I am a little confused with the certified copy required by NVC vs. notarized copy in China. Why to submit to NVC

[movinghome 0]

I am a little confused with the certified copy required by NVC vs. notarized copy in China.

I am sponsoring my parents to immigrate to the US. I am in the electronic processing to submit their supporting documents.

They prepared their notarized birth and marriage certificate in China.

But according to the NVC requirements, it seems like notarized documents are not necessary.

NVC requires the copy of their birth and marriage certificate sealed by the Chinese property authority, with English translations signed by translator that state the translation is accurate and translator is competent to translate.

So if their case are processed by NVC, they don't need to submit notarized documents, only certified copy?

Can I be the translator or I need to find a translation agency to translate and certify the translation?

If their case are processed by the Guangzhou Consulate, they need to submit notarized documents.

Am I understanding this correctly?

[Darnell 8,478]

hang on a moment.

Guangzhou - right ?

Guangzhou IV Wants to see White Books - notarial translations of Chinese Documents.

with that said - what's what?

1. scanned pdf fie of said white book sent INTO NVC via email and

2. physical white book presented to Guangzhou IV on interview day.

if all you have is a chinese document without any english translation - that's not enough for NVC - NVC doc reqs are the same as Guangzhou IV - as NVC handles doc intake for Guangzhou and uses their requirements [i can understand this is misleading on the NVC website]

no white books? how to fix ? assuming you have the stuff in your hands - physical documents already -

have your parents get back to those same offices - get another set made. then get the white book made. then they walk into a copy shop and have a tech SCAN to 200 dpi pdf file - all pages of each white book.

Sure - it may mean a weeks delay - but best to have it done right , before you submit into NVC.

Edited June 10, 2014 by Darnell

[Darnell 8,478]

edited version:

hang on a moment.

Guangzhou - right ?

Guangzhou IV Wants to see White Books - notarial translations of Chinese Documents.

with that said - what's what?

1. scanned pdf fie of said white book sent INTO NVC via email and

2. physical white book presented to Guangzhou IV on interview day.

if all you have is a chinese document without any english translation - that's not enough for NVC - NVC doc reqs are the same as Guangzhou IV - as NVC handles doc intake for Guangzhou and uses their requirements [i can understand this is misleading on the NVC website]

no white books? how to fix ? assuming you have the stuff in your hands - physical documents already -

have your parents get back to those same offices - get another set made. then get the white book made. then they walk into a copy shop and have a tech SCAN to 200 dpi pdf file - all pages of each white book. Then have the tech EMAIL IT around - to your parents email address - a cousin's email address - YOUR email address. Leave those white books in China - they must present them (plus other stuff) on interview day in Guangzhou.

Sure - it may mean a weeks delay - but best to have it done right , before you submit into NVC.

[aaron2020 11,651]

I am a little confused with the certified copy required by NVC vs. notarized copy in China.

I am sponsoring my parents to immigrate to the US. I am in the electronic processing to submit their supporting documents.

They prepared their notarized birth and marriage certificate in China.

But according to the NVC requirements, it seems like notarized documents are not necessary.

NVC requires the copy of their birth and marriage certificate sealed by the Chinese property authority, with English translations signed by translator that state the translation is accurate and translator is competent to translate.

So if their case are processed by NVC, they don't need to submit notarized documents, only certified copy?

Can I be the translator or I need to find a translation agency to translate and certify the translation?

If their case are processed by the Guangzhou Consulate, they need to submit notarized documents.

Am I understanding this correctly?

There may be a difference in what is a certified copy and what is a notarized copy in the US versus China.

In US immigration, a certified copy is a copy of the original document from the government agency in charge of maintaining such records. So, a certified copy comes from the government office.

A notarized copy comes from a notary public. A notary public is not in charge of maintaining records.

The US will only accept certified copies. The US will no accept notarized copies.

The certified copies do not need to be sealed.

You can do the translations. You do not need an agency. Google "USCIS translation block."

[Darnell 8,478]

aaron - Guangzhou is a bit different - and NVC is handling the doc intake for Guangzhou...

[Pitaya 2,577]

Agree with Darnell, regarding the recommended documents and accepted formats at the US Consulate in Guangzhou. Actually, USCIS does accept Notarial Certificates, AKA "White Books", for birth and divorce (and likely other) certificates for people from the People's Republic of China. That is exactly what we submitted to the US Consulate Guangzhou (DOS) for the Fiancé(e) Visa (K1/K2), and to the NBC (USCIS) for our successful AOS processing almost two years ago.

I would suggest that the OP also consider having several extra "White Books" prepared at the same time while in China. It is likely easier to obtain them now, than later on when in the US.

Google <hukou> for more information.

Edited June 10, 2014 by A&B