A few first hand lessons learned with NVC processing....

[trailmix 77]

Thanks so much for the info. I can't believe I missed the boat on things to send with the DS230...it should come with an instruction page like the I130 and AOS. Why doesn't it?? Anyway, I called the NVC and they said that sometimes the USCIS (sometimes? what??) sends all the documents to the NVC. Since I sent the originals of everything, including translations, to the USCIS and they accepted them, then they very well could have made it to the NVC in which case they would not need anything further. For some reason the guy on the phone could tell me they received my mail (sent 2 weeks ago...) but would not know for a couple more weeks whether or not they got the documents from USCIS. Ok....what? Shouldn't it all be right there? Sorry, venting a little.

No problem. I don't really know, I have never seen anyone post that their originals ventured from USCIS to NVC - which is not to say it has never happened, i've just never seen anyone post it.

Good luck

Edited December 15, 2009 by trailmix

[trailmix 77]

Thanks so much for the info. I can't believe I missed the boat on things to send with the DS230...it should come with an instruction page like the I130 and AOS. Why doesn't it?? Anyway, I called the NVC and they said that sometimes the USCIS (sometimes? what??) sends all the documents to the NVC. Since I sent the originals of everything, including translations, to the USCIS and they accepted them, then they very well could have made it to the NVC in which case they would not need anything further. For some reason the guy on the phone could tell me they received my mail (sent 2 weeks ago...) but would not know for a couple more weeks whether or not they got the documents from USCIS. Ok....what? Shouldn't it all be right there? Sorry, venting a little.

I just realized you meant you didn't send your civil documents with your DS-230 at all (didn't realize you are already at the NVC stage). That is probably going to be a problem. What about the police certificate(s) did you send those to USCIS too? What exactly did you send with your DS-230?

Edited December 15, 2009 by trailmix

[M&ME 2]

Grats speed

Guide for NVC is here:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...he_NVC_ShortCut

Specifications for which documents they require - by country - is here (just select your country from the drop down box at the top):

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3272.html

I followed the link to the reciprocity page for Germany, but I didn't see anything pertaining to translations. I did send an original Marriage cert and US birth cert to the USCIS, but we got several copies of the marriage cert when we got married just in case, so I have no problem sending another to the NVC, I also picked up a few copies of my US birth cert, so no big deal there either.

I'll have to figure out the translation issue before too long, it cost over 100 euro just to get my birth cert done and I'll don't want to spend that on the other docs if I don't have to. So much good info as I prepare for the next step. Thanks to you all.

[M&ME 2]

http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/iv_documents.html

I found this, which makes me feel like the documents are acceptable in German, hence, no translation required:

"Translations

All documents not in English or German must be accompanied by certified English translations. The translation must include a statement signed by the translator that states that the translation is accurate, and the translator is competent to translate."

Edited December 15, 2009 by M&ME