Originals or photocopies for i-130 from abroad

[Hans Martin 2]

Hi!

 

Does anyone know if originals are required for document such as marriage certificate when applying from abroad? 

We are filing from Norway...

 

I have certified copies, but I would rather save them for the NVC application, since I heard that one requires certified copies... right?

Edited February 7, 2017 by Hans Martin

[A'n'L 735]

Copies are good unless originals are specifically asked for.

[Hans Martin 2]

5 minutes ago, A'n'L said:

Copies are good unless originals are specifically asked for.

Great! Thanks  So if I scan the original at home, that will be sufficient? Or are you saying a certified copy with a stamp?

[A'n'L 735]

No, photocopies should be fine for the petition phase.

[Hans Martin 2]

 

5 hours ago, A'n'L said:

No, photocopies should be fine for the petition phase.

 

Good! Thanks

[Renew17 4]

I went to the courthouse (tinghuset), and got them to certify the copies.

[Hans Martin 2]

40 minutes ago, ny2017 said:

I went to the courthouse (tinghuset), and got them to certify the copies.

EY! Norwegians... Was that for the NVC part or for the initial i-130 application?

[Renew17 4]

For me, that was for the I-130 part. Please, don´t do the mistake I did - thought it was not important to translate all Norwegian documents. Received RFE that delayed the process 3 months. I have yet to submit documents for the ds 260.

[Hans Martin 2]

11 hours ago, ny2017 said:

For me, that was for the I-130 part. Please, don´t do the mistake I did - thought it was not important to translate all Norwegian documents. Received RFE that delayed the process 3 months. I have yet to submit documents for the ds 260.

Ahhh.... Sorry to hear that!! May I ask what kind of Norwegian documents you sent them for the i-130? 

Was it like statements from the bank, marriage certificate or something like that?

 

We got married in America so there's not much "Norwegian" documents that I need to send in. Just waiting to get

her added to our house loan/mortgage her in Norway as proof of marriage and cohabitation. 

 

What kind of documents did you send in? 

 

 

[Renew17 4]

I am IR-5, so a little different. Submitted a copy of my daughters birth certificate, but later received RFE to send original. Then again another RFE (why did they not send ALL RFE at once?) for translation of my daughter´s name change document. Sent copy of name change documents for both me and my daughter, and only sent one translation, thinking they were alike except the name. No other documents.

[Hans Martin 2]

17 hours ago, ny2017 said:

I am IR-5, so a little different. Submitted a copy of my daughters birth certificate, but later received RFE to send original. Then again another RFE (why did they not send ALL RFE at once?) for translation of my daughter´s name change document. Sent copy of name change documents for both me and my daughter, and only sent one translation, thinking they were alike except the name. No other documents.

So, it seems like they are more strict with "foreign" documents, like Norwegian ones, compared to American documents. Did you have any problems with submitting copies of your American documents, or just the Norwegian part?

[Renew17 4]

Gave copy of American birth certificate - was asked to send in the original.