NVC wants original docs- Is this normal?

[viv85e 3]

Just heard from the NVC that our case is on hold because they require original birth cert. and marriage cert. We only sent certified copies of those because we are mailing all the way from Romania and it felt safer to send copies.

Is this standard practice to require the originals? This really took me by surprise, we tried so hard to make sure everything was done right.

When do you get them back?

So frustrated that this is putting our case on hold plus it is the weekend so I can't call them Any help welcome.

-Viv

[Anh map 2,098]

By certified copies, what do you mean? Are these documents stamped by the issuing authority, or photocopies of those documents that have been "certified" by another party?

What exactly did the notice from NVC say?

[Louza 10]

Yes this is the standard practice & you should get all your original documents at the beneficiary's interview.

[Anh map 2,098]

Yes this is the standard practice & you should get all your original documents at the beneficiary's interview.

Documents submitted are a part of the file. Do not expect to have any returned to you. That is why it is customary to submit copies (unless originals are required) and have originals available for inspection at the interview.

[Que Saudade 284]

Yes this is the standard practice & you should get all your original documents at the beneficiary's interview.

No it is not standard practice to send in "original" documents. They can be lost, damaged etc... in transit. It would be safer to say that it is standard practice to send in a certified copy, either through the issuing officials with a stamp, raised seal, and/or signatures... or an actual copy of the original document that is then certified that it is a copy of the original document. One should always be prepared to show original documents at the interview should they ask.

Simple photocopies of original documents do not suffice.

[mobob 0]

Sending the original documents is standard practice, however, some FSU countries do not allow sending official documents in the mail. Be careful. And, some FSU countries ONLY issue ONE original certificate - marriage, birth, name change, etc, unlike the USA which will issue another that is good as the original. Likewise, NVC did not accept our notarized copy of our marriage certificate, so my wife went back to RAGS and got a 'REISSUE' of the certificate and mailed it to NVC. She also got 'REISSUE' on birth certificates. If the registration office in your country will do it, get the 'REISSUE' or whatever they call it, send those to NVC and keep your originals. Take the originals to the interview. Udachi.

[Que Saudade 284]

mobob, please show where on the I-130 it states to send in original marriage certificate.

On the I-130 instructions under the "What documents do you need to prove family relationship" section; instruction #1-A clearly states that to send in a copy of your marriage certificate.

[viv85e 3]

Wow, absolutely awesome to see everyone chipping in their input!

@ANH +@QueS. We sent officially translated and notarized copies (not photocopies and also not copies from the issuing institution as it is not possible to do so in Romania)

@Louza I'm tempted to just send the originals w/DHL guaranteed delivery and hope for the best but it is a little scary.

@mobob Thank you so much for your suggestion/help. I think your country and Romania have a similar system so it helps to know how you handled it. We will be going to the issuing institutions and trying to get the docs 'reissued'.

[Que Saudade 284]

Wow, absolutely awesome to see everyone chipping in their input!

@ANH +@QueS. We sent officially translated and notarized copies (not photocopies and also not copies from the issuing institution as it is not possible to do so in Romania)

Just a thought, did you send in the un-translated version as well as the translated version?

[viv85e 3]

Just a thought, did you send in the un-translated version as well as the translated version?

Yup, sent both.

[Jann & tom 1]

hi guys:) we are on the cr-1 visa.yes it is standard process.. we submitted all the originals to the nvc birth certificate, marriage certificate..best regards..

Edited August 18, 2012 by !

[jkelly07 120]

if they ask you for the originals send it to them ,when your file is complete and your file is sent to the consulate for the interviewask the io officer for your documents back he should make copies for himself, just in cast he won't give you your doctuments back ask to speak to a superviser,if not the you need to file G-884 return of original documents form,and thats a pain in the butt you need to get it notorized. good luck

[pushbrk 12,889]

No it is not standard practice to send in "original" documents. They can be lost, damaged etc... in transit. It would be safer to say that it is standard practice to send in a certified copy, either through the issuing officials with a stamp, raised seal, and/or signatures... or an actual copy of the original document that is then certified that it is a copy of the original document. One should always be prepared to show original documents at the interview should they ask.

Simple photocopies of original documents do not suffice.

At the NVC stage, you definitely send original certified copies of documents. For this kind of document the "original" is usually held at a government office, so only a Certified Copy is available. China is an exception where the original Notarial Translations of documents are what is sent.

Just heard from the NVC that our case is on hold because they require original birth cert. and marriage cert. We only sent certified copies of those because we are mailing all the way from Romania and it felt safer to send copies.

Is this standard practice to require the originals? This really took me by surprise, we tried so hard to make sure everything was done right.

When do you get them back?

So frustrated that this is putting our case on hold plus it is the weekend so I can't call them Any help welcome.

-Viv

Exactly what do you mean by certified copy? In this case a certified copy is the original document you would obtain from the government agency that holds the original. You send an "original" certified copy, not a photocopy of the certified copy.

[Louza 10]

Documents submitted are a part of the file. Do not expect to have any returned to you. That is why it is customary to submit copies (unless originals are required) and have originals available for inspection at the interview.

No it is not standard practice to send in "original" documents. They can be lost, damaged etc... in transit. It would be safer to say that it is standard practice to send in a certified copy, either through the issuing officials with a stamp, raised seal, and/or signatures... or an actual copy of the original document that is then certified that it is a copy of the original document. One should always be prepared to show original documents at the interview should they ask.Simple photocopies of original documents do not suffice.

Well my husband's attorney told him to have all of my original certificates available for the NVC stage & that they will be returned to me at my interview, so I safely assumed that was the standard practice. I apologize for my earlier post OP, please disregard it.

Edited August 18, 2012 by Louza

[Louza 10]

@Louza I'm tempted to just send the originals w/DHL guaranteed delivery and hope for the best but it is a little scary.

It is scary. If you know someone traveling to the USA I think it's better to just give them the package you want to send to NVC so that they can mail it for you (from the US). I did that several times because I noticed with DHL my package would always be stuck at security checks meaning it took longer to deliver.

Good luck to you