vital records such as a birth certificate, a death certificate or a marriage license. An example of this is a person asking a Notary to certify a copy of a birth certificate in order to travel to another country.

However, because the originals of these documents are kept by a public office, Notaries may not certify copies. The only acceptable way to obtain certified copies of vital records is through the agency that holds them, often a county clerk or registrar/recorder's office. Despite frequent improper instructions to obtain "notarized" copies, these are the only agencies that may lawfully certify copies of vital records.

Sadly original documents for Benefitiary in this case are from Kuwait (which is her country of residence) and are currently with me in US (Appointed Point of Contact for all future correspondence).

Would it be ok to provide regular copies at this time and produce originals at the time of interview? What would you recommend in this case?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Regards,

Rajat

Rakpur

I have seen many posts about the same topic.

Lot of folks have sent the originals to NVC and they were fine.

Call NVE and ask them that might help you.

[hope1 0]

Hello VJers,

Need some help and direction.

We are working on our Visa Application (DS-230 Part 1 and Part 2) and as a part of this we have been asked to send Certified/Attested Copies of Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate. Today when I took the originals to a Notary to get copies attested I was referred to following website: http://www.nationalnotary.org/news/index.c...=83&focus=1

and they refused to certify the copy.

The web site mentions:

Notaries may not certify copies of vital records

It is common for applicants to be asked to supply a "notarized copy" or "certified copy" of vital records such as a birth certificate, a death certificate or a marriage license. An example of this is a person asking a Notary to certify a copy of a birth certificate in order to travel to another country.

However, because the originals of these documents are kept by a public office, Notaries may not certify copies. The only acceptable way to obtain certified copies of vital records is through the agency that holds them, often a county clerk or registrar/recorder's office. Despite frequent improper instructions to obtain "notarized" copies, these are the only agencies that may lawfully certify copies of vital records.

Sadly original documents for Benefitiary in this case are from Kuwait (which is her country of residence) and are currently with me in US (Appointed Point of Contact for all future correspondence).

Would it be ok to provide regular copies at this time and produce originals at the time of interview? What would you recommend in this case?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Regards,

Rajat

Rakpur

I have seen many posts about the same topic.

Lot of folks have sent the originals to NVC and they were fine.

Call NVE and ask them that might help you.

You gays just want to complicate you life, you do not have to notarize you original birth or marriage certificates. Just send them man.

Hello VJers,

Need some help and direction.

We are working on our Visa Application (DS-230 Part 1 and Part 2) and as a part of this we have been asked to send Certified/Attested Copies of Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate. Today when I took the originals to a Notary to get copies attested I was referred to following website: http://www.nationalnotary.org/news/index.c...=83&focus=1

and they refused to certify the copy.

The web site mentions:

Notaries may not certify copies of vital records

It is common for applicants to be asked to supply a "notarized copy" or "certified copy" of vital records such as a birth certificate, a death certificate or a marriage license. An example of this is a person asking a Notary to certify a copy of a birth certificate in order to travel to another country.

However, because the originals of these documents are kept by a public office, Notaries may not certify copies. The only acceptable way to obtain certified copies of vital records is through the agency that holds them, often a county clerk or registrar/recorder's office. Despite frequent improper instructions to obtain "notarized" copies, these are the only agencies that may lawfully certify copies of vital records.

Sadly original documents for Benefitiary in this case are from Kuwait (which is her country of residence) and are currently with me in US (Appointed Point of Contact for all future correspondence).

Would it be ok to provide regular copies at this time and produce originals at the time of interview? What would you recommend in this case?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Regards,

Rajat

Rakpur

I have seen many posts about the same topic.

Lot of folks have sent the originals to NVC and they were fine.

Call NVE and ask them that might help you.

You gays just want to complicate you life, you do not have to notarize you original birth or marriage certificates. Just send them man.

sorry, you guys just want to complicate you life, you do not have to notarize you original birth or marriage certificates. Just send them man.

[rkapur 0]

Thanks for all the replies. This is exactly what I ended up doing. I mailed all the originals to them so that can have all the fun they want..