DS230

[Mike n Huong 1]

Good Evening,

I posted this originally in the US Citizen Sponsoring a relative, but also thought it might be also a good idea to get input from those dealing with the specific Consulate I am dealing with. After concern about what document to submit taking into consideration what papers the HCMC Consulate requests at the interview and what papers I thought needed to be submitted with the DS230, I called NVC. This is what I was told:

Since my case is for a step-son (Age 9) relationship the papers required are as follows:

Copy of Biographic page of Beneficiary Passport

Certified Copy of Birth Certificate

Original or Certified Copy of Custody Paper regarding Beneficiary (Child Quit Claim and/or Custody Paper)

Passport Pictures

That is it. I asked about the Divorce paper between the Beneficiary's Mother (my wife) and her ex, and Marriage Certificate between Beneficiary's mother and the Petitioner (me). She said that they are not required to turn in with the DS230 and can be presented at the interview, but if I wanted to submit them then I could do so. I am concerned about the originals being available for the interview if I send them to the NVC. Any Suggestions? Also any suggestions on the safest mail carrier for sending AOS and DS230 info to Beneficiary for the interview????

Thanks,

Mike

[Bernie C 24]

Hi Mike - I would send copies to the NVC and have the originals avaibale at the interview. If it was possible to get additional certified copies then you could go that route.

I prefer to use Fed-Ex when sending things to VN. I have had zero problems so far with them and poor performance with regular mail. DHL is definatly out for me as I visited their location in Nha Trang and it was VERY SCARY. I dont know how they deliver anything. UPS was not a good fit for Nha Trang either but may have better service in other cities.

Just my 2 cents! Best Wishes!

[BinhJerome 14]

Hi Mike - I would send copies to the NVC and have the originals avaibale at the interview. If it was possible to get additional certified copies then you could go that route.

I prefer to use Fed-Ex when sending things to VN. I have had zero problems so far with them and poor performance with regular mail. DHL is definatly out for me as I visited their location in Nha Trang and it was VERY SCARY. I dont know how they deliver anything. UPS was not a good fit for Nha Trang either but may have better service in other cities.

Just my 2 cents! Best Wishes!

Mike, I agree with Bernie, send copies to NVC and if possible have them certified, then take the originals to the interview. Even though they are not asking for them, if you feel there could be complications or just any inquiry into the documents it is better to ship those documents to NVC this way the consulate should not be able to give you greif about them, and then if you have them at the interview as well, it should all work out smoothly. As far as sending them I have seen only one UPS driver my entire time here and tons of DHL, but I have never been to their sites to look around, and I have not seen any fedex here, but if Bernie has not has problems with Fedex, then I would say use them, I know I will look into fedex when I need to order new books for my online shooling. Good luck Jerome and Binh

[hieumin 2]

My wife lives in HCM and I used USPS International Priority Mail last two weeks and it took 8 days to get there. Usps charged me around $13.

[Mike n Huong 1]

Thanks for the great advice.

My worries were this:

As for the mail, I am sending my Tax Information which shows my personal information. I just want to make sure that it gets to my step son without someone getting their hands on my information. I know when I sent stuff to my wife when she was still living in Vietnam the post office in Vietnam would open it up before she was there. I have heard that if they see something they like, it disappears. I think FedEx may be the safest.

As for the DS230 and supporting documents. This has been debated before that the decision of approval or denial is made before the beneficiary even interviews. If that is the case I want to make sure they have the information I stated to prove my relationship with the beneficiaries mother. So I think sending a copy of the information and stating the originals will be provided at the interview will be the best way to go. If NVC decides they want the originals of those documents, I will send them in.

Thanks,

Mike

[hieumin 2]

Regarding HCMC, As long as you send documents you should be safe. Dont send gifts through any carrier without insurance attached. The best way to send gift to VN is through a third Vietnamese party carrier in America. You should find one if you live in LA, Dallas or populated Vietnamese area etc. They charge $5/pound and duty included. They also deliver to your door.