Clarification on police certificate if lived in multiple countries

[hm139 55]

My husband is from Chile but lived in Australia for six months and in New Zealand for ten months. According to this website (https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/documents/Supporting_documents.html) he shouldn't need a police certificate from either of those countries since he lived there for less than 12 months. He just needs the one from his home country. How accurate is this? Since he did live in NZ for close to a year, is it likely that they will ask him for a police certificate from there anyway?

We're just trying to get all our ducks in a row.

[NikLR 13,227]

Anything less than 12 months does not need a police certificate for a CR1/IR1 visa. 

[hm139 55]

Thank you! I know that is what the website says. I am just worried because for example, on the I-130 checklist it doesn't say you need the beneficiary's birth certificate but on this forum I have seen people getting RFEs for that. So it's making me mistrust everything all the government websites say. And in theory, the consular officer can ask for any evidence they please, right?

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

i had to provide the birth certifcate and it had to be original but that is morocco

Hard to please my embassy

[NikLR 13,227]

18 minutes ago, adil-rafa said:

i had to provide the birth certifcate and it had to be original but that is morocco

Hard to please my embassy

Everyone has to provide an original birth certificate at embassy or consulate. 

[NikLR 13,227]

46 minutes ago, hm139 said:

Thank you! I know that is what the website says. I am just worried because for example, on the I-130 checklist it doesn't say you need the beneficiary's birth certificate but on this forum I have seen people getting RFEs for that. So it's making me mistrust everything all the government websites say. And in theory, the consular officer can ask for any evidence they please, right?

They could if they felt he was there 12 months and you cant prove otherwise.  Your choice to spend the time and money otherwise. 

[hm139 55]

Okay, that makes sense. New Zealand criminal records are free so we might as well pull it.

 

If someone else on here has lived in a country for nearly but not quite 12 months, I would like to know your experiences if you were requested to submit a police certificate for that country anyway even though they are not technically required.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

7 hours ago, hm139 said:

Okay, that makes sense. New Zealand criminal records are free so we might as well pull it.

 

If someone else on here has lived in a country for nearly but not quite 12 months, I would like to know your experiences if you were requested to submit a police certificate for that country anyway even though they are not technically required.

I know of a case, but DV not CR1, where the person lived in a country 9 or 10 months and had to produce a PCC. The CO had said it was needed because he’d been there longer than 6 months - which was technically incorrect but he had to get it. I can’t remember which consulate it was.

If it’s free and easy to get I’d do it, for peace of mind if nothing else. Enough to stress about with these interviews than adding another possible worry.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

13 hours ago, NikLR said:

Everyone has to provide an original birth certificate at embassy or consulate. 

i had to provide original to NVC and i had sent one in with the applicaition

all documents i sent with application were originals

[NikLR 13,227]

1 hour ago, adil-rafa said:

i had to provide original to NVC and i had sent one in with the applicaition

all documents i sent with application were originals

There is only one original.   The rest would be certified copies.  The the USCIS specifically request you send them an original or certified copy of the birth certificate if the beneficiary? Did the NVC? Or did they ask for a copy of it? 

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

nope , morocco will issue several originals in Rabat / only need the seal

and their birth certifaicate is only good for 90 days so, see, all countries are really different

and after several years i had to send to NY state for an  original as mine was weather beaten

to be origanl only needs a seal from county or state 

i have 2 for each my sons 

i keep

and other i gave to them

Edited November 12, 2017 by adil-rafa

[NikLR 13,227]

You're mistaking an original for a certified copy which is a copy issued by the original issuer.  There can only be ONE original document regardless of country.  

Regardless, unless requested specifically it's not required before interview. 

[hm139 55]

My question is not about birth certificates. My point was that sometimes they will say they don't require a document (in the case of birth certs, it's not required at I-130 and yet people get RFEs for it anyway; I'm not talking about NVC stage) and yet they request it anyway. That's why I am wondering if my husband should get his police certificates and it seems he should. 

Edited November 12, 2017 by hm139

[NikLR 13,227]

Personally I say no theyre not needed nor required.  I havent yet seen it requested for this visa type in 5 years. But...  If its easy and cheap, and you want to, do it. 

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

****** I know you are all trying to be helpful, but pleas stick to the OP's questions, thank you!  ******