Question Regarding "Original" Evidence...

[Sam and Ben 2]

We're looking into all of the procedures and necessary paperwork that goes with filing for the K1 Visa at the moment, and one question we both came up to was this:

With all of his credit card statements, cell phone bills, plane tickets, etc being paperless (on-line and able to be printed at any time, multiple copies, etc), how does this coincide with having to bring original evidence to the interview? Technically, any copy we include into our initial packet will be just as original as anything we print out and bring to the interview.

Is this considered acceptable? So many things nowadays are done solely on-line, so how is all of the dealt with when it comes to the consulate?

And yes, silly me, I might be focusing on minute details, but after so, so much reading over the past month, I've noticed that the quicker timelines were those without any RFEs to speak of, and understandably so. I'm just trying to make sure he and I are as prepared as possible.

--

Also, I have to say how incredibly thankful I am that this place exists. I can't imagine all of those who went through this process without the aid/sympathy/support of everyone else on this website. Thank you so much to everyone who helps out, and I hope that I can do the same once my experience with all of this has expanded a little.

[luckytxn 2,264]

You are right about all the paperless things we do but it is easy to get paper for proof. When I did all my online tickets to fly to see my fiance and then when I went to the airport they at that time then confirm me and then make the flight stuff needed. Keep all this or at least the parts that they give back to you when you board. I sent this all in. As for the credit card being used. I just went to the website and found the charge for the tickets and then downloaded copies and sent that. If one does a check of course one can go to their bank website and get a copy printed. When they asked for the past year bank account statement I went online and downloaded a full year and sent that.They wanted a letter from the bank stating how long I have been a customer and dates so I just sent a email asking for a certified copy and they did so and mailed it to me.

To make it all easy every anytime you need anything one can go online and get the info and there is always ways to just download what is needed.Of course if it has to be certified then one needs to have it done by letting someone at the company know and they will do so. Also if you ever get any receipt ever then just save and put in folders. I did this when I hired a car to get me places while overseas or paid admissions for anything. I of course took pictures everywhere and sent at least one pic from that place. I tend to overdue things and send in more than called for. No need to be this extreme.

Edited January 23, 2009 by luckytxn

[rainkiss10 0]

We're looking into all of the procedures and necessary paperwork that goes with filing for the K1 Visa at the moment, and one question we both came up to was this:

With all of his credit card statements, cell phone bills, plane tickets, etc being paperless (on-line and able to be printed at any time, multiple copies, etc), how does this coincide with having to bring original evidence to the interview? Technically, any copy we include into our initial packet will be just as original as anything we print out and bring to the interview.

Is this considered acceptable? So many things nowadays are done solely on-line, so how is all of the dealt with when it comes to the consulate?

And yes, silly me, I might be focusing on minute details, but after so, so much reading over the past month, I've noticed that the quicker timelines were those without any RFEs to speak of, and understandably so. I'm just trying to make sure he and I are as prepared as possible.

--

Also, I have to say how incredibly thankful I am that this place exists. I can't imagine all of those who went through this process without the aid/sympathy/support of everyone else on this website. Thank you so much to everyone who helps out, and I hope that I can do the same once my experience with all of this has expanded a little.

i can only share you what i did with our petition.

ALL evidences i attached were photocopies. The originals i sent to my bf in the US in case there is a RFE.

WE have been approved last Jan 9, 2009. Now im asking my bf to sent back all the originals that are with him for my interview in Manila soon.

*Phone bills, credit card bills- i sent a photocopy... to make it look neat i pasted it first on a bond paper and photocopied it. Phocopy i attached in the K1 petition, the original i sent to the bf in the US.

*Plane tickets and boarding pass ... same as above

*chats - just print some. not important with the K1 petition.

[Sam and Ben 2]

We're looking into all of the procedures and necessary paperwork that goes with filing for the K1 Visa at the moment, and one question we both came up to was this:

With all of his credit card statements, cell phone bills, plane tickets, etc being paperless (on-line and able to be printed at any time, multiple copies, etc), how does this coincide with having to bring original evidence to the interview? Technically, any copy we include into our initial packet will be just as original as anything we print out and bring to the interview.

Is this considered acceptable? So many things nowadays are done solely on-line, so how is all of the dealt with when it comes to the consulate?

And yes, silly me, I might be focusing on minute details, but after so, so much reading over the past month, I've noticed that the quicker timelines were those without any RFEs to speak of, and understandably so. I'm just trying to make sure he and I are as prepared as possible.

--

Also, I have to say how incredibly thankful I am that this place exists. I can't imagine all of those who went through this process without the aid/sympathy/support of everyone else on this website. Thank you so much to everyone who helps out, and I hope that I can do the same once my experience with all of this has expanded a little.

i can only share you what i did with our petition.

ALL evidences i attached were photocopies. The originals i sent to my bf in the US in case there is a RFE.

WE have been approved last Jan 9, 2009. Now im asking my bf to sent back all the originals that are with him for my interview in Manila soon.

*Phone bills, credit card bills- i sent a photocopy... to make it look neat i pasted it first on a bond paper and photocopied it. Phocopy i attached in the K1 petition, the original i sent to the bf in the US.

*Plane tickets and boarding pass ... same as above

*chats - just print some. not important with the K1 petition.

Maybe I'm not explaining properly... I apologize if that's the case.

I'm not concerned about the copies of evidence we'll need to send in with the intial packet, it's what they consider to be "original" evidence that I'm worried about.

My boyfriend, the USC, has all of his major credit cards bills and statements, as well as cell phone bills and the like received paperlessly. He receives no hard copy in the mail. The great majority of mine is done through mail, so bringing the originals of my own statements to my interview won't be an issue, but I'm worried about including a great deal of evidence from him because we won't be able to produce any original copies that haven't simply been printed from the companies website, which would be no different than the copies that were sent in for the I-129F.

The same is said about all of our plane tickets and boarding passes. Our copies and so-called originals are all printed in the same way, so there is no actual difference between a copy that is sent in for our package and the original that I bring with me to the interview. Is that considered acceptable "original" evidence for me to bring to my interview, or because the copy and original will be, essentially, the exact same copy, will they refuse that as acceptable proof?

Again, I'm sorry to those that answered, I guess I just didn't explain myself properly. I'm now just worried about this because it seems like almost everything that we'd be sending in as evidence won't have a "true" original to back it up come interview time.

Edited January 23, 2009 by sammysam

[luckytxn 2,264]

It was pretty much answered. The download from the website is the originals. The only hard copies you should have are the boarding passes and receipts that you both accumilate. That is all I sent them. If you are wanting something that is not a download then you can call and ask the companies to send you something but it will be pretty much as any download. The process just wants to see proof that you have met for one and also that you have an ongoing relationship. The embassies know that most things are done online and that downloads are going to happen.

I seem to have and most here have gotten their visas by doing exactly what you are worrying about. This is the digital and internet age. Of course some things will need to be certified copies and I am sure you will know what to do to get those. (Like Birth certificates)

Edited January 23, 2009 by luckytxn

[Chinap & Bass 0]

We recently received an RFE and provided:

-both of our passports (including the border / port of entry stamps in both directions),

-some bank statements confirming that I used my ATM and credit cards (backing up our "relationship timeline")

We hope that this is seen as sufficient evidence of "meeting", in our original package we also had the following as evidence of our relationship:

-Statements of intent to marry

-Our relationship timeline with about a dozen supporting photos

-Several emails (emails, IM, Skype have been our main mode of communication)

-copy of a love letter I wrote (I am slightly embarrassed by this, definitely not what I had in mind when I wrote it)

Unfortunately, we don't have any airline stubs left from the relevant time frame... We just didn't think of keeping them and those that we did keep have faded to blank stubs by now (heat printers...).

The whole digital age thing is another problem, I totally see where you're coming from sammysam, we're in the same boat!

Best wishes, let me know how it goes!

[TBoneTX 45,264]

The embassies know that most things are done online

Some do, but perhaps not all. From reading the various VJ fora, and hearing stories of non-VJers' interviews, I reluctantly conclude that a surprising number of consulates seem to be behind the times -- wanting land-line telephone records when (for ease & expense) so many modern couples use other avenues; wanting "actual" letters, cards, etc. instead of recognizing even e-mail, let alone the alternative methods of written communication... I wonder if some of these Section Chiefs, consuls, vice-consuls, and staff have simply been stationed overseas for too many years to be up with modern times, si man.

[Sam and Ben 2]

It was pretty much answered. The download from the website is the originals. The only hard copies you should have are the boarding passes and receipts that you both accumilate. That is all I sent them. If you are wanting something that is not a download then you can call and ask the companies to send you something but it will be pretty much as any download. The process just wants to see proof that you have met for one and also that you have an ongoing relationship. The embassies know that most things are done online and that downloads are going to happen.

I seem to have and most here have gotten their visas by doing exactly what you are worrying about. This is the digital and internet age. Of course some things will need to be certified copies and I am sure you will know what to do to get those. (Like Birth certificates)

Well the few companies I know of that will provide me with hard copies via mail for a charge I will likely contact anyhow, just to be safe.

I'd like to hope that most of the consulates are aware of how things are done nowadays, especially considering that most of us met our significant others on-line, but I'd hate to be refused for something as silly as lacking a proper original.

However, I also see that you were just recently approved for the Visa, and I do appreciate your insight.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It was pretty much answered. The download from the website is the originals. The only hard copies you should have are the boarding passes and receipts that you both accumilate. That is all I sent them. If you are wanting something that is not a download then you can call and ask the companies to send you something but it will be pretty much as any download. The process just wants to see proof that you have met for one and also that you have an ongoing relationship. The embassies know that most things are done online and that downloads are going to happen.

I seem to have and most here have gotten their visas by doing exactly what you are worrying about. This is the digital and internet age. Of course some things will need to be certified copies and I am sure you will know what to do to get those. (Like Birth certificates)

Well the few companies I know of that will provide me with hard copies via mail for a charge I will likely contact anyhow, just to be safe.

I'd like to hope that most of the consulates are aware of how things are done nowadays, especially considering that most of us met our significant others on-line, but I'd hate to be refused for something as silly as lacking a proper original.

However, I also see that you were just recently approved for the Visa, and I do appreciate your insight.

Copies are acceptable, generally. DO NOT count on anyone in the government being up to date on how things are done. I am being cynical, BUT they DO know how things are done and they KNOW you can get copies of anything if you want to. They will not accept "paperless billing" as an excuse for not having what they say you need to have. Stop the paperless stuff and get yourself the evidence you need. Don't get hung out because the credit card company wants to save a few pennies. E-tickets are useless as evidence, he will need the boarding pass and proof that he paid for the tickets is useless. They do not care who paid and payment is not proof of travel. A boarding pass is considered "proof". This is especially important for you since we do not (normally) get our passports stamped when we travel to Canada. Incidently, he can ask for proof of entry when he goes to Canada, they CAN stamp his passport, they just don't have to. Ask the phone company to send printouts of past bills. Other services can do the same, credit cards, etc.

Bottom line...you need to provide what the instructions say, somehow, someway. Have your fiance get to callin' and get the stuff he needs!

[Old Dominion 26]

IMO, the government does not want a ream of this kind of stuff, nor does it make much difference if the originals aren't submitted. Enough evidence of travel, any hotel bills, etc. will suffice. The letter from the bank (as specified in the instructions) is easy to obtain by going to a bank officer in person, and he should do that. A letter stating his employment and salary needs to be obtained in person. Phone records can be downloaded and are adequate for the purpose ofshowing constant communication. E-mails and/or written letters are useful. Don't get overwhelmed by the idea of providing a quantity of stuff, but only examples of what the two of you have been up to.