(Original/certified) civil documents not returned at Visa interview

[JA_Martinez 81]

Not sure that I've seen this posted anywhere on here, but I just wanted to make sure you all know that this happened with us.

I warned my husband to be certain to ask for our civil documents back at his visa interview appt, which he did. The interviewer told him she would send them back with his passport/visa. However no civil documents were included/returned.

After posting an inquiry with the Tokyo Embassy to find our documents, they returned this message to us.....

"All documents you submitted are in the sealed envelope you received with your passport. Please ask CBP officer if they can be returned to you at the time of entry to the United States"

Bummer....of course with this we have to (trust) that they are correct and hope that they are in the sealed packet. Because of this little bump in the road, we are going to have to replace the one of our legal documents, totally get a new certificate, have it translated and notarized again, just in case the documents really aren't in the packet. Pretty frustrating.

Just wanted you all to know there is this potential, so make sure you have additional certified copies for yourself to keep when you send them off with your DS-260 process. My guess is if this is a new procedure in some places, you may not get these documents back again.....altho I can't even imagine how this can be correct. Just be certain you have a way to recover your certified documents after your interview.

[etrangais 954]

In Casablanca Morocco, the US consulate only returns the original marriage certificate. nothing else.

[Sugareyes 0]

During my interview, they returned only my police certificate. I thought id have the other docs when the interview concluded but i didnt get any. They visa packet i got earlier has EVERYTHING (forms, certificates, proofs) on my case, ill try to ask for the original documents and bring copies too if ever theyll give the originals to me at POE.

[apple21 953]

It's highly unlikely that the embassy or CBP will return the original civil documents to you because everything that's in the visa packet will be filed in USCIS/DHS storage someplace.

So before flying to the US make sure you have fresh original copies of your docs like birth certificate, marriage certificate etc just to be sure.

In my experience, my SS card didn't automatically come thru mail although I answered such on the DS230/DS260 so I had to personally go to the SSA office to apply. The SS officer asked to see my original NSO BC and NSO MC, although they didn't take it, they made photocopies of it.

[JA_Martinez 81]

We've had to go to the extent of going to the local USCIS office (though Infopass appt). The USICS officer made a formal online request for our original file to be pulled from archives and sent directly to the Orlando office for them to retrieve our original documents (with accompanying form G884). That has not been coming up on 4wks....he told us 2wks. it's so frustrating that there's no way to get hold of anyone by phone ever to help me with this. This has by far been the hardest process of all.