Interview for k1 -- do I need an original copy of petitioner's birth certificate?

[TimonLovesSkylour 7]

Hey everyone,

 

So, something I'm a little confused about:

 

Please have a look at this document: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/iv-dv-supplemental/MTL-Montreal.pdf -- on page 4, the Pre-Interview Checklist, where it says:

 

"Your original birth certificate and that of your petitioner if applicable, English translation, and a photocopy"

 

Now, I've not run across anything else that says that I need an original copy of my fiancée's (she is the petitioner) birth certificate. But it does say, "if applicable" -- how do I know if that's applicable to our case or not?

 

If it matters, I found this document by googling it, not by being directed there by any emails I got from the consulate.

 

(I'm guessing that the reason things are different is because the pdf I linked to above is very general and is meant to cover a range of different visa cases, as you can tell from how it talks about Diversity Visas, and other stuff)

 

When I look at the Packet 4 instructions for Immigrant Visa and K1 Fiancé(e) applicants, here: https://ca.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/03/Packet4-MTL.pdf and go to page 7, the K1 Fiancé(e) interview checklist, there's no specific mention of needing the US petitioner's birth certificate. However, if you look at the letter o. entry, it does say "Copy of the U.S. petitioner status in the USA" -- does this refer to having a copy of the US petitioner's birth certificate? (it would be a birth certificate in our case, since my fiancée is a natural born US citizen.) Are there any other documents I need?

 

Also, in my packet 3 checklist I submitted to the consulate, I don't see any reference to either an original birth certificate for the US petitioner, or anything about a copy of the U.S. petitioner status in the USA. (Maybe this is because it would already be included in the i-129F package?)

 

Just a little confused about all of this conflicting information...

 

Thanks for reading all this!

Edited September 30, 2018 by TimonLovesSkylour

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Never heard of anyone taking it in as a requirement. The initial I-129f petition sent to USCIS had either the petitioners birth certificate or copy of US passport (showing citizenship essentially) so wouldn't see why they would need it again at the embassy. 

[TimonLovesSkylour 7]

13 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

Never heard of anyone taking it in as a requirement. The initial I-129f petition sent to USCIS had either the petitioners birth certificate or copy of US passport (showing citizenship essentially) so wouldn't see why they would need it again at the embassy. 

Okay, cool, thank you!

 

Glad to hear that someone else is looking at it and having the same thought I had about it.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

the checklist u recieve will say documents needed

and yes,  it is probably more country dependent

Also, when a person has naturalized here and now is bringing in a financee or wife, they may want to see original birth certificate from his/her country

[carmel34 3,634]

I've seen many VJ members say on various threads here that it is a good idea to take originals of all documents previously submitted at any point in the process, just in case the CO asks to see them at the interview.  They rarely ask to see any documents other than those mentioned in the interview instructions, but sometimes they do.  It just depends on your individual level of risk aversion.  I am planning on taking everything just in case they ask to see something.

[ITMFA 241]

I had my fiancé's original birth certificate with me because he visited just a few weeks before my interview, and made a copy as well. When they asked for my original birth certificate at the interview I asked if they wanted his too, and she said "oh I'll take a copy of that if you have one." I think if I hadn't mentioned it she wouldn't have asked. Maybe get your fiance to scan it to you so you have it for reference if they ask? 

[TimonLovesSkylour 7]

On 10/1/2018 at 1:21 AM, ITMFA said:

I had my fiancé's original birth certificate with me because he visited just a few weeks before my interview, and made a copy as well. When they asked for my original birth certificate at the interview I asked if they wanted his too, and she said "oh I'll take a copy of that if you have one." I think if I hadn't mentioned it she wouldn't have asked. Maybe get your fiance to scan it to you so you have it for reference if they ask? 

Thank you for the suggestion -- fortunately I've already got a copy as it was part of our I-129F package and she has sent me all of the digital files from that already to help in creating a copy of the package. Since I'm going to bring a copy of the I-129F package with me, I'll be sure to print it off as part of that.

[NikLR 13,227]

Its not needed at interview.  Nor is a copy. You would need an original divorce decree however.  But in the case of a K1, it's not applicable.

As for evidence of domicile, a copy of the petitioners drivers license and pay stubs work just fine.  

[TimonLovesSkylour 7]

On 10/3/2018 at 7:12 AM, NikLR said:

Its not needed at interview.  Nor is a copy. You would need an original divorce decree however.  But in the case of a K1, it's not applicable.

As for evidence of domicile, a copy of the petitioners drivers license and pay stubs work just fine.  

Thank you for the additional tips on this!