RFE on DS-230

[JessyRafa 0]

Okay, so I sent my DS-230 package in with everything they asked for. Last week, they smacked me with an RFE stating that the birth certificate I sent is neither an original nor an official certified copy. Okay...hold up here...

The birth certificate I sent is an official certified copy. It has been certified by the Mexican government and is stamped as such with the official seal at the bottom. How does this equate to NOT a certified copy??

So, since last week, I have been calling and calling and calling trying to figure out what is not official about it. I keep telling the representatives that it is stamped and official and they seem to understand. However, the original adjucator and the supervisor who reviewed it afterward seem to think otherwise. Now they are sending it to be reviewed by another supervisor who I'm hoping can see that this is indeed an official certified copy.

I don't understand...so, today I asked the rep if there are any notes regarding my proof that this document is authentic and she said NO. So, I asked her how the supervisor is supposed to know what to look for if they're not noting my comments. At this point, she started interrupting me saying very loudly "Ma'am, Ma'am, Ma'am" over and over again as if I was out of control! I have never been treated like that in my life...especially by someone I am paying to be there!!

Needless to say, I'm a little frustrated. Now, on top of everything, here I am ready to send ANOTHER certified copy and I still don't know what is so doubtful about the first. How am I supposed to spend more money sending something that they obviously think is not valid? What if they don't accept this one either? It is the only type of certified copy my husband was able to obtain...even if I had him go back over and over again, the result would still be the same.

I am at a loss...

Can anyone help me on this one?

[marie620 0]

Wow. I don't know. If you can't get them to understand it's real. Send them a letter with your case number in the top right corner. Include your reasons and info on what has happend. Include the new real birth certificate and name , address and phone of where you obtained the real birth certificate. That way if they don't believe you, they can investigate if it's real or not with the goverment agency that gave it to you.

Good luck!!!

[ffengr 0]

Wow. I don't know. If you can't get them to understand it's real. Send them a letter with your case number in the top right corner. Include your reasons and info on what has happend. Include the new real birth certificate and name , address and phone of where you obtained the real birth certificate. That way if they don't believe you, they can investigate if it's real or not with the goverment agency that gave it to you.

Good luck!!!

REPLY: Oct 28, 2008....Amazing, it appears the agent reviewing your case thinks similar as the one reviewing our case - except ours involves a marriage termination certificate (certified copy of the judgement). The RFE came back stating that it was not an original or certified copy. I later called NVC to get them to look into it and they told me to check in 10 to 14 days. I called back in 7 days and was told my case was reviewed in much detail and the supervisor upheld the original opinion that it was not an original or certified copy.

Upon hearing this, I simply returned to the courthouse/archives next day, purchased another 2 certified copies of originals and asked them to EMBOSS them this time with a seal - in addition to the seal on the last page (mine is on the back of the last page so I folded the page in half to make sure they can't miss it). I also included the original receipt for the purchase in my return mailer to NVC. I hope this will be clearer to the agent in my case.

Stay tuned.............

[ffengr 0]

REPLY: Oct 28, 2008....Amazing, it appears the agent reviewing your case thinks similar as the one reviewing our case - except ours involves a marriage termination certificate (certified copy of the judgement). The RFE came back stating that it was not an original or certified copy. I later called NVC to get them to look into it and they told me to check in 10 to 14 days. I called back in 7 days and was told my case was reviewed in much detail and the supervisor upheld the original opinion that it was not an original or certified copy.

Upon hearing this, I simply returned to the courthouse/archives next day, purchased another 2 certified copies of originals and asked them to EMBOSS them this time with a seal - in addition to the seal on the last page (mine is on the back of the last page so I folded the page in half to make sure they can't miss it). I also included the original receipt for the purchase in my return mailer to NVC. I hope this will be clearer to the agent in my case.

Stay tuned.............