London Embassy: Originals plus copies for certificates?

[wbeem 568]

We are still awaiting our NOA2. We filed August 2nd, so I'm trying to sort through paperwork and get it organized before we get to the faster paced stage of this process. I am still unclear about the original vs copies situation for certificates. Obviously I'm going to need my original divorce decree and birth certificates, Police Certificates, etc. and I have all of those. But we will also be needing some of those again for our marriage license, AOS and who knows what else down the line so I'd like them back. If I take originals plus certified copies to the interview, will they return the originals to me? Or do they copy and certify them there? I can't imagine that they retain all your originals and expect you not to get them back as these are documents you need at various stages during the course of life. Any input from experience would be appreciated.

[wbeem 568]

I've taken too long to be allowed to edit the above.

I have been through Nich-Nick's (excellent) guide again and found a link to the consulate website stating that certified copies will suffice. What constitutes a certified copy, by embassy standards? In other words, who can certify it? I work for a law firm and could have them done there, although I'd prefer to keep the office out of my personal affairs as much as possible, so alternatives would be preferred.

[ricnally 259]

There is only one "original" of each of these certificates and they are kept at the various offices that issued them. What you are referring to as your "originals" are actually certified copies (ceritfied by the offices that hold the original). When you submit them with you application, you send a plain old photocopy of your certifed copy. Then, you BRING the certified copy to the interview where they examine it (and possibly make another photocopy of it) and then they give it back to you.

[wbeem 568]

There is only one "original" of each of these certificates and they are kept at the various offices that issued them. What you are referring to as your "originals" are actually certified copies (ceritfied by the offices that hold the original). When you submit them with you application, you send a plain old photocopy of your certifed copy. Then, you BRING the certified copy to the interview where they examine it (and possibly make another photocopy of it) and then they give it back to you.

Yes, that's what I meant about the certified/originals. Thank you. That answers my question.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Good explanation by the Canadian. This is where the embassy says to bring photocopies http://london.usembassy.gov/application_documents.html

An original or certified copy are equal things. One or the other.

The photocopies of those were so they could see the original (or certified) then file the photocopy for the record. They handed back the originals at the end of the interview.

Several months ago or more, people started saying the embassy didn't take the photocopies from them, but they still gave back the originals. I encouraged somebody going to interview to ask why. The answer they got was "we don't do that anymore". So the website still says to bring photocopies, yet people have said they refuse them now. Maybe they scan them and are cutting down on paper clutter. Or they just tick a box that they were presented and they don't really need to review them again. The visa is kind of the end of a process with the Dept of State. AOS is like starting a brand new process with USCIS.

To clarify something you said earlier...does the embassy certify the copies there? No they can't.

An example-- a birth may be recorded and filed in a dusty old book in some courthouse. That is the original birth certificate and remains in the courthouse. If you need to prove your birth you get a photocopy of the document or even a printout from records they have computerized. Then the courthouse person will emboss, or stamp, or stick a seal on the copy and usually there are some words similar to "I certify that this is an exact copy of the record on file at Armadillo County, TX" and they sign and date it. It is thus "certified" because of the statement and signature. It's as legal as an original and is often called the original.

Something like your police certificate is an original. Your UK divorce decree is "certified" by that red stamp from the court.

Edited January 17, 2015 by Nich-Nick

[wbeem 568]

Thanks, Nich-Nick. Got it.

I know that there is only one actual original certificate, but when people ask you to provide 'the original' they are actually asking for an official copy, as opposed to a photocopy.

Yes, when I asked if they certify copies there, I should have asked whether they take the original, then make a copy and certify it themselves as a true copy of the 'original'. I then found the information via the link in your guide, but was too late to edit my first post. So if I take the originals for comparison and make copies of everything, they will take the photocopies I bring and return the originals? I just want to make sure that if there is anything I need to do that is going to take time, that it is done now while I wait, (instead of wishing this portion of my life away idly!) I know that once our petition is approved things are going to get really busy around here, as I have to reduce the contents of our house to 4 suitcases between two of us and really need to work right up to the end.

Thanks for your detailed response.

Edited January 18, 2015 by wbeem

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks, Nich-Nick. Got it.

I know that there is only one actual original certificate, but when people ask you to provide 'the original' they are actually asking for an official copy, as opposed to a photocopy.

Yes, when I asked if they certify copies there, I should have asked whether they take the original, then make a copy and certify it themselves as a true copy of the 'original'. I then found the information via the link in your guide, but was too late to edit my first post. So if I take the originals for comparison and make copies of everything, they will take the photocopies I bring and return the originals? I just want to make sure that if there is anything I need to do that is going to take time, that it is done now while I wait, (instead of wishing this portion of my life away idly!) I know that once our petition is approved things are going to get really busy around here, as I have to reduce the contents of our house to 4 suitcases between two of us and really need to work right up to the end.

Thanks for your detailed response.

A better word would be they verify the original. They can't certify. Only the place that keeps records can certify with an official stamp that it came from the official document records.

Yes 1000% they will give back your birth certificate and divorce decree. They will probably give back any photocopies of same. Seems like they do that now. I don't know about police certificate. They gave my husband's back but other people said they kept the original. You don't need it for AOS.

[wbeem 568]

Thanks. That's perfect. I'm not worried about the Police Certificate because after reading about another couple where the Medical office failed to give theirs back. I ordered an additional copy when I applied for mine, so there is a spare just in case.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Thanks. That's perfect. I'm not worried about the Police Certificate because after reading about another couple where the Medical office failed to give theirs back. I ordered an additional copy when I applied for mine, so there is a spare just in case.

Your safest option is to not get so flustered (like most) that you leave the medical or interview without the things you know are supposed to be handed to you. Pause, take a breath, and think about it before walking out of the building. You've done your research and know what to expect so don't go brain dead with nerves. . There is no rule that you can't go back to a chair in the waiting room to compose yourself and look through your papers.