Certified or normal copies of certificates

[S-C 21]

Hello All,

I have a quick question.

When you send off the I-129F with the supporting documents, is it required to have certified copies of birth certificates and divorce certificates, or are normal copies ok?

I can't find anywhere that it is specified that certified copies are required. However we want to make sure that the packet we send is perfect the first time.

Cheers!

[clairegie 265]

All we sent were photocopies, didn't have any problems. The originals are more important during the interview instead. The USCIS site says submit copies unless asked for originals, so yeah, copies are fine.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=880264337c77e210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

The only exception (on the VJ guide that we followed religiously) is for criminal conviction records, they need to be certified copies:

In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide#proof

[S-C 21]

Thank you so much! That makes it much easier!

[clairegie 265]

You're welcome! Goodluck and welcome to the visa journey

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hello All,

I have a quick question.

When you send off the I-129F with the supporting documents, is it required to have certified copies of birth certificates and divorce certificates, or are normal copies ok?

I can't find anywhere that it is specified that certified copies are required. However we want to make sure that the packet we send is perfect the first time.

Cheers!

You can use photocopies of the certified document for all mailed submissions from K1 to citizenship. At the London interview, they will look at the beneficiary's certified documents (usually referred to as originals) that are hand carried to the interview, and then file a photocopy brought with the original to the Interview. Edited September 26, 2013 by Nich-Nick