Original Birth certificate

[Lovemad 7]

Hi everyone,

I have a copy of my original birth and marriage certificates and I am curious as to whether I would be likely to get them back after my visa interview, if I sent them to the NVC as part of my IV package? Also I am correct in saying that certified copies are not the same as notarized copies of my birth and marriage certificates would not be the same as a certified copies (certified=duplicate?)? There has been a somewhat lengthy delay in getting my documents together to send in the IV package, due to personal circumstances, and I obviously want to mail my documents before my IV bill would need to be repaid. I was therefore thinking that I would send the original documents, if I would get them back at interview, so that I do not need to wait for certified ones. Please let me know what your thoughts are on this. Thanks

[GlobeHopperMama 95]

You SHOULD get them back at the interview. Most people do. But with immigration, things sometimes get lost, misplaced, etc. And you are correct that a certified copy needs to bear the seal and authentications of the original issuer, a photocopy that has been notarized with some kind of statement is not the same thing and not acceptable as a "certified copy" by immigration. I would send the originals that you have and then work to obtain new certified copies in the mean time, especially as it's usually recommended to bring extra original/certified copies of everything to the visa interview.

[Lovemad 7]

You SHOULD get them back at the interview. Most people do. But with immigration, things sometimes get lost, misplaced, etc. And you are correct that a certified copy needs to bear the seal and authentications of the original issuer, a photocopy that has been notarized with some kind of statement is not the same thing and not acceptable as a "certified copy" by immigration. I would send the originals that you have and then work to obtain new certified copies in the mean time, especially as it's usually recommended to bring extra original/certified copies of everything to the visa interview.

Thanks very much GlobeHopperMama, I think I will do just that send the originals, make copies and request certified copies and hope and pray that I get my originals back. All the best with your case!