DOcuments for DS-230

[happywifeymom 4]

Hello fellow members,

Just need badly your help. We have all the documents ready for the DS-230 submission. My questions are:

1. Do we really need to send the original documents?

2. Do they accept certified copy of documents instead of originals? Example. We get a copy of my hubby's Birth Certificate frm the county where he was born and also we got a certified copy of his divorce decree from the court house and so with our marriage certificate..would this be okay?or do we really need the originals?

3.my kids are minors (12 and 9) can i just sign the ds-230 instead of my kids since i am the mother and the agent as well?

Please help me. Thanks very much .

[Scott and Mhay 57]

They need to be original as it is issued from the agency that maintains it. Divorce decree will be a copy certified by the court (original stays with the court)...marriage certificate has to be on NSO security paper (you did get married in the PI right?)

I dont know about the kids though...I remember reading something like that before (you would sign for your kids, but not completely sure)

Edited April 13, 2010 by Scott and Mhay

[trailmix 77]

Yes, you really need to send originals - but I think you may not understand what they mean when they say that.

A certified copy, from the government authority that issues it, is just fine. There are only very rare cases where anyone would have an 'original' document.

For instance, birth certificates. Your parents fill out the form when you are born and it is sent to be registered. When you need a copy of it you go to the government office and they give you the certified copy. Only they have the true 'original'.

I don't know the answer to the DS-230 for minors question.

Good luck.

[happywifeymom 4]

They need to be original as it is issued from the agency that maintains it. Divorce decree will be a copy certified by the court (original stays with the court)...marriage certificate has to be on NSO security paper (you did get married in the PI right?)

I dont know about the kids though...I remember reading something like that before (you would sign for your kids, but not completely sure)

Thank you so much for your reply. What am asking is are my documents that i am going to send be okay? My kids' birth certificates are authenticated from NSO in the Philippines and my Certificate of NO Marriage was also authenticated from NSO in the Philippines. I was not married to my ex(father of my kids).

I am going to send the authenticated(in Yellow NSO Paper) Birth certificate and certificate of NO marriage..would this be accepted? Coz there is only one original and if i get a copy from the offices that has this records then it would not be originals but certified copies..am i right?

We got my hubby's divorce decree from the county and his birth certificate from the Vital records office here in Georgia,and our marriage certificate..would this be considered legal valid documents even if they are not originals?

Pls.help thanks a million again .

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Yes that is what you need. Those are from the agency that issues them. Most people try to send photocopies and you cannot do that...you do send photocopies with the originals though.

Edited April 13, 2010 by Scott and Mhay

[happywifeymom 4]

Thank you so much..i was just making sure. I really appreciate your help.