Foreign Ministry Seal for Original & Translated documents??

[None-saurus 0]

I was just told (when I have all documents ready to send with the DS-230) by a friend who got her student visa to USA a few weeks ago that docs like the marriage and birth certificate translations have to be authenticated by the local foreign ministry! Is this true? Anyone have any experience on this?

[Chris Me lil D 17]

I was just told (when I have all documents ready to send with the DS-230) by a friend who got her student visa to USA a few weeks ago that docs like the marriage and birth certificate translations have to be authenticated by the local foreign ministry! Is this true? Anyone have any experience on this?

Absolutely, when you go at the NVC stage, they require originals, or certified copies of birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, and all these docs should be translated and notarized by the Ministry of foreign affairs in Sri Lanka. Please, check here http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3674.html for more info about Sri Lanka docs. Good luck and a safe journey

[None-saurus 0]

Thanks, love! I followed the link you gave but couldn't find any information about the docs needing to be certified by the foreign ministry. So I called the US Embassy Colombo and talked to a Consular Officer. She said that NONE of the documents accompanying DS-230 form has to be certified by the Foreign Ministry! Ok so finally my question was answered, thank God!

Peace be with you!

[Chris Me lil D 17]

Thanks, love! I followed the link you gave but couldn't find any information about the docs needing to be certified by the foreign ministry. So I called the US Embassy Colombo and talked to a Consular Officer. She said that NONE of the documents accompanying DS-230 form has to be certified by the Foreign Ministry! Ok so finally my question was answered, thank God!

Peace be with you!

Hey hun, if you visit the guide page you'll read about the requirements about the documents.

Here is the link: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/How_Do_I_Bring_My_Spouse_(Husband_or_Wife)_to_Live_in_the_United_States%3F#TRACK_2_-_DS-3032_and_DS-230

Required documents from the Beneficiary for DS-230 Immigrant Visa (IV) Package [NOTE: check at Reciprocity by Country (select your country and scroll down to bottom) to see what documents are available from your country - many don't have military or police documents available]

  1. Two passport-sized photographs (2X2 inches) of the beneficiary (Write down NVC Case# and beneficiary’s full name and date of birth on the back side of both photographs lightly)
  2. Completed and signed form DS-230 Part I by the beneficiary
  3. Completed and unsigned form DS-230 Part II by the beneficiary
  4. Photocopy of the beneficiary's passport biographic data page
  5. Original/certified copy of beneficiary’s birth certificate
  6. Original/certified copy of beneficiary’s and petitioner’s marriage certificate
  7. Original police certificate(s) of the beneficiary
  8. Original/certified copy of military record, if applicable
  9. Original/certified copy of divorce decree, death certificate, etc. of previous marriage, if applicable 


Important:

• If any of the civil documents are not in English, translate them into English and get them notarized. NOTE: NOT necessary to notarize. Also, many sources say it's not necessary to translate, if the documents are in the language of the embassy where the interview will take place: see Documents The Applicant Must Submit

• Certified copy of the civil document must be from the respective agency. That means, birth certificate’s certified copy must be from the birth registrar’s office, etc.

• IRS Tax Transcripts can be obtained free by dialing 1-800-829-1040

• Forms start with “DS” (DS-3032, DS-230) are from the Department of State and must be completed by the beneficiary. Forms can be found at: Department of State Forms

• Forms start with “I” (I-864) are from the USCIS and must be completed by the petitioner. Forms can be found at: USCIS Immigration Forms. 

In Bulgaria for example, according to Bulgarian law, citizens are not allowed to take out original documents out of the country. So due to this law, NVC accepts certified copies from Bulgarian citizens.

I wouldn't call the USEM, I'd call NVC and speak to them because they are the institution that requires these documents and they'll give you the right answer.

Good luck

[None-saurus 0]

Thanks dear! We don't have a law about taking original documents out of the country so I will be taking my original marriage and birth certificates with me when I go. I got the original copies issued from the "issuing authority" - the relevant Divisional Secretariats who originally issued the certificates. I hope that will be sufficient.