What happens if you do not bring birth certificate to AOS interview?

[M&Y_2019 25]

I realized a couple weeks ago that we do not have the original birth certificate (a copy of which sent with the AOS application). It is not a birth certificate, but rather the foreign document that the State Dept deems equivalent. 

I can’t recall, but we either misplaced it while moving, or the copy was submitted was a scan that my spouse’s mother sent us via email. Either way, she could not find it either. 
 

It took time for her to go to the government office and get new one reissued. She mailed the new one to us with the fastest service, but it still has not arrived. It appears to have left my spouse’s home country and USPS has yet to receive it. We have less than a week left until the interview. We will also have to have it re-translated as I assume certain items in the document will have changed from the initial one submitted (date of issue, etc).

 

What happens if it doesn’t arrive in time for our AOS interview and they ask to see it?

[Marieke H 2,521]

If they ask to see it and you don't have it, they may issue an RFE, so you will not be approved until you send it. However, it is unlikely that they will ask to see it.

 

By the way, if you or your spouse are fluent in both languages, you can just translate it yourself. Just add a statement certifying that the person who translated it is fluent in both languages and that the translation is complete and accurate. You can find examples of statements here on VJ.

[Mike E 11,742]

IME, beneficiaries without original birth documents presented at the AOS interview will not be approved.  
 

This was for us the primary benefit of hiring an attorney: getting this advice and then putting in the necessary time to get original documents. Fortunately we were able to file AOS before the 90 day deadline.  
 

Between the filing and AOS the originals were locked in our safe where they remained until AOS interview day. And whether they are now and will stay until my wife departs this Earth.  

Edited April 3, 2021 by Mike E

[Marieke H 2,521]

6 minutes ago, Mike E said:

IME, beneficiaries without original birth documents presented at the AOS interview will not be approved.  

Not always true. I was never asked to show the original during my AOS interview. There was a copy in my file, and that was sufficient. 

[Mike E 11,742]

22 minutes ago, Marieke H said:

Not always true. I was never asked to show the original during my AOS interview. There was a copy in my file, and that was sufficient. 

Then allow me to amend that.  IME, every AOS I’ve attended, the original BC was required.  

 

Our lawyer warned us we would get asked.  We were asked.  My wife for her birth records.  Me for my naturalization certificate.  Our lawyer warned us our IO played hard ball  and he did.   

 

 

[payxibka 10,047]

I'm guessing you have attended a total of ONE AOS interview.   One does not a trend make.

[United940 3]

They didn't asked for my birth Certificate

[Noname93 200]

Same here. They didn't ask me for any of the originals (except for my passport) even though I brought everything they could possibly want with me. I'm guessing in 100% depends on the person interviewing you. Hopefully they won't ask.

Edited April 5, 2021 by Noname93

[M&Y_2019 25]

On 4/3/2021 at 10:51 AM, Mike E said:

IME, beneficiaries without original birth documents presented at the AOS interview will not be approved.  

Had the interview and they didn’t need it. Approved.

 

Edited April 7, 2021 by M&Y_2019

[Mike E 11,742]

16 hours ago, M&Y_2019 said:

Had the interview and they didn’t need it. Approved.

 

Awesome.  So based on these anecdotes, clearly the advice is not being your BC to an AOS interview.  /s

[M&Y_2019 25]

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

Awesome.  So based on these anecdotes, clearly the advice is not being your BC to an AOS interview.  /s

I don’t think that’s what anyone is saying. 

[Marieke H 2,521]

18 hours ago, M&Y_2019 said:

Had the interview and they didn’t need it. Approved.

 

Awesome! Congratulations!

 

1 hour ago, Mike E said:

Awesome.  So based on these anecdotes, clearly the advice is not being your BC to an AOS interview.  /s

That's not what people are saying. The advice is to bring all original documents to the interview just in case, but if you do not have all originals that is no reason to reschedule the interview. Chances are small that they will ask to see the birth certificate, and if they do and you don't have it, they will allow you to send it in after the interview.

[Rearviewmirror 397]

On 4/7/2021 at 5:07 PM, M&Y_2019 said:

Had the interview and they didn’t need it. Approved.

 

When did your case status update? I had my interview on Tuesday (was verbally approved) and still no updates yet.

[M&Y_2019 25]

22 minutes ago, Rearviewmirror said:

When did your case status update? I had my interview on Tuesday (was verbally approved) and still no updates yet.

The case status updated immediately after the interview to “New card is being produced.” After that, the status updated to “Approved” the next day.