Original Civil Documents For NVC - IV STAGE

[Serpent Dragon ZX 6]

I just got the e-mail to pay the IV Fees for the last stages of my wife's Visa process... We have been preparing everything ahead of time, to get this done quickly. I paid it, and just waiting to have the payment clear so we fill out her Visa application and send in her civil documents. I had called NVC 2 weeks prior to ask what exactly is needed, since they did away with the whole packet 3 and 4 steps. The first time, they told me copies, and scans were absolutely fine since the original would be brought to my wife's interview, but this last time, I was told, only originals along with an extra copy will be accepted then she would need an additional copy of each to bring to her interview. Needless to say, my wife isn't exactly excited about this, since it took a month to get the Police Clearance, and she only has ONE original Birth Certificate which is as old as her and not in the greatest of shape. Still whole and intact, but slightly faded and fragile. We absolutely do NOT want to chance sending the original. She wants to keep safe in her plastic protector, in her possession. My wife said something about making copies of her police clearance and birth certificate, and getting them stamped at the embassy to prove a real copy... But when I tried to find answers about this, NVC usually declines them, but then when submitted again for a second time they accept it for some reason. Mixed answers about this. But would this be accepted over the original? After the multiple mistakes and mishaps due to both USCIS and NVC we are extremely hesitant. Thanks guys!

[NikLR 13,227]

The NVC accepts originals or certified copies. Certified copies are copies from the original issuer. You will have to send the original PC. But she can find out if she can get a certified copy of her birth certificate. You may get better answers on how she can go about doing this in your regional forum or from the NVC website reciprocity table.

[Ning 619]

I just got the e-mail to pay the IV Fees for the last stages of my wife's Visa process... We have been preparing everything ahead of time, to get this done quickly. I paid it, and just waiting to have the payment clear so we fill out her Visa application and send in her civil documents. I had called NVC 2 weeks prior to ask what exactly is needed, since they did away with the whole packet 3 and 4 steps. The first time, they told me copies, and scans were absolutely fine since the original would be brought to my wife's interview, but this last time, I was told, only originals along with an extra copy will be accepted then she would need an additional copy of each to bring to her interview. Needless to say, my wife isn't exactly excited about this, since it took a month to get the Police Clearance, and she only has ONE original Birth Certificate which is as old as her and not in the greatest of shape. Still whole and intact, but slightly faded and fragile. We absolutely do NOT want to chance sending the original. She wants to keep safe in her plastic protector, in her possession. My wife said something about making copies of her police clearance and birth certificate, and getting them stamped at the embassy to prove a real copy... But when I tried to find answers about this, NVC usually declines them, but then when submitted again for a second time they accept it for some reason. Mixed answers about this. But would this be accepted over the original? After the multiple mistakes and mishaps due to both USCIS and NVC we are extremely hesitant. Thanks guys!

As far as I know the embassy doesn't stamp docs at any time. They expect to see original docs. She cant hand carry those to the interview but should notify them she will do so.

I can tell her from experience she will need several certified copies of her B C to use later in the remainder of the process. Its very difficult to obtain these from the USA. She should also have several copies translated to English. Certification of those is the addition of a simple statement at the bottom of the doc indicating the translator is competent in both languages.

Hopefully Karee will chime in here because he knows a lot about this subject too.

[Karee 4,190]

I just got the e-mail to pay the IV Fees for the last stages of my wife's Visa process... We have been preparing everything ahead of time, to get this done quickly. I paid it, and just waiting to have the payment clear so we fill out her Visa application and send in her civil documents. I had called NVC 2 weeks prior to ask what exactly is needed, since they did away with the whole packet 3 and 4 steps. The first time, they told me copies, and scans were absolutely fine since the original would be brought to my wife's interview, but this last time, I was told, only originals along with an extra copy will be accepted then she would need an additional copy of each to bring to her interview. Needless to say, my wife isn't exactly excited about this, since it took a month to get the Police Clearance, and she only has ONE original Birth Certificate which is as old as her and not in the greatest of shape. Still whole and intact, but slightly faded and fragile. We absolutely do NOT want to chance sending the original. She wants to keep safe in her plastic protector, in her possession. My wife said something about making copies of her police clearance and birth certificate, and getting them stamped at the embassy to prove a real copy... But when I tried to find answers about this, NVC usually declines them, but then when submitted again for a second time they accept it for some reason. Mixed answers about this. But would this be accepted over the original? After the multiple mistakes and mishaps due to both USCIS and NVC we are extremely hesitant. Thanks guys!

Unfortunately NVC requires originals of marriage certificate (with translation), birth certificate (with translation), and police report (no translation required, it's already in English). They'll send these to Bangkok after the NVC case is complete and your wife will get them back at the interview, although they'll have a couple holes punched in them at the top. I wasn't too happy about this either, but it was the requirement.

[Serpent Dragon ZX 6]

According to NVC, they were telling me NOT to submit any translation of anything. They need everything in her native language only, or as it was originally issued. As for the other info I had received, it was all just a few months old. My wife was telling me that certified copies get a stamp, that is only good for a month or something but takes like 3 days to receive. I can't remember where she said she gets it, but the place of origin for her birth certificate, will NOT issue her another unless she claims it was lost, or damaged beyond use and even if she was to get another, it takes almost a month. Kinda like how you can't have 2 copies of your driver's license... That's how she had it explained to her. I really don't see why it's so difficult, since here in the US, I can go to town hall vital records, and have 10 certified copies made for no reason.

As for what NVC told me, they want originals of everything, along with a copy also. The original gets mailed back to the address on file for the agent when the case is complete, NOT handed back during the interview. But again, I get mixed answers. Very annoying since we really want to nail down what we need to send in a few days. Getting stuff officially stamped takes a few days, and costs money... Ugh...

[Karee 4,190]

According to NVC, they were telling me NOT to submit any translation of anything. They need everything in her native language only, or as it was originally issued. As for the other info I had received, it was all just a few months old. My wife was telling me that certified copies get a stamp, that is only good for a month or something but takes like 3 days to receive. I can't remember where she said she gets it, but the place of origin for her birth certificate, will NOT issue her another unless she claims it was lost, or damaged beyond use and even if she was to get another, it takes almost a month. Kinda like how you can't have 2 copies of your driver's license... That's how she had it explained to her. I really don't see why it's so difficult, since here in the US, I can go to town hall vital records, and have 10 certified copies made for no reason.

As for what NVC told me, they want originals of everything, along with a copy also. The original gets mailed back to the address on file for the agent when the case is complete, NOT handed back during the interview. But again, I get mixed answers. Very annoying since we really want to nail down what we need to send in a few days. Getting stuff officially stamped takes a few days, and costs money... Ugh...

I doubt they have many folks that can read Thai in Portsmouth, NH (where NVC is located) Maybe they do. I've never heard of a stamp that is only good for a month. The document is either certified or it isn't. I know that the police report is only valid for 6 months or a year. (I forgot which one) That must be something new about sending the documents back to the agent, because they definitely didn't do that in 2009. I'm glad they didn't because I hired a useless lawyer and he was my agent.

[NikLR 13,227]

the originals are handed back on interview day or accompany the visa package.

[pushbrk 12,882]

Unfortunately NVC requires originals of marriage certificate (with translation), birth certificate (with translation), and police report (no translation required, it's already in English). They'll send these to Bangkok after the NVC case is complete and your wife will get them back at the interview, although they'll have a couple holes punched in them at the top. I wasn't too happy about this either, but it was the requirement.

Incorrect as to translations. For example a person born in France and interviewing in Paris would submit a Certified Copy of their French birth certificate with no translation but if a person born in Germany was interviewing in Paris, they would submit the German Certificate with Certified Translation.

The OP, needs to order a Certified Copy of their birth certificate directly from the applicable government agency that has the original on file. Chances are the fragile old document spoken of is really only a souvenir that wouldn't work anyway. Individuals do not generally possess the original of any government issued birth certificate but they often have souvenir originals from hospitals.