Packet 3 help needed

[ydrizzi 0]

Hi everyone...I'm new here. Found this forum a couple of weeks ago and it has been a great source of information and encouragement to know so many others are going through this crazy process. My fiance is from New Zealand (I'm from the States) and he received his packet 3 last week and I have just completed all of the necessary forms. I have two questions that I can't seem to find definitive answers to...everywhere I look I get conflicting answers. So here they are:

1) My fiance lived in Western Australia for a year so I know that he needs a police check from the Australian Federal Police, but I'm trying to figure out if he needs a National Police Check or National Police Check plus fingerprint check. Anyone have any insight? No point in spending the extra money (and the extra wait time) if fingerprints aren't necessary.

2) When we send back the checklist once we have everything compiled, do we send his original birth certificate? I was planning on sending a copy but I read a thread on here last night that said to send the original plus one photocopy. Makes me kind of nervous to send the original. Again, any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you!

[Enigma11561 336]

Hi everyone...I'm new here. Found this forum a couple of weeks ago and it has been a great source of information and encouragement to know so many others are going through this crazy process. My fiance is from New Zealand (I'm from the States) and he received his packet 3 last week and I have just completed all of the necessary forms. I have two questions that I can't seem to find definitive answers to...everywhere I look I get conflicting answers. So here they are:

1) My fiance lived in Western Australia for a year so I know that he needs a police check from the Australian Federal Police, but I'm trying to figure out if he needs a National Police Check or National Police Check plus fingerprint check. Anyone have any insight? No point in spending the extra money (and the extra wait time) if fingerprints aren't necessary.

2) When we send back the checklist once we have everything compiled, do we send his original birth certificate? I was planning on sending a copy but I read a thread on here last night that said to send the original plus one photocopy. Makes me kind of nervous to send the original. Again, any info would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you!

Each consulate is different but...I have not heard of fingerprints being required. Only a police report. And unless you are being asked SPECIFICALLY to send an original anything, send copies. I share your concern about sending originals in the mail. Usually copies are sufficient. If they want to see the originals, you can bring them to the interview.

[Lainie B 465]

The fingerprints police check is required for Australians applying through the US consulate in Sydney. However I do not know if this applies for New Zealanders who resided in Australia. The consulate in New Zealand will be able to tell you for sure. For example, when I got my K-1 at the Sydney consulate I needed the fingerprints check from Australia, but I did not need to provide a fingerprints check for the other countries I had resided in, just a normal name check was acceptable for the other countries.

Does the checklist tell you whether to provide originals or copies?

[ydrizzi 0]

Thanks Enigma and Lainie B for your input! Regarding the issue of the birth certificate, the paperwork says to gather all of my documents and send them to the office for review. It says that all documents must bear an "original signature" (emphasis theirs) and under the birth certificate checkmark it states "birth certificate for you and one photocopy for our files." It seemed to me after reading this a photocopy would suffice...it was only after I read some threads on this forum that I started doubting it.

As far as the fingerprint check, it sounds like my best option is to call the US consulate in NZ and just ask.

Edited March 10, 2012 by ydrizzi

[Travis and Meghan 24]

When i sent my P3 to the Sydney consulate i had to send them the original and a copy of my birth certificate. I got the original back at interview though, same with police check. it is different in every country/consulate though. No harm in emailing them and asking just to be sure.

[ydrizzi 0]

When i sent my P3 to the Sydney consulate i had to send them the original and a copy of my birth certificate. I got the original back at interview though, same with police check. it is different in every country/consulate though. No harm in emailing them and asking just to be sure.

Thanks Travis and Meghan. I'm going to try calling them today and if I can't get anyone on the phone I will email them. Better safe than sorry and if I don't get an answer directly from the source I'll just be a big ball of anxiety!

[ydrizzi 0]

Just spoke to the Consulate in NZ and figured I would post the information I was told in case it helps anyone else.

-As far as the birth certificate, they want the original plus one photocopy.

-Because my fiance resided in Australia for over one year they require a National Police Check and fingerprint check.

At least now I know. Kind of annoying that they need to do a fingerprint check as well as it is much more expensive and takes longer, but oh well.