Birth Certificate Hustle

[Cixelsyd 1]

So we're in the process of gathering documents to be sent to the NVC.

From my understanding the copy or certified copy of the birth certificate comes from the Zags (Local Administration).

Here's the Problem:

My wife went to the Zags/Admin to get a copy. They basically shot the idea down and said it would be illegal for her to have two copies etc..

Their solution to the problem is to get a copy and have it certified by a notary.

Now I'm not sure if they're lost in the sauce, on mental vacation or just a plain lack of understanding.

Or maybe even we're over thinking it.

Now for the Question:

Are we going to be staring at the business end of a RFE if we send a notarized copy?

Anyone had/have similar problems/answers?

[SMR 368]

So we're in the process of gathering documents to be sent to the NVC.

From my understanding the copy or certified copy of the birth certificate comes from the Zags (Local Administration).

Here's the Problem:

My wife went to the Zags/Admin to get a copy. They basically shot the idea down and said it would be illegal for her to have two copies etc..

Their solution to the problem is to get a copy and have it certified by a notary.

Now I'm not sure if they're lost in the sauce, on mental vacation or just a plain lack of understanding.

Or maybe even we're over thinking it.

Now for the Question:

Are we going to be staring at the business end of a RFE if we send a notarized copy?

Anyone had/have similar problems/answers?

Not sure if we were just lucky, but we just used a photocopier. I don't remember any requirement for it to be official or even notarized. A copy just means a copy.

[Cixelsyd 1]

Not sure if we were just lucky, but we just used a photocopier. I don't remember any requirement for it to be official or even notarized. A copy just means a copy.

Yeah, I think you're right actually. I was reading through an earlier post about some of this fun and found where Brian_Toma said he called the NVC and they said copies are fine except for the DS-230.

So hurray for selective memory.

See what happened there. I even forgot to say thank you.

Thanks for the quick and accurate answer.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So we're in the process of gathering documents to be sent to the NVC.

From my understanding the copy or certified copy of the birth certificate comes from the Zags (Local Administration).

Here's the Problem:

My wife went to the Zags/Admin to get a copy. They basically shot the idea down and said it would be illegal for her to have two copies etc..

Their solution to the problem is to get a copy and have it certified by a notary.

Now I'm not sure if they're lost in the sauce, on mental vacation or just a plain lack of understanding.

Or maybe even we're over thinking it.

Now for the Question:

Are we going to be staring at the business end of a RFE if we send a notarized copy?

Anyone had/have similar problems/answers?

Russian law...go figure. A photocopy is fine. It does not have to be certified or notarized

[Cixelsyd 1]

Russian law...go figure. A photocopy is fine. It does not have to be certified or notarized

Funny part is they origionally told her it only takes 15 minutes to make a certified copy, but she would have to come back in 5 days and do it then. Of course when she came back, the current laws for the day stated otherwise.

[baron555 934]

Of course when she came back, the current laws for the day stated otherwise.

And it's at this point where the savvy Russian shopper becomes like a T-34 Tank and also breaks out the wallet.

I can understand how some folks may not have this experience with working the Russian system.

Edited March 24, 2010 by baron555

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Funny part is they origionally told her it only takes 15 minutes to make a certified copy, but she would have to come back in 5 days and do it then. Of course when she came back, the current laws for the day stated otherwise.

This is perfectly normal behavior in the FSU. Bribes of $10-15 can go a long way to re-establish new laws. She knows this.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

And it's at this point where the savvy Russian shopper becomes like a T-34 Tank and also breaks out the wallet.

I can understand how some folks may not have this experience with working the Russian system.

Actually best to keep some paper money in $10-15 equivilent in your pocket loose. I usually keep 50 Hryvnia notes in my left pocket and 1 and 2 Hryvnia notes in my right pocket (for busses and trolleys). whip out a 50 and slide it across the counter and tell them you will wait in the hallway.

DISCLAIMER...I am in no way suggesting anyone bribe anyone in the visa process, this is not about getting a visa, this is about getting other documents!

Funny part is they origionally told her it only takes 15 minutes to make a certified copy, but she would have to come back in 5 days and do it then. Of course when she came back, the current laws for the day stated otherwise.

The clerk wanted a bribe. It always starts this way when they have to "ask" for a bribe.

[Cixelsyd 1]

It wasn't a bribe issue actually. She talked to a couple different people, including the head of the Admin; or something like that, to make sure she really couldn't get a copy.

I chalk it up to some sort of a misunderstanding on their part.

I'm sure if it was one of those pay the fee situations, she would have known; after all, she does live there.

On a side note, out of all the time and situations I've been in through there, I've never run into the "pay-the-fee" situation. Maybe that behavior is more prevalent in other parts.

I have consistently encountered the "no, you must do this first" though. Happens all the fricken time.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It wasn't a bribe issue actually. She talked to a couple different people, including the head of the Admin; or something like that, to make sure she really couldn't get a copy.

I chalk it up to some sort of a misunderstanding on their part.

I'm sure if it was one of those pay the fee situations, she would have known; after all, she does live there.

On a side note, out of all the time and situations I've been in through there, I've never run into the "pay-the-fee" situation. Maybe that behavior is more prevalent in other parts.

I have consistently encountered the "no, you must do this first" though. Happens all the fricken time.

A couple of other people have said this about Russia, not my experience, but my Russia experience is very limited. Yes, in Ukraine it is common to run into the "you have to do this first" or "you have to wait 3 weeks" which is usually shortend drastically, like by 3 weeks, if you bribe them $10. In fact, I take that as the "cue" to break out the $$$. Hasn't failed me yet.

[mox 298]

I have a friend in Ukraine who is doing the Australian equivalent of a K1. She went to get her police report with American dollars in hand because she knows the drill. She filled out the form, handed it to the cop, and he said it would be done within 3 weeks. She asked how much she owed (*wink* *wink*) and the cop asked her what she was talking about, it's free of course. She said she nearly fainted.

[baron555 934]

It wasn't a bribe issue actually.

Here in Chicago that is called "special consideration".

Usually only used in restaurants and theaters (and city hall!!!)

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have a friend in Ukraine who is doing the Australian equivalent of a K1. She went to get her police report with American dollars in hand because she knows the drill. She filled out the form, handed it to the cop, and he said it would be done within 3 weeks. She asked how much she owed (*wink* *wink*) and the cop asked her what she was talking about, it's free of course. She said she nearly fainted.

Gosh I hope things aren't chaging and we really have to wait 3 weeks! Actually we didn't bribe them for the police certificate because 3 weeks was OK with us at that time. We did bribe them for the corrections in Alla's divorce certificate (which they corrected but then made other mistakes...you get what you pay for and nothing else).

In construction work there it was absolutely routine in every aspect. I got the distinct impression that for $100 one could have bought thermo-nuclear devices. Perhaps an exaggeration, but not too much.

[slim 1,525]

In construction work there it was absolutely routine in every aspect. I got the distinct impression that for $100 one could have bought thermo-nuclear devices. Perhaps an exaggeration, but not too much.

Mark me down for $400 worth next time you head over there.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Mark me down for $400 worth next time you head over there.

So much for P-22's and tomohawks, eh?