Petitioner Birth Certificate -notarized or normal photocopy?

[Lands55 0]

Does the petitioner's copy of his birth certificate and/or copies of all passport pages need to be notarized/certified copies or can they be normal photocopies for the initial K1 petition package sent in with the I-129F

Birth certificate copy - notarized/certified or not?

All passport pages - notarized/certified or not?

Will we get an RFE if they are just normal copies?

[p1nkmamba 18]

Photocopies are fine. Don't waste your money on anything additional.I went to Office Max, put my birth certificate and passport on the copier, copied and put into the packet. They were color, but that's it.

[Lands55 0]

Thank you, so much!!

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Just regular copies, and you only need one or the other to prove US citizenship. No need for both.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Does the petitioner's copy of his birth certificate and/or copies of all passport pages need to be notarized/certified copies or can they be normal photocopies for the initial K1 petition package sent in with the I-129F

Birth certificate copy - notarized/certified or not?

All passport pages - notarized/certified or not?

Will we get an RFE if they are just normal copies?

Is notarization/certification mentioned in the I-129F instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf ?

[Lands55 0]

Is notarization/certification mentioned in the I-129F instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf ?

Dear Pitaya,

Someone already replied to me above with the answer and I already said thank you. Your reply is a little snarky.

I asked this question because, people seemed to have gotten RFE's for ridiculous reasons and in MY country any document you submit to the embassy, home affairs, or any other government institute requires copies of official documents to be notarized, certified and in some cases Apostilled.

Another country where I worked required all documents to be Apostilled so I really don't think it is such a sin for me to ask such a simple question on here.

Thank you very much for taking the time to send me the link after I already had the answer.

[Lands55 0]

Just regular copies, and you only need one or the other to prove US citizenship. No need for both.

Yup! We're only submitting one Just wanted to make sure the copies were correct. Thank you!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Dear Pitaya,

Someone already replied to me above with the answer and I already said thank you. Your reply is a little snarky.

I asked this question because, people seemed to have gotten RFE's for ridiculous reasons and in MY country any document you submit to the embassy, home affairs, or any other government institute requires copies of official documents to be notarized, certified and in some cases Apostilled.

Another country where I worked required all documents to be Apostilled so I really don't think it is such a sin for me to ask such a simple question on here.

Thank you very much for taking the time to send me the link after I already had the answer.

It is not a point of being "snarky." It is a point of reading the directions, in this case Item 5, page 4 of the official instructions: http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf .

What would a notary be notarizing on a birth certificate? Additionally, the use of copies is specifically mentioned in page 1 of the same instructions:

Copies. Unless specifically required that an original document be filed with an application or petition, a legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not required may remain a part of the record, and will not be automatically returned to you.

BTW, the penalties for submitting a false document are mentioned in Part 4, Signature of Petitioner, of the Form I-129F. I would suggest that the possible assessed penalties are more significant than a mere signature notarization.

There have been instances where folks have sent in their only original copy of some important document, only to later find out that they need it for later on in the process. Save your originals for the interview, the CO can and may ask for them for comparison at that time.

Good luck on your immigration journey.