Birth Certificate for US fiance

[Patrick&Chloe 7]

Hey,

My fiance and I are trying to complete our I-129F petition and we are not sure if his birth certificate needs to be an original or if I can be a photo copy?

Thanks,

Patrick & Chloe

[Scott and Mhay 57]

In the instructions it says copy...that is photocopy. If they need the orginal, they will ask you for it. Or better yet you can use a copy of his passport instead. see page 2 here: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf

Edited January 29, 2011 by Scott and Mhay

[Al422 221]

I have heard of cases where the service center issued an RFE because they wanted a certofied copy EVEN THOUGH they were dead wrong about it.

My thinking is that it is better to spend the $20.00 or so to get the certified copy and avoid the RFE.

[payxibka 10,045]

I have heard of cases where the service center issued an RFE because they wanted a certofied copy EVEN THOUGH they were dead wrong about it.

My thinking is that it is better to spend the $20.00 or so to get the certified copy and avoid the RFE.

You have heard? You have no direct knowledge?

[Messybrownhair 251]

We just used a copy for i129f packet and gave an original one for the interview at the embassy and we were fine

[Al422 221]

You have heard? You have no direct knowledge?

No I do not. Direct knowledge requires it happening to me, which it won't since I sent in a certified copy.

We are talking 20 bucks vs. playing the RFE lottery. It is quite clear to me which one is the better choice.

[Barbara J 115]

Hey,

My fiance and I are trying to complete our I-129F petition and we are not sure if his birth certificate needs to be an original or if I can be a photo copy?

Thanks,

Patrick & Chloe

You only need to send in a copy original is for beneficiary at interview

[Al422 221]

You only need to send in a copy original is for beneficiary at interview

I agree with you, as you are absolutely right. But I am not going to argue with the service center if they tell me otherwise because I am the one who gets the RFE, totally avoidable by spending the 20 bucks.

Some arguments are worth winning. Here, when the winning is 20 bucks and the possible loss is an RFE, I still think it is prudent to spend the 20 bucks.

Funny thing about the service center is regardless of who is right and who is wrong, you will lose every time.

[Patrick&Chloe 7]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Where can my fiance get his photocopied Birth Certificate certified?

[Aztec&Taino 144]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Where can my fiance get his photocopied Birth Certificate certified?

The petitioner does not need to send an original of any of the documents unless specifically asked. If you wanted to be extra cautious the petitioner could send both a photocopy of the birth certificate AND copies of every page of US passport. I sent photocopies of both my naturalization certificate and US passport and my petition was recently approved. Obviously, for me there was no need to send original anything

Best wishes!

[Wayne-Rachel 8]

We just used a copy for i129f packet and gave an original one for the interview at the embassy and we were fine

So the USC needs to send her original birth certificate to me come time for my interview in Sydney?

[Barbara J 115]

So the USC needs to send her original birth certificate to me come time for my interview in Sydney?

No when you have interview in Sydney you will send in your original birth certificate along with all your other documents that they require from packet 3, and they wil have all the info from your USC petitioner there that would have been sent over from NVC.

Your USC petitioner would have sent a copy of his birth certificate with the petition.

[Barbara J 115]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Where can my fiance get his photocopied Birth Certificate certified?

Patrick and Chloe the petitioner only needs to send in copies of Birth certificates for 129f petition, front and back. It says clearly on the instructions if born in USA a copy only.