I129-F "originals"

[honbako 1]

Hi everyone,

I'm going through the post NOA2 steps on the K-1 Guide. Under What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2) step #2 says: Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.

Could anyone clarify what "originals" in this particular case mean? I obviously can't send my passport or my Certificate of Naturalization. Any ideas or suggestions? Thank you.

[Audy_Rob 26]

Hi everyone,

I'm going through the post NOA2 steps on the K-1 Guide. Under What to send to your fiance(e) once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2) step #2 says: Send all originals of the documentary proof that you submitted for the I-129F to your fiance(e) for their interview at the embassy.

Could anyone clarify what "originals" in this particular case mean? I obviously can't send my passport or my Certificate of Naturalization. Any ideas or suggestions? Thank you.

This means that the Embassy could ask your fiance(e) for the original document of anything submitted in the I-129F. No, not your passport or Certificate of Naturalization.

They could ask for originals of Used airline boarding passes, hotel receipts, ATM slips, any documents you submitted to prove you had met in the previous two years to filing the I-129F.

Other documents might be your birth certificate although you did not seem to submit that. Additionally the divorce decree (if it applies) is also another form they might ask for.

Those are the documents they are referring to, they usually do not ask to see them but they can.

Good luck.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

This means that the Embassy could ask your fiance(e) for the original document of anything submitted in the I-129F. No, not your passport or Certificate of Naturalization.

They could ask for originals of Used airline boarding passes, hotel receipts, ATM slips, any documents you submitted to prove you had met in the previous two years to filing the I-129F.

Other documents might be your birth certificate although you did not seem to submit that. Additionally the divorce decree (if it applies) is also another form they might ask for.

Those are the documents they are referring to, they usually do not ask to see them but they can.

Good luck.

This is correct.

I don't recall reading any specific cases where consular officers have actually asked to see any of the original documents that were submitted with the petition package, though I know several cases where USCIS or NVC has sent an RFE to view an original document when they had questions about a photocopy that was submitted. The point is that a consular officer may ask to see an original document, and if the beneficiary doesn't have it then the consular officer can issue a 221(g) denial requesting the beneficiary to obtain the original document. It's better to be prepared in case it does happen.

Do NOT give your certificate of naturalization to ANYONE. Only the US government has the authority to even ask for a photocopy of your certificate of naturalization. If you plan on being at the consulate when your fiancee goes to the interview then you can give her your passport to show the consular officer. The CO won't specifically ask to see it, but it does show you are there, and can sometimes help demonstrate the relationship is bona fide and help win an approval.

[honbako 1]

Thank you kindly for your replies; I think this is one of the few cases that being a pack rat turned out to be beneficial. I definitely don't plan on giving out my Certificate of Naturalization to anyone.

Should the interviewer request to see them, is it safe to assume that the originals are returned?

In the original I-129F petition, I had included a copy of the engagement ring receipt and we'd definitely need it should we need to have any work done on the ring.

Since it's kind of tied in with this question, for the interview proof of relationship information, is it necessary to use the original letters (and envelopes) or would copies suffice?

I don't mind sending the originals; I guess I'm just paranoid of not getting those back.

Thank you kindly again for your replies.

Edited July 11, 2010 by honbako

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thank you kindly for your replies; I think this is one of the few cases that being a pack rat turned out to be beneficial. I definitely don't plan on giving out my Certificate of Naturalization to anyone.

Should the interviewer request to see them, is it safe to assume that the originals are returned?

In the original I-129F petition, I had included a copy of the engagement ring receipt and we'd definitely need it should we need to have any work done on the ring.

Since it's kind of tied in with this question, for the interview proof of relationship information, is it necessary to use the original letters (and envelopes) or would copies suffice?

I don't mind sending the originals; I guess I'm just paranoid of not getting those back.

Thank you kindly again for your replies.

She should bring the original AND a copy of each document or piece of evidence. In the event they do ask to see an original document or piece of evidence it will be because they are looking for something that isn't obvious in the photocopy, such as whether an "official" document has an embossed seal, or whether a piece of evidence has been 'doctored' in any way. Once they've confirmed the original is legit then they would normally want to include it in the case file, but if you provide a copy then they'll usually keep the copy and return the original. Your fiancee can also tell the consular officer that she would like the original documents and evidence returned when the CO is finished inspecting them (only if they actually ask to see them).

There are a number of additional documents the consulate will probably ask your fiancee to bring, as well as an extra copy of each. Birth certificate, identification card, etc. They will return the originals of those documents and keep the copies she brings.

[honbako 1]

She should bring the original AND a copy of each document or piece of evidence. In the event they do ask to see an original document or piece of evidence it will be because they are looking for something that isn't obvious in the photocopy, such as whether an "official" document has an embossed seal, or whether a piece of evidence has been 'doctored' in any way. Once they've confirmed the original is legit then they would normally want to include it in the case file, but if you provide a copy then they'll usually keep the copy and return the original. Your fiancee can also tell the consular officer that she would like the original documents and evidence returned when the CO is finished inspecting them (only if they actually ask to see them).

There are a number of additional documents the consulate will probably ask your fiancee to bring, as well as an extra copy of each. Birth certificate, identification card, etc. They will return the originals of those documents and keep the copies she brings.

Thank you for the advice; I'll make sure that there are copies. I'm worried that she's going to balk at how much paper work she has to take with her to the interview though. Ha ha ha. Thanks again.