Originals Or Certified Copies?

[HSB 0]

Hi All,

I am getting ready to send all of my wife's docs to the NVC along with the DS-230.

I made certified copies of all of my wife's original documents from Bangladesh. I did this by taking all the Bangladesh originals to a local notary in New York, the notary looked at the originals, then they made me write a statement on each of the copies swearing it was a true copy of the original, and they notarized it.

Will the NVC consider this as truly certified copies? The notary said that's how copies are certified, but I'm not sure if the NVC have anything different in mind?

I am planning on sending the certified copies with the DS-230, and taking the originals to the interview, as I am hesitant to send the originals to the NVC by mail. But at the same time, I do not want any delays and a RFE to send the originals because the certified are not good enough. Did anyone face any problems in the past by sending in certified copies to the NVC instead of originals?

Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Dakine 26]

Hi All,

I am getting ready to send all of my wife's docs to the NVC along with the DS-230.

I made certified copies of all of my wife's original documents from Bangladesh. I did this by taking all the Bangladesh originals to a local notary in New York, the notary looked at the originals, then they made me write a statement on each of the copies swearing it was a true copy of the original, and they notarized it.

Will the NVC consider this as truly certified copies? The notary said that's how copies are certified, but I'm not sure if the NVC have anything different in mind?

I am planning on sending the certified copies with the DS-230, and taking the originals to the interview, as I am hesitant to send the originals to the NVC by mail. But at the same time, I do not want any delays and a RFE to send the originals because the certified are not good enough. Did anyone face any problems in the past by sending in certified copies to the NVC instead of originals?

Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Copies you make and swear are real are not certified. Anyone could do it.

[Beth/ Paris Heart 2]

Hi All,

I am getting ready to send all of my wife's docs to the NVC along with the DS-230.

I made certified copies of all of my wife's original documents from Bangladesh. I did this by taking all the Bangladesh originals to a local notary in New York, the notary looked at the originals, then they made me write a statement on each of the copies swearing it was a true copy of the original, and they notarized it.

Will the NVC consider this as truly certified copies? The notary said that's how copies are certified, but I'm not sure if the NVC have anything different in mind?

I am planning on sending the certified copies with the DS-230, and taking the originals to the interview, as I am hesitant to send the originals to the NVC by mail. But at the same time, I do not want any delays and a RFE to send the originals because the certified are not good enough. Did anyone face any problems in the past by sending in certified copies to the NVC instead of originals?

Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks!

That is not allowed, much less a Certified copy. A notary was only notarizing your signature, not the fact that you made copies and wrote the statement on them.

A certified copy is a copy (often a photocopy) of a filed document, legal or other, in its entirety (everything within a staple) that is sworn to be a true copy by a court clerk or solicitor. If the staple is removed then the copy loses its certified status.

Edited March 12, 2009 by Paris Heart

[Arun+Catie 1]

Hi All,

I am getting ready to send all of my wife's docs to the NVC along with the DS-230.

I made certified copies of all of my wife's original documents from Bangladesh. I did this by taking all the Bangladesh originals to a local notary in New York, the notary looked at the originals, then they made me write a statement on each of the copies swearing it was a true copy of the original, and they notarized it.

Will the NVC consider this as truly certified copies? The notary said that's how copies are certified, but I'm not sure if the NVC have anything different in mind?

I am planning on sending the certified copies with the DS-230, and taking the originals to the interview, as I am hesitant to send the originals to the NVC by mail. But at the same time, I do not want any delays and a RFE to send the originals because the certified are not good enough. Did anyone face any problems in the past by sending in certified copies to the NVC instead of originals?

Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks!

The NVC only accepts originals or copies certified by the issuing agency, not a notary. You will surely get an RFE requesting for the originals if you submit the notarized copies.

I know it's scary to send your originals to the NVC, but you must and you will receive them back once you have your interview.

[YuAndDan 153]

PER NVC Original or Certified copies.

Original Document Requirements

The applicant and each family member who will accompany the applicant to the United States will need to submit original documents or certified copies of the documents listed in this section from an appropriate authority (the issuing entity).

Photocopy Requirement

In addition to sending the original documents or certified copies of the documents to the NVC, the applicant and each accompanying family member must submit a photocopy of the original documents or certified copies of the documents.

Translation Requirements

All documents not in English, or in the official language of the country in which application for a visa is being made, must be accompanied by certified translations.

The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the:

• Translation is accurate, and

• Translator is competent to translate.

Required Documents

Original documents, photocopies, and translations of the following documents must be submitted to the National Visa Center for the applicant and each family member who will accompany the applicant to the United States.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

Moving to NVC forum

[ilikeallofu 0]

Arun is right... the "certified" copies doesn't mean attested/notarized copy of the original. What you did is a notarize the copy saying it's a duplicate of the original. However, NVC's certified copy requirement for DS230 has to come from the issuing agency. So, if you were born in a hospital, the certified copy of the birth certificate will have to be issued by either the hospital or the county who have record of your birth. At least that's my understanding.

[HSB 0]

Hi All,

I am getting ready to send all of my wife's docs to the NVC along with the DS-230.

I made certified copies of all of my wife's original documents from Bangladesh. I did this by taking all the Bangladesh originals to a local notary in New York, the notary looked at the originals, then they made me write a statement on each of the copies swearing it was a true copy of the original, and they notarized it.

Will the NVC consider this as truly certified copies? The notary said that's how copies are certified, but I'm not sure if the NVC have anything different in mind?

I am planning on sending the certified copies with the DS-230, and taking the originals to the interview, as I am hesitant to send the originals to the NVC by mail. But at the same time, I do not want any delays and a RFE to send the originals because the certified are not good enough. Did anyone face any problems in the past by sending in certified copies to the NVC instead of originals?

Any feed back would be appreciated.

Thanks!

The NVC only accepts originals or copies certified by the issuing agency, not a notary. You will surely get an RFE requesting for the originals if you submit the notarized copies.

I know it's scary to send your originals to the NVC, but you must and you will receive them back once you have your interview.

Wow, I'm glad I checked. Guess I will send in the originals and keep my fingers crossed that they don't get lost. Thanks all.

[elkfarmer 4]

Someone on here replied that you will get your originals and certified copies back at the interview. My wife took in originals and photocopies. The embassy should have had originals from NVC also. They asked for everything she had. No she did not get anything back. NADA I sent originals on I-130, NVC and to wife in Colombia. To top that off, I also have two children, and you guessed it, they asked for originals for both of them. And I doubt if any of it gets returned on their interview either. So be prepared.

[HSB 0]

Someone on here replied that you will get your originals and certified copies back at the interview. My wife took in originals and photocopies. The embassy should have had originals from NVC also. They asked for everything she had. No she did not get anything back. NADA I sent originals on I-130, NVC and to wife in Colombia. To top that off, I also have two children, and you guessed it, they asked for originals for both of them. And I doubt if any of it gets returned on their interview either. So be prepared.

I don't understand, how did you get multiple copies of an original, would that not defeat something being original? Most agencies is willing to give another copy of birth cert, marriage cert, etc... but each original will have a different registration number. In most countries, I don't think agencies by law can give out multiple originals with the same registration number. Is that what you did, get multiple originals with different registration number?

Anyway, from most experiences, I understand that embassy do return originals after interview, given you sent in photocopies for them to keep for their records. That's what it also states in the DOS website. I plan on sending in the originals, and taking colored photocopies to the interview, I think that should be sufficient. When NVC confirms your case is completed, that is proof that they received all the originals for the interview, so they should not ask for originals again when you go in for interview.

Btw, I-130 does not require originals. I sent in photocopies, and USCIS approved without hassle.

[queuedup 1]

You can go to the issuing agency of the document in Bangladesh and request additional copies. For example, I have 3 copies of my Marriage Certificate. All three copies were issued by the same agency, have sequential serial numbers, with the agency's seal on them.

When sending NVC documents, you should include the original, and a photocopy.

As a precaution when you go the interview, you will have a letter from NVC saying they have received your originals, but you should bring photocopies of everything you sent to NVC to the interview.

Good Luck!

[HSB 0]

You can go to the issuing agency of the document in Bangladesh and request additional copies. For example, I have 3 copies of my Marriage Certificate. All three copies were issued by the same agency, have sequential serial numbers, with the agency's seal on them.

When sending NVC documents, you should include the original, and a photocopy.

As a precaution when you go the interview, you will have a letter from NVC saying they have received your originals, but you should bring photocopies of everything you sent to NVC to the interview.

Good Luck!

Well, I can easily get additional copies of original marriage certificate from temple and PCC as well. but birth certs can take up to 6 months, may not have time to get another original birth cert by interview.

but I am planning on taking the NVC confirmation letter, with notarized colored photocopies of all originals when they schedule the interview.

thanks for the tip.

[queuedup 1]

You can go to the issuing agency of the document in Bangladesh and request additional copies. For example, I have 3 copies of my Marriage Certificate. All three copies were issued by the same agency, have sequential serial numbers, with the agency's seal on them.

When sending NVC documents, you should include the original, and a photocopy.

As a precaution when you go the interview, you will have a letter from NVC saying they have received your originals, but you should bring photocopies of everything you sent to NVC to the interview.

Good Luck!

Well, I can easily get additional copies of original marriage certificate from temple and PCC as well. but birth certs can take up to 6 months, may not have time to get another original birth cert by interview.

but I am planning on taking the NVC confirmation letter, with notarized colored photocopies of all originals when they schedule the interview.

thanks for the tip.

No Problem. Good Luck!!

[elkfarmer 4]

The other poster is right. You go to the original office where the document was issued and ask for more originals, In my case, San Andress , colombia for marriage certificate. Notoria office where my wife's original birth certificate was registered, etc. No one receives an original certificate, period. Not even in the USA. The original always stays where you are registered. Whether it is birth certificate, marriage, divorce, adoption, what ever. What you get is a photocopy of the original, certified by the issuing agency.