Is petitioner's original birth certificate necessary for interview?

[CupcakeVN 0]

In this document:

photos.state.gov/libraries/vietnam/171343/PDF/APPOINTMENT%20PACKAGE%20FOR%20K%20VISA%20APPLICANTS.pdf

in the list of necessary documents to bring to an interview, one item says

9. Petitioner’s Birth certificate: Copy and original. In case you do not have the petitioner’s birth certificate, the officer will review the case and give further guidance at the interview.

I feel nervous about sending my original birth certificate to Vietnam, and I would prefer not to if it's not necessary. Any thoughts?

[EminTX 131]

My (now) husband had photocopies of the entire original packet and the response to the RFE in his hands in a notebook that he took with him.

I don't think he had any originals of my documents because he had the copies of every single thing submitted.

I haven't heard of this being an issue for anyone. If USCIS or the embassy loses a document, it could be a problem then, but I'd bet that is a rare situation. Usually, by the time you have gotten to the interview process, the USC's documents are all in order.

[Cathi 5,757]

Get a certified copy and send that

[EminTX 131]

Mimo, it may not be so easy to get that certified copy and get it all the way to the other country in time for the interview. For me, it is a hassle to get a certified copy--a 12 hour drive to get a full copy, otherwise, I can only get a short form here in my city. Apparently, it depends on your year of birth if this is acceptable or not--this is new in the past few years and I really don't get it. It was a PITA when I was applying for my passport.

Sending anything can take almost forever or, in many places, simply never arrive.

I'd bet that they have the interview in less than 4 weeks and the quoted line is off the appointment letter. The fact that it states, "If you do not have..." tells me that this is very, very common.

[CupcakeVN 0]

just to be clear: we don't actually have an interview yet, and haven't even received the second notice. I saw that document on another forum post (I can't post a link to it because I'm new). I'm just trying to be pro-active at this point and send what I can now :-)

[ScottThuy 140]

An official copy from the county you were born is sufficient.

[sweetapple 1]

My husband scanned the original and emailed me. I just made a colored-print and it was acceptable at the interview.

[ScottThuy 140]

My husband scanned the original and emailed me. I just made a colored-print and it was acceptable at the interview.

too high risk doing this since it is NOT what they require... an easy way to get a blue slip asking for the original or certified BC

[sweetapple 1]

too high risk doing this since it is NOT what they require... an easy way to get a blue slip asking for the original or certified BC

I did it and the Vietnamese staff who checked the documents before the interview didnt say anything about that. And my attorney said photocopy is ok, no need original.

[ScottThuy 140]

I did it and the Vietnamese staff who checked the documents before the interview didnt say anything about that. And my attorney said photocopy is ok, no need original.

You applied for a different visa

[sweetapple 1]

Same instructions for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa.

Edited December 19, 2012 by sweetapple

[sweetapple 1]

You applied for a different visa

I found that instruction under my visa category also.

[CupcakeVN 0]

Well, I ended up ordering a certified copy of my birth certificate, and I think I'll just send that. I'm too pessimistic to send my original though. The copy ended up costing about $30 with postage.

[dreamwarrior 0]

Do I need to give my wife a birth certificate (or affidavit of birth) if I wasn't born in the US? I have a copy of my certificate of naturalization (possibly can get the original too) and can get an affidavit of birth if required.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Well, I ended up ordering a certified copy of my birth certificate, and I think I'll just send that. I'm too pessimistic to send my original though. The copy ended up costing about $30 with postage.

Uhhh. You don't have the "original". The state keeps that. The only thing you can get is a certified copy of the original. A certified copy is a photostatic copy of the original document, usually produced from either digital or microfilm files, and printed on a parchment style sheet with a fancy border and a stamp from the custodian of records certifying that it's a copy of the original document. I'm willing to bet that the certified copy you receive looks identical to the "original" you think you currently have, though they might have changed the border style since yours was originally printed.