Civil Surgeon Experience

[Ladylethal 12]

So last week I called the only two civil surgeons in my area of Puerto Rico and one said I'd have to get a new exam no matter what and the other said "Fine, 15 bucks and we'll fill out the form". So cool, I thought, I'll go to this one. A couple of days later I called again to make sure and also to see if I had to schedule or not. This time they said "Just come by, and it's 10 bucks". So ok, I was even happier.

Today I go there and at first the attendant kept saying I needed a new exam. So I explained to her my situation and that I didn't need one, so she said "Ok, I'll check with the doctor". Then this nurse comes to me, gets my records and passes it on to a new sheet of paper and gets the doctor to sign it, then they sealed it and said "20 bucks".

Despite the price misinformation I'm obviously still very happy that I only had to pay 20 bucks and no new exam was needed but I do have a couple of questions.

Is this record supposed to be sealed?

And, they did give me a copy and I found it strange that the header of the record it says "Supplemental Form to OF-157" and not I-693A like everyone calls it. Is this the right one? It's stil a vaccination record, and it's signed and done. But now I dunno if this could be a problem or not.

[Kath 0]

hi there

i googled the form for you..and sent you the links ..maybe you might have to ring USCIS and ask them if this form is still acceptable..

kath

[TracyLuis 0]

The Civil Surgeon's office sealed mine, too, so I believe this is correct procedure. As far as the OF-157, I'm not sure.

Sorry....

[Ladylethal 12]

It seems this is an old form. I'll have to call the USICS.

[1HappyGuy 45]

I'm not sure about the form change, but the envelope must remain sealed.

[Ladylethal 12]

Yeah, the sealed part I get but since I got the copy now I know I have the wrong form inside the envelope. Now, who in USCIS answer that type of question when we still haven't filed?

[kim&james 0]

Is there any way you can get back to the Doc office and get them to do the correct form?

[Ladylethal 12]

I could try, but if USCIS says it's fine to use the old form then I won't bother.

The form I have looks EXACTLY the same as the I-693A except it has the different name on top, and instead of saying Adjustment of Status Immunization it says Visa's Applicant Immunization. At the same time I checked USCIS's web site and under I-693 form it says previous editions accepted. So maybe it's no such a big deal. Why is there always a little something to bug us in this process?

[Ladylethal 12]

UPDATE: Called USCIS, and obviously, as it's common in the misinformation line, the guy had no information to give me about my problem, meaning, "I have no idea what you're talking about". ARGH!

[kim&james 0]

Well.... your doing all you can! I really hope you get this sorted out soon.

Im just wondering if you should also contact the ombudsmans office with a complaint that US civil surgeons are very widely corrupt. Perhaps we all should!

[Ladylethal 12]

It seems to be all over these issues with a simple document from a civil surgeon.

[rebeccajo 14]

Laura, I would run with what you have. Did they give you a receipt?

I sent Wes's I-693A unsealed. That's how it was given to us by the doctors office. I sent a copy of the receipt in case they questioned the authenticity of the document. The fact that the form was unsealed caused us no problem.

By sending the receipt you'd at least be showing you did what you were supposed to do. It's not our job to make sure the CS offices have up-to-date paperwork.

PS - I also included the DS-3025 - the vaccination sheet from his medical in the UK.

Edited December 19, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Ladylethal 12]

I have the DS-3025, but I had two vaccines still to be taken back then, which now show in this new one. The doctor sealed it, but the nurse made me a copy of the paper before sealing it, which is the only reason I know the form inside the sealed envelope is not a I-693A, but this old form. I guess I'll just send this in, 'cus you are right that it's not my fault that the doctor has old forms, as it's USCIS's job to send in new forms for the civil surgeons. I guess it's just 'cus the number of people going through Puerto Rico is so small this doctor must almost never see anyone actually going in for a medical. I didn't even see the doctor, but I carefully explained to the secretary and the nurse I was here on a K1 and told them I need form I-693A.