Confused on items needed for DS-230 package

[kj007 1]

hey VJ'ers, hoping for some help on a couple questions for the DS-230 package, as I received NOA2 last week and am trying to prepare as quickly as possible:

1) I'm completely confused on the 'original' vs. 'certified' birth certificate requirement. My wife has her original birth certificate - do I need to send this in as well as a Certified copy? LingChe's shortcut mentions "Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records" needs to be provided. Could someone help explain where my wife could obtain such an annotation?

2) Along similar lines, do we need to provide an original marriage certificate?

3) Also on the marriage certificate - we got married in Karachi, Pakistan and were given originals in both Urdu (local language) and English. I was told that the English version was NOT a translation, but would be considered an original. During the USCIS process, i only submitted an attested copy of the English marriage certificate and got through fine, but i understand that the NVC and consulate needs more than an attested copy. Would it be smart to send in originals of both the Urdu and English versions?

Thanks!!

[trailmix 77]

Hi,

You will want to have a look at the Reciprocity By Country page - just choose your country from the drop down list to get exact details of what NVC wants to see.

1) I'm completely confused on the 'original' vs. 'certified' birth certificate requirement. My wife has her original birth certificate - do I need to send this in as well as a Certified copy? LingChe's shortcut mentions "Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records" needs to be provided. Could someone help explain where my wife could obtain such an annotation?

There is no such thing as a 'real' original that a person would send in. Birth certificates (for example) - when you are born your parents fill out a form along with the hospital staff member, stating all the details of your birth. The parents sign it. This is the actual original birth certificate. Your parents do not get to keep this (i'm sure there are obscure cases where they do, but that would be incredibly rare).

The hospital takes this form and sends it to the appropriate government registry office. Now your birth has been registered with the government.

You want a copy of this. You go to the registrar's office (or wherever they issue such things in your country) and ask for a copy. This is what NVC wants - a certified copy from the issuing office. This may well be what your wife already has.

What NVC is saying is - don't send us a photocopy of that - we want the actual document. So send them that AND a photocopy of same.

2) Along similar lines, do we need to provide an original marriage certificate?

Same answer as above.

3) Also on the marriage certificate - we got married in Karachi, Pakistan and were given originals in both Urdu (local language) and English. I was told that the English version was NOT a translation, but would be considered an original. During the USCIS process, i only submitted an attested copy of the English marriage certificate and got through fine, but i understand that the NVC and consulate needs more than an attested copy. Would it be smart to send in originals of both the Urdu and English versions?

Check the reciprocity tables

Edited May 6, 2010 by trailmix

[Darnell 8,479]

DS-230 - http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3190.html

Please read all 7 pages.

[kj007 1]

thanks for the replies!

do have another question for the masses my wife had a new passport made after our wedding with her new last name. when sending in copies of the passport biography page, should i include her old passport as well as her new one?

[OBX 51]

thanks for the replies!

do have another question for the masses my wife had a new passport made after our wedding with her new last name. when sending in copies of the passport biography page, should i include her old passport as well as her new one?

No, just the new one. I also had a new passport issued in my married name; that is the one I used as that was the current active passport.

Edited May 6, 2010 by OBX

[msilva 0]

No, just the new one. I also had a new passport issued in my married name; that is the one I used as that was the current active passport.

Hi we got an RFE on my wife’s Birth Certificate. The NVC operator said the RFE was because they need the long version but the checklist letter referenced some quote implying we sent an unofficial copy even though it was fine for USCIS.

So please make sure you get the long version with the appropriate seals stamps signature from the proper government authority.

You want to avoid that it has the appearance of a copy.

I am still waiting on my wife’s BC to travel from NE BRAZIL to NVC.

[muskan4eva 0]

i mailed in my ds230 package today and i did mail the urdu/english orignals of both marriage and birth certificate. along with the whole packet i also included copy of everything.

certified copy only means the original stamp/signatures of the issuance agency.

[trailmix 77]

Hi we got an RFE on my wife’s Birth Certificate. The NVC operator said the RFE was because they need the long version but the checklist letter referenced some quote implying we sent an unofficial copy even though it was fine for USCIS.

So please make sure you get the long version with the appropriate seals stamps signature from the proper government authority.

You want to avoid that it has the appearance of a copy.

I am still waiting on my wife’s BC to travel from NE BRAZIL to NVC.

This also reinforces why everyone must read the government instructions for each form and document.

Department of State - Civil Documents

Each applicant will need to obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in the country of birth, showing the date and place of birth and the parentage of the alien, based upon the original registration of birth.

The certificate must contain the:

Person’s date of birth

Person’s place of birth

Names of both parents, and

Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records

[caliguy77 1]

i mailed in my ds230 package today and i did mail the urdu/english orignals of both marriage and birth certificate. along with the whole packet i also included copy of everything.

certified copy only means the original stamp/signatures of the issuance agency.

I have a question, my spouse got this new Nadra birth certificate that is both in Urdu and in English. Do I still need a translation for it ? Any ideas ...

[caliguy77 1]

hey VJ'ers, hoping for some help on a couple questions for the DS-230 package, as I received NOA2 last week and am trying to prepare as quickly as possible:

1) I'm completely confused on the 'original' vs. 'certified' birth certificate requirement. My wife has her original birth certificate - do I need to send this in as well as a Certified copy? LingChe's shortcut mentions "Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records" needs to be provided. Could someone help explain where my wife could obtain such an annotation?

2) Along similar lines, do we need to provide an original marriage certificate?

3) Also on the marriage certificate - we got married in Karachi, Pakistan and were given originals in both Urdu (local language) and English. I was told that the English version was NOT a translation, but would be considered an original. During the USCIS process, i only submitted an attested copy of the English marriage certificate and got through fine, but i understand that the NVC and consulate needs more than an attested copy. Would it be smart to send in originals of both the Urdu and English versions?

Thanks!!

Hi, I am putting the 130 package together. My spouse got this new NADRA brith certificate that is both in english and URdu. Any ideas if I still need a certified translation copy - or can I send the same one in (certified with the golden seal). Any suggestions. Which birth certificate did you send along with you 130 ? Thanks for the help.

[muskan4eva 0]

the one u got from NADRA in english/urdu will b considered original. the one my husband sent me has stamp and signatures at the end and they're original stamp/signatures.

i think it'll b fine. that's what i sent with DS230, lets c what happens.

what u need the translations for if it's in both english/urdu. just make sure that it has the original signature/stamp that's all....

[caliguy77 1]

the one u got from NADRA in english/urdu will b considered original. the one my husband sent me has stamp and signatures at the end and they're original stamp/signatures.

i think it'll b fine. that's what i sent with DS230, lets c what happens.

what u need the translations for if it's in both english/urdu. just make sure that it has the original signature/stamp that's all....

Thanks for the response. Did you send it with the 130 also ? Or did you just send the passport photocopy of the beneficiary (your husband). Right now I am only on the 130 phase.

[muskan4eva 0]

from what i know u only need to send in ur copy of nikah nama (marriage certificate) with ur I-130 application. u're not suppose to send in any original documents at this stage.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

by the way make ur timeline.

Edited May 11, 2010 by muskan4eva