Original documents not returned (split topic)

[silverjetplane 34]

I don't want to resurrect an old thread, but we had the same experience at the Santiago Consulate - everything I've read seems to indicate that the originals would be returned but that wasn't the case. We included photocopies of all the originals plus copies of the official translations. After asking a few times for your marriage certificate, we finally got that back (it was our only copy) and we lost the birth certificate, entry of birth (long-form birth certificate) and the police record. It wasn't all that important, but we really wanted the official translations back which cost quite a lot to get.

In any case, we'll have to get more copies and pay for more translations I guess. I tried emailing the embassy but their response was that these documents are "sensitive documents for identification" and therefore cannot be returned. Boo.

Just an FYI to anyone searching!

[dnp2014 44]

I don't want to resurrect an old thread, but we had the same experience at the Santiago Consulate - everything I've read seems to indicate that the originals would be returned but that wasn't the case. We included photocopies of all the originals plus copies of the official translations. After asking a few times for your marriage certificate, we finally got that back (it was our only copy) and we lost the birth certificate, entry of birth (long-form birth certificate) and the police record. It wasn't all that important, but we really wanted the official translations back which cost quite a lot to get.

In any case, we'll have to get more copies and pay for more translations I guess. I tried emailing the embassy but their response was that these documents are "sensitive documents for identification" and therefore cannot be returned. Boo.

Just an FYI to anyone searching!

I believe it depends on the consulate and each case... for us they gave every thing back except PCC...

[silverjetplane 34]

As an update, I communicated with the embassy who again said that they couldn't return our originals/certified copies because they were important. I quoted the US Department of State website (http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/immigrant-process/interview/applicant_interview.html) which says that: "Your original documents will be returned to you when the interview has been completed. The photocopies will be kept."

They said they could return the expensive translations to us with the passport and other documents and then after I accepted that they emailed me again and told me that they would also return the originals/certified documents. They just advised us to have those available at POE in case they are needed. But they copies we sent will remain in the total immigration packet.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Posts split into separate thread.