Which, if any, ORIGINAL documents does my fiancee need for the K-1 visa interview?

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

I just mailed the I-134 Affidavit of Support and some additional "Evidence of an Ongoing Relationship" to my fiancee in preparation for her visa interview, but I realized afterward that I haven't sent her every ORIGINAL document that we plan to submit. In fact, I think I'd accidentally sent some of the originals to the USCIS with the I-129F, such as the "Fiance Letter of Intent" that I'd signed. Now, my fiancee and I only have Xeroxed copies of that letter with my signature.

At the time, I didn't think it would be a big deal, but I've recently seen some VisaJourney hints that suggest my fiancee will need all of the original documents during her interview. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure which documents need to be original, nor if they are really required. Here are two suggestions from different parts of VJ, one that says the originals MAY be requested and the other that implies originals are REQUIRED:

• Be sure that you have the original documents for any item that you submit as a photocopy in your original petition. The original documents may be requested (even though they allow you to initially submit a copy) by the USCIS and even embassy as part of the adjudication process.
  
• Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.
  

Does the NVC forward the entire I-129F visa petition to the embassy so it can be supplemented by documents and evidence my fiancee brings to the interview, or will my fiancee need to bring every piece of evidence with her, even those forms that were already submitted to the USCIS? If the petition is forwarded, my fiancee will have the original I-129F and my original Fiance Letter of Intent, so that is a start. She will also be bringing many duplicates, since I mailed her copies of everything I sent to the USCIS for the petition. The problem is, I can't remember right now who has the originals of each document.

One thing that confuses me is that most of the documents we need to submit (e.g. I-129F, G-325A, I-134, DS-156, DS-157, DS-156K, & in our case, the Fiance(e) Letters of Intent) are filled in using a computer, so the only part of those documents that makes them "original" is the handwritten signature. I've made copies of some of these signed documents and accidentally submitted some copies instead of the "originals". For example, I just realized that I accidentally sent the Xeroxed copy of my I-134 -- I still have in my possession the only copy I signed! So apparently it would have been better to make many blank, unsigned copies and then sign them all in ink so that they're ALL original! But in all honesty, is it really that important that the Embassy sees the original signature for EVERY document?

Or do they only mean "important" documents like my birth certificate? I only sent a copy of that! Did they REALLY want me to send my original birth certificate? Or did they only mean my fiancee's "important" documents? She will bring new NSO copies of her birth certificate as the Manila Embassy requests, and her NBI certificate, passport, and CENOMAR will all be "original". However, for "Evidence of a Meeting" and "Evidence of an Ongoing Relationship", I did not send original photos (I'd sent a computer printout of a collage of six photos from my trip to the Philippines with my fiancee, her family, and I), nor my original passport with stamps showing travel to the Philippines (I'd sent Xeroxed copies), nor original boarding passes or hotel receipts (Xeroxed copies). I was reluctant to send any of these since they are all one-of-a-kind documents. I figured I would only send the originals if requested.

So how important is it that the U.S. Embassy sees all original documents? Which documents need to be original and which don't? Has anyone been denied or held up at the interview stage because of a lack of original documents?

Or am I just being paranoid now?

Edited April 18, 2010 by Karen_and_Jay

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Read this.

Basically - anything you send them with a signature (yours or your beneficiary) should be "original".

Everything else can be copies.

However, they can ask to see the originals at anytime - so you should have them available.

Depends on who is looking at the documents - if your signature looks "photocopied", I have seen them kick them back (RFE).

[~Johnny~ 27]

Jay,

I sent all original forms to Wilma in case the consulate asks for the backup. I sent by FEDEX (I hope you didn't send USPS..they loose things in PH)....but I sent originals as follows:

Original Birth Certificate for me

"" signed I-134 and original 1040, W2s, letter from my company

"" Divorce Certificate

"" receipts to backup I-129F (boarding passes, ferry tickets, hotel receipts, etc)

"" photos of us printed on photo paper

"" all her 156, 156K and 157 forms filled out with photos attached to 156

"" my signed letter of intent to marry (embassy addressed)....and printed one for her to sign

She'll need originals (not copies) of the following:

NSO Birth Certificate printed on NSO paper

NBI Clearance Certificate

CENOMAR

And she'll need evidence of the relationship:

emails, letters, photos, engagement ring, chat logs, letters of intent to marry, evidence of support, etc.

I got Wilma a file folder wallet to keep all this stuff organized and look more professional during the interview. Like this one:

http://www.smead.com/Director.asp?NodeId=951

Goodluck

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

Read this.

Basically - anything you send them with a signature (yours or your beneficiary) should be "original".

Everything else can be copies.

However, they can ask to see the originals at anytime - so you should have them available.

Depends on who is looking at the documents - if your signature looks "photocopied", I have seen them kick them back (RFE).

Thanks for the link! Very helpful! I've seen it before, but somehow I'd forgotten how to find it again!

But will the forms I sent to the USCIS for the visa petition, like the G-325A and the Fiance(e) Letters of Intent, be forwarded to the Embassy for the interview? I ask because I already sent them the originals then, and now I only have photocopies. I already sent Karen a newly signed Fiance Letter of Intent because I heard it's good to do so again closer to the interview, but I didn't plan on sending another "original" G-325A!

[Karen_and_Jay 2]

I sent all original forms to Wilma in case the consulate asks for the backup. I sent by FEDEX (I hope you didn't send USPS..they loose things in PH)....but I sent originals as follows:

Too late! I always send by USPS, and luckily so far, nothing has gotten lost. USPS always seems to be 1/2 the price of FedEx, and I can't afford to pay $45+ every time I want to send some documents. But my mom sent Karen some inexpensive jewelry in an envelope for a birthday gift via USPS, and that was "lost."

Original Birth Certificate for me

"" signed I-134 and original 1040, W2s, letter from my company

"" Divorce Certificate

"" receipts to backup I-129F (boarding passes, ferry tickets, hotel receipts, etc)

"" photos of us printed on photo paper

"" all her 156, 156K and 157 forms filled out with photos attached to 156

"" my signed letter of intent to marry (embassy addressed)....and printed one for her to sign

I sent a newly signed and dated original Fiancee Letter of Intent and the original letters from my employer and banks, but only printouts of my 1040s (filed online, so there is no original) and photocopies of my birth certificate, W2s, and all boarding passes and receipts. Didn't you feel nervous sending one-of-a-kind receipts in case they got lost?

Do you really think the Embassy needs my original birth certificate? I thought they'd only need hers. I sent photocopies of my passport & birth certificate -- you would think that would be enough to establish my citizenship. Did you order another copy of your birth certificate? I've heard this can be done, but I've never done it before and thought a photocopy would suffice. Do you know how long it generally takes to get a copy of a birth certificate?

She'll need originals (not copies) of the following:

NSO Birth Certificate printed on NSO paper

NBI Clearance Certificate

CENOMAR

And she'll need evidence of the relationship:

emails, letters, photos, engagement ring, chat logs, letters of intent to marry, evidence of support, etc.

All Karen's documents are original. I only sent an 8.5"x11" collage of photos I'd printed from my work computer, but if they really need to see them as actual photographs, Karen does have 1 or 2 I sent her (but intended for her to keep).

Sadly, I asked this question mainly because I rushed on Friday to send my Affidavit of Support & additional evidence, but I'd accidentally left the only original Affidavit of Support at my job & sent a photocopy! Do you think it's worth it for me to send it again? Did you send 1 or 2 copies of the Affidavit of Support?

[~Johnny~ 27]

Hey Jay,

Yeah I sent WIlma some gifts last November for her birthday via USPS Global Express. The items never made it and I never used USPS for shipments to PH again. The regular postal system in PH really sucks. I just sent her a package with FEDEX with all the necessary documents and originals. It cost $75 and was there in 3 days and I actually tracked it along the mighty Fedex system...which was comforting. USPS still says....."package enroute" for her bday present sent last November...

The reason for the original birth certificate was just in case they ask her for it. According to the instructions, you could be asked at any time to provide originals as backup for any copies you submitted. I sent her originals via dependable Fedex so I wasn't so nervous about loosing anything and I'll get them all back... hand delivered by a beautiful Pinay in a few weeks....

I sent a total of 32 photos printed on photo paper, two pics per sheet. Probably overkill but I printed them at home and didn't cost much.

Not sure if you really need to send the original I-134....I think it's more important that you can establish solid financials and show that you have adequate income to take care of yourself and Karen.

[confusing 5]

Do you need both a Police clearance for living in the Philippines as well as an NBI clearance?

[gurpalsingh88 0]

Hey Jay,

Yeah I sent WIlma some gifts last November for her birthday via USPS Global Express. The items never made it and I never used USPS for shipments to PH again. The regular postal system in PH really sucks. I just sent her a package with FEDEX with all the necessary documents and originals. It cost $75 and was there in 3 days and I actually tracked it along the mighty Fedex system...which was comforting. USPS still says....."package enroute" for her bday present sent last November...

The reason for the original birth certificate was just in case they ask her for it. According to the instructions, you could be asked at any time to provide originals as backup for any copies you submitted. I sent her originals via dependable Fedex so I wasn't so nervous about loosing anything and I'll get them all back... hand delivered by a beautiful Pinay in a few weeks....

I sent a total of 32 photos printed on photo paper, two pics per sheet. Probably overkill but I printed them at home and didn't cost much.

Not sure if you really need to send the original I-134....I think it's more important that you can establish solid financials and show that you have adequate income to take care of yourself and Karen.

Hello sir i have got my case to ambassy allready and when i checked my date of birth it was wrong what should i do now? and i looked the i-129f she mailed ..and she made an mistake ? my case is allready in ambassy what should i do now ? any idea :-ss

help please:((

[TracyTN 237]

Tell them about it at the consular interview so they can correct it. No need to freak out.

[~Johnny~ 27]

Do you need both a Police clearance for living in the Philippines as well as an NBI clearance?

The NBI is the police clearance (or really it's the criminal background investigation) for the Philippines. If you visited or worked in any other country for more than 6 months then you would need a police clearance from each one of those other countries. If you stayed in PH all your life then all you need is the NBI certificate.

[Lebanese23 303]

Can someone give me a sample or overview of what the letter from Work needs to say and how long it needs to be? Does it need to be signed by HR staff or my manager. I’m just confused about the details of it because why is it necessary if we are sending copies of pay stubs and tax returns that proves I work there

[payxibka 10,047]

On 4/18/2010 at 7:18 AM, Bobby+Umit said:

Read this.

 

Basically - anything you send them with a signature (yours or your beneficiary) should be "original".

Everything else can be copies.

However, they can ask to see the originals at anytime - so you should have them available.

Depends on who is looking at the documents - if your signature looks "photocopied", I have seen them kick them back (RFE).

basically you are wrong as it relates to the petitioner.  The only signed document that the petitioner has to submit is the Affidavit. 

 

Ink Signature No Longer Required on Affidavits of Support (12/28/2016)

December 28, 2016

As part of our ongoing efforts to be responsive to customer needs in immigrant visa processing, the Department of State is pleased to announce that original or “wet ink” signatures are no longer required on submitted Forms I-864, Affidavit of Support. This also applies to the I-864A, I-864W, and I-864EZ.  This also applies to I-134.

 

Secondly, the embassy does not issue RFE's but 221g's

 

 

[payxibka 10,047]

38 minutes ago, JoulieS said:

Can someone give me a sample or overview of what the letter from Work needs to say and how long it needs to be? Does it need to be signed by HR staff or my manager. I’m just confused about the details of it because why is it necessary if we are sending copies of pay stubs and tax returns that proves I work there

It is not necessary.  read the instructions.  The list is EXAMPLES of evidence

[payxibka 10,047]

On 4/22/2010 at 9:42 AM, ~Johnny~ said:

The NBI is the police clearance (or really it's the criminal background investigation) for the Philippines. If you visited or worked in any other country for more than 6 months then you would need a police clearance from each one of those other countries. If you stayed in PH all your life then all you need is the NBI certificate.

PC's are needed but only if you meet the time and country AND if they are available.  Need to check the document reciprocity list to see what is available

[Lebanese23 303]

16 hours ago, payxibka said:

It is not necessary.  read the instructions.  The list is EXAMPLES of evidence

i did read the instructions, that is why i am confused. see the red texts below.....so it's necessary. i just want to know if it needs to be written like a letter form or just list the info they asked for and have it signed by HR? what the heck is a business stationary?? I am assuming piece of paper with my employer's name stamped on it....i'm guessing?

 

Submit in duplicate evidence of income and resources, as appropriate:
A. Statement from an officer of the bank or other financial institutions with deposits, identifying the following details
regarding the account:
(1) Date account opened;
(2) Total amount deposited for the past year; and
(3) Present balance.
B. Statement(s) from your employer on business stationery showing:
(1) Date and nature of employment;
(2) Salary paid; and
(3) Whether the position is temporary or permanent.
C. If self-employed:
(1) Copy of last income tax return filed; or
(2) Report of commercial rating concern.
D. List containing serial numbers and denominations of bonds and name of record owner(s).