Question for Chennai-born IV applicants

[kb9 6]

Hello,

I mailed the DS-230 + civil documents to NVC 2 weeks ago for my CR1 visa. This morning, I received an email from NVC stating "The birth certificate document you submitted is not an original or certified copy of an original issued by the appropriate government authority. The document must be an original, or a certified copy of the original, bearing the original seal or stamp from the issuing authority."

Is this what's considered an RFE?

Those of you who were born in Chennai know that the Chennai Corporation only issues a printout of their birth records. They don't add a seal to it because they say the birth can be verified by searching for the record number on their website. It can indeed be verified manually. But how can I explain this to NVC and have them run the check themselves?

From past posts on VJ, I know other Chennai-born members faced the same issue. But I'm unable to find out the best resolution. Can I get your help please?

I have attached a "sanitized" version of the online birth certificate which I submitted, for your reference.

[listeria 14]

I am not from Chennai but learned that BC are issued thro Chennai's Corporation website. For my spouse, we went to local registrar's office to get BC.

NVC accepts either Originals or certified copies. My assumption is that you could visit your local respective office, and ask them to certify that this is the copy of original certificate. It is similar to getting an attestation with relevant govt. official sign and seal. If they don't do that, then you might ask for a letter stating that one downloaded from website is original. Don't forget to show the letter you received from NVC.

Hello,

I mailed the DS-230 + civil documents to NVC 2 weeks ago for my CR1 visa. This morning, I received an email from NVC stating "The birth certificate document you submitted is not an original or certified copy of an original issued by the appropriate government authority. The document must be an original, or a certified copy of the original, bearing the original seal or stamp from the issuing authority."

Is this what's considered an RFE?

Those of you who were born in Chennai know that the Chennai Corporation only issues a printout of their birth records. They don't add a seal to it because they say the birth can be verified by searching for the record number on their website. It can indeed be verified manually. But how can I explain this to NVC and have them run the check themselves?

From past posts on VJ, I know other Chennai-born members faced the same issue. But I'm unable to find out the best resolution. Can I get your help please?

I have attached a "sanitized" version of the online birth certificate which I submitted, for your reference.

[shivani_raj 0]

Hi kb9,

Could you please let me know what steps you took to submit the online chennai birth certificate at the consulate ? did they accept it as is or did you have to get attestation ?

thanks

[kb9 6]

Hi kb9,

Could you please let me know what steps you took to submit the online chennai birth certificate at the consulate ? did they accept it as is or did you have to get attestation ?

thanks

Hi,

They did not accept the printout of the online birth certificate, so I got it attested from a government-registered medical officer in Chennai. Just make sure there's a seal and signature (to make it look official) and you should be all set.