Divorce Decrees

[reach449 2]

My attorney in BANGKOK just called TWO weeks before my SO's interview and said the U.S. Embassy requires the original decrees of my divorces; not copies. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this true? The VJ guidelines state copies of the decrees.

Has anyone's SO had their interview yet that the interviewer has required originals? Can anyone point me to USCIS or DHS webpage that states these requirements? Or is it up to the embassy to what they want?

Thanks,

reach449

[Yodrak 7]

reach,

Photocopies of supporting documents may be submitted with petitions and applications with the understanding that the original from which the photocopy was made can be requested by a USCIS or consular officer to verify the photocopy.

Interviews are convenient opportunities for USCIS and consular officers to verify a photocopy should they wish to.

Things like birth and divorce certificates are significant documents, likely to be verified.

Be prepared.

Yodrak

PS - VJ Guides are not binding on USCIS and consular officers.

My attorney in BANGKOK just called TWO weeks before my SO's interview and said the U.S. Embassy requires the original decrees of my divorces; not copies. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this true? The VJ guidelines state copies of the decrees.

Has anyone's SO had their interview yet that the interviewer has required originals? Can anyone point me to USCIS or DHS webpage that states these requirements? Or is it up to the embassy to what they want?

Thanks,

reach449

[ladywhite 0]

My attorney in BANGKOK just called TWO weeks before my SO's interview and said the U.S. Embassy requires the original decrees of my divorces; not copies. Has anyone ever heard of this? Is this true? The VJ guidelines state copies of the decrees.

Has anyone's SO had their interview yet that the interviewer has required originals? Can anyone point me to USCIS or DHS webpage that states these requirements? Or is it up to the embassy to what they want?

Thanks,

reach449

I have not had an interview myself. But, based on the experiences shared on a thai forum by many thai fiancees who passed their interviews, the original divorce decree is needed. I'm pretty sure your fiancee knows what web site I'm talking about (usvisa4thai.com). she can go to the web site and read about others' interview.

sorry i don't have the official reference to provide. Even on the US Embassy BKK web site doesn't have this information.

Good luck.

[Lance27 19]

Not sure if you received a packet 3 or if this information is in your Packet 3... This is what it says:

Divorce and Death Certificates: If you or your spouse was previously married, you are required to present a certified copy of termination of any prior marriage, for example, a death certificate or a final decree of divorce or annulment. The certificate must show that it is an extract from official records and must bear the seal of the issuing authority.

[ladywhite 0]

Not sure if you received a packet 3 or if this information is in your Packet 3... This is what it says:

Divorce and Death Certificates: If you or your spouse was previously married, you are required to present a certified copy of termination of any prior marriage, for example, a death certificate or a final decree of divorce or annulment. The certificate must show that it is an extract from official records and must bear the seal of the issuing authority.

the checklist in packet 3 provided by the US consulate in BKK basically says what required documents you (as a beneficiary) need to prepare to present at the interview. please check out the new checklist attached to this posting. it doesn't state as clearly as the document Lance27 showed here does. however, i do believe you should have the original ready, as Khun Yodrak said.

Good luck.

[reach449 2]

What a wealth of information from everyone! Thanks! I live in Tennessee and my two divorces was in Los Angeles and Oakland, Ca. I was on the telephone all day trying to get certified copies mailed to me by next week. It just is not going to happen. Both counties said it would take 3 to 4 weeks to get certified copies sent to me. Her interview is in two weeks! I have the originals, however they are so old that they look like copies. I never did see the packet three as my attorney took care of all the paperwork for us.

So I will be flying to LAX Sunday night and then drive to Oakland all day Monday. I will pick up the one in Oakland on Tuesday and fly back to Tennessee on Tuesday afternoon.

These "originals" will cost me around $1000.00 after airfares, hotels, and car rental. Oh well, NOTHING is worth taking the chance of having something like not having the proper paperwork at the interview. I don't want to be delayed in anyway.

So it is all worth it, to have my fiancee' here on time with no stress for either one of us.

Thanks again everyone. Appreciate all the answers. By the way I know VJ guidelines are just that...guidelines. That is why I asked if there was any goverment website that would tell me exactly what was needed for the interview. But it is all a "moot" point now, as I will go get the docs in person.

Thanks again,

reach449

[Kelli 0]

When I had my interview, I just took the photo copied divorce papers, as we have had trouble with the mail services losing packages, and we didn't want to take the risk of losing his original. They accepted the photocopied one though.

[Anh map 2,098]

This is not the last time that you may need certified copies of the divorce decrees. So get a few of them when you are at the courthouses.

[reach449 2]

This is not the last time that you may need certified copies of the divorce decrees. So get a few of them when you are at the courthouses.

Thanks...good point. I will get a couple or three.

reach449