Bringing petitioners birth certificate, etc. to interview?

[JoeCanuk 3]

My packet 3 mentions nothing of a "spot check". It does, however, tell me what I need to bring. I will bring her PHOTOCOPY of a birth certificate, but even that is not listed as necessary. What should I believe? The K1 visa 'faq' on here...or my list of instructions? The United States government has gotten everything it needed from her when she filed. My packet mentions only her divorce certificate and the affidavit of support. I'm really getting tired of the contradictory advice/opinions I have been reading.

Packet will not mention a "spot check" but what people here are telling you is that you may be asked for something that is not listed in Packet 3. It happens. Read the forums. The consulate officer has a job to do and may require additional information to finish his/her job in a manner compatible with U.S. national security. Remember, we're in a post-9/11 world.

The K1 FAQ here is based upon past experiences. It's not for nothing. I would think that the majority of the time, you only need what's listed in packet 3/4. However, as people here are saying, don't be surprised if you're asked for more.

I personally think you should be fine with a photocopy of her birth certificate (or US passport) to prove she's able to petition you. HOWEVER, the officer has a right to ask for any originals that you submit as a copy.

Ok thanks. I think it's rather ridiculous of them to give me instructions, I follow them, and then they ####### on me for not having extras that I wasn't told to bring.

What happens if they want more that I don't have? I have to go back to Montreal?

Edited June 13, 2007 by JoeCanuk

[vikasp 0]

I would think these officers are reasonable people. If you follow the instructions and your case is straight forward, you have no worries. I have no idea what happens if they want something you don't have, but don't stress over it.

And I think this whole process is rather ridiculous Or at least, the delays are.

[Yodrak 7]

JoeCanuk,

There is a great deal of subjectivity and flexibility in the visa process. This can work for or against the applicant, and the applicant can take advantage of the subjectivity or they can fight it. But the bottom line is that it exists.

You have been advised, take the advice or leave it as you see fit. My final bit of advice is that if you show the antagonistic attitude with the interviewer that you have been showing here on VJ you risk doing yourself more harm than good. The visa officer has the authority to approve your visa or to deny it with the concurrance of their superior. Recognize that fact of life and conduct yourself accordingly for best result.

Yodrak

My packet 3 mentions nothing of a "spot check". It does, however, tell me what I need to bring. I will bring her PHOTOCOPY of a birth certificate, but even that is not listed as necessary. What should I believe? The K1 visa 'faq' on here...or my list of instructions? The United States government has gotten everything it needed from her when she filed. My packet mentions only her divorce certificate and the affidavit of support. I'm really getting tired of the contradictory advice/opinions I have been reading.

Packet will not mention a "spot check" but what people here are telling you is that you may be asked for something that is not listed in Packet 3. It happens. Read the forums. The consulate officer has a job to do and may require additional information to finish his/her job in a manner compatible with U.S. national security. Remember, we're in a post-9/11 world.

The K1 FAQ here is based upon past experiences. It's not for nothing. I would think that the majority of the time, you only need what's listed in packet 3/4. However, as people here are saying, don't be surprised if you're asked for more.

I personally think you should be fine with a photocopy of her birth certificate (or US passport) to prove she's able to petition you. HOWEVER, the officer has a right to ask for any originals that you submit as a copy.

Ok thanks. I think it's rather ridiculous of them to give me instructions, I follow them, and then they ####### on me for not having extras that I wasn't told to bring.

What happens if they want more that I don't have? I have to go back to Montreal?

[payxibka 10,047]

I am not saying that "spot checks" have not occured or could not possibly occur but let's realize one thing, it is not the job of the consulate officer to re-adjudicate a petition. I have read many threads and have little or no recollection of a situation where these origianl documents have been requested by the interviewer.

[JoeCanuk 3]

JoeCanuk,

There is a great deal of subjectivity and flexibility in the visa process. This can work for or against the applicant, and the applicant can take advantage of the subjectivity or they can fight it. But the bottom line is that it exists.

You have been advised, take the advice or leave it as you see fit. My final bit of advice is that if you show the antagonistic attitude with the interviewer that you have been showing here on VJ you risk doing yourself more harm than good. The visa officer has the authority to approve your visa or to deny it with the concurrance of their superior. Recognize that fact of life and conduct yourself accordingly for best result.

Yodrak

My packet 3 mentions nothing of a "spot check". It does, however, tell me what I need to bring. I will bring her PHOTOCOPY of a birth certificate, but even that is not listed as necessary. What should I believe? The K1 visa 'faq' on here...or my list of instructions? The United States government has gotten everything it needed from her when she filed. My packet mentions only her divorce certificate and the affidavit of support. I'm really getting tired of the contradictory advice/opinions I have been reading.

Packet will not mention a "spot check" but what people here are telling you is that you may be asked for something that is not listed in Packet 3. It happens. Read the forums. The consulate officer has a job to do and may require additional information to finish his/her job in a manner compatible with U.S. national security. Remember, we're in a post-9/11 world.

The K1 FAQ here is based upon past experiences. It's not for nothing. I would think that the majority of the time, you only need what's listed in packet 3/4. However, as people here are saying, don't be surprised if you're asked for more.

I personally think you should be fine with a photocopy of her birth certificate (or US passport) to prove she's able to petition you. HOWEVER, the officer has a right to ask for any originals that you submit as a copy.

Ok thanks. I think it's rather ridiculous of them to give me instructions, I follow them, and then they ####### on me for not having extras that I wasn't told to bring.

What happens if they want more that I don't have? I have to go back to Montreal?

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it. I have only been antagonistic to those who have been antagonistic with me first. You know...because I reported the posts.

And all I know is, subjectivity or no subjectivity, I am following instructions and bringing what I was told to bring. And my fiancee has stated over and over again that she is not giving me her birth certificate.

I am not saying that "spot checks" have not occured or could not possibly occur but let's realize one thing, it is not the job of the consulate officer to re-adjudicate a petition. I have read many threads and have little or no recollection of a situation where these origianl documents have been requested by the interviewer.

Thanks. That is comforting to hear. I would agree with you 100%.

I would think these officers are reasonable people. If you follow the instructions and your case is straight forward, you have no worries. I have no idea what happens if they want something you don't have, but don't stress over it.

And I think this whole process is rather ridiculous Or at least, the delays are.

Thank you. And good luck to you.

[featherB 1]

And all I know is, subjectivity or no subjectivity, I am following instructions and bringing what I was told to bring. And my fiancee has stated over and over again that she is not giving me her birth certificate.

You will most likely be fine without it - people just want you to be aware that you could be asked to show originals of any documents, including the petitioner's birth certificate. Probably very unlikely (it varies from consulate to consulate how much they want to see at the interview, in any case), but... just be aware of the possibility. Before I had my interview I was asking questions to find out if I'd really need a copy of my then-fiance's marriage certificate from his previous marriage (he is the USC) - he was of the opinion that that was a ridiculous requirement (given that we'd already sent in his divorce decree with the I-129F), he didn't have a copy of it and wasn't about to apply for one. In the end, I was barely asked for anything at interview, let alone that. But... when I originally asked the question, I was a bit worried when a couple of people confirmed that yes, they had been asked for the petitioner's previous marriage certificate at interview. If I remember right, those people had been interviewed in Montreal... I know it's not the same thing, but it sounds like Montreal aren't above making seemingly pointless requests of K-1 applicants at interview, just be aware of that!

Also... I would second what Yodrak says. There's no point having the attitude that any requirement in this process is ridiculous/pointless/whatever, because at the end of the day if the CO asks you for something, you have no option but to smile sweetly (or not) and give them what they ask for - they couldn't care less about you, me, or any other foreign beneficiary, they're not there to do us any favours, they're not doing us a service, they are allowing USCs the PRIVILEGE (not right) of applying to bring their foreign fiance(e)s/spouses to the US. Our opinions on the efficiency or otherwise of the whole process are less than irrelevant!

Oh... good luck, by the way. And really, you should be fine without your fiancee's birth certificate - I really don't think it's something people are asked for on a regular basis! Don't let the infuriating-but-accurate standard VJ response of 'they have the right to ask for anything they like' worry you overmuch... just be aware that the reason people say this is because it's true!

[JoeCanuk 3]

And all I know is, subjectivity or no subjectivity, I am following instructions and bringing what I was told to bring. And my fiancee has stated over and over again that she is not giving me her birth certificate.

You will most likely be fine without it - people just want you to be aware that you could be asked to show originals of any documents, including the petitioner's birth certificate. Probably very unlikely (it varies from consulate to consulate how much they want to see at the interview, in any case), but... just be aware of the possibility. Before I had my interview I was asking questions to find out if I'd really need a copy of my then-fiance's marriage certificate from his previous marriage (he is the USC) - he was of the opinion that that was a ridiculous requirement (given that we'd already sent in his divorce decree with the I-129F), he didn't have a copy of it and wasn't about to apply for one. In the end, I was barely asked for anything at interview, let alone that. But... when I originally asked the question, I was a bit worried when a couple of people confirmed that yes, they had been asked for the petitioner's previous marriage certificate at interview. If I remember right, those people had been interviewed in Montreal... I know it's not the same thing, but it sounds like Montreal aren't above making seemingly pointless requests of K-1 applicants at interview, just be aware of that!

Also... I would second what Yodrak says. There's no point having the attitude that any requirement in this process is ridiculous/pointless/whatever, because at the end of the day if the CO asks you for something, you have no option but to smile sweetly (or not) and give them what they ask for - they couldn't care less about you, me, or any other foreign beneficiary, they're not there to do us any favours, they're not doing us a service, they are allowing USCs the PRIVILEGE (not right) of applying to bring their foreign fiance(e)s/spouses to the US. Our opinions on the efficiency or otherwise of the whole process are less than irrelevant!

Oh... good luck, by the way. And really, you should be fine without your fiancee's birth certificate - I really don't think it's something people are asked for on a regular basis! Don't let the infuriating-but-accurate standard VJ response of 'they have the right to ask for anything they like' worry you overmuch... just be aware that the reason people say this is because it's true!

No problem. Thank you very much. I understand they're just trying to say it could happen.

I do think we have the right to be annoyed with things though. If you bring everything you're told to bring to your interview and they pull a fast one on you, you should be angry even if you don't show it. You're paying for the whole process after all.