IR-1 interview requirement for Marriage Certificate

[shira 4]

The VisaJourney guide for IR-1/CR-1 visa says about marriage certificates:

Pre-Interview Forms / Items:

Marriage certificate.

Interview Forms / Items:

Original or certified copy of the marriage certificate.

However, on the "Packet 3" instructions from the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou says:

MARITAL STATUS CERTIFICATES: The Consulate requires married persons to present a certified copy of their marriage certificate. Applicants who have married in the People’s Republic of China must have a marriage certificate issue by a local notary public office.

So my question is: Is it acceptable for my wife to bring our original marriage certificate to the interview (and will it be returned)? Or are both a certified copy AND the original required?

One other question: Since a Chinese marriage certificate is a "foreign language document," must a certified translation of the marriage certificate be provided? I already provided a certified translation when I submitted my I-130 petition.

[Ryan H 3,812]

The "packet 3" instructions you are reading is for K visas.

Since you will be submitting material to the NVC, I suggest you read this thread as it explains what that process entails.

[Sven Nancy 3]

You can send originals or certified copies with it. Yes, they do hand back the original documents when she goes to her interview. t is always good to keep a copy as well, and bring a copy with you to the interview. As for the foreign language documents, it does not hurt for you to call the National Visa Center or Embassy (which ever requires he form) to asked if it needs to be translated or not. Usually you do not need to translated it otherwise it will say it on the form. Again, NVC folks are pretty nice and will tell you yes or no.

[shira 4]

You can send originals or certified copies with it. Yes, they do hand back the original documents when she goes to her interview. t is always good to keep a copy as well, and bring a copy with you to the interview. As for the foreign language documents, it does not hurt for you to call the National Visa Center or Embassy (which ever requires he form) to asked if it needs to be translated or not. Usually you do not need to translated it otherwise it will say it on the form. Again, NVC folks are pretty nice and will tell you yes or no.

When you say a "copy," do you mean a non-certified copy or a certified copy? If you bring the original, is a non-certified copy sufficient?

I've been reading the VJ page on Electronic Processing, and I'm getting confused. What I'm understanding is that with EP, all of the requested documents get sent to the NVC electronically. If that's true, then is it correct to conclude that one brings only the originals to the interview? Or does the Embassy separately want paper documents, even though EP is being used?

As I said, I'm getting confused. I don't see anywhere where the EP process - and how it "integrates" with the pre-interview/interview process - is fully explained.

Edited November 14, 2012 by shira

[Darnell 8,478]

pre-interview process -

why, that's NVC Document Intake !

The I-130 got approved at USCIS, the petition was approved, so NOW the foreign spouse is allowed to apply for a visa.

If she'd like a visa, well, many things happen at NVC for document intake and the paying of fees.

This 'show stuff to the Consulate' is a bit off, it seems that you've mixed things up a bit.

In General,

all civil docs go to NVC with the DS-230, not need to show them again on interview day.

Specifically for Electronic Processing of the DS-230 at NVC, for CHINA GZO Electronic Processing -

scans of the originals are required (only) , sent in via email,

and the originals are shown on document intake day or interview day at the IV unit in Guangzhou.

--

of course, if'n yer doing a DCF'd I-130, yer doing other stuff with the IV unit in Guangzhou, NVC isn't involved at all.

--

anywhere you read 'packet 3' ??? translate that into document intake with NVC, to NVC.

Good Luck !

Edited November 14, 2012 by Darnell