Apostilled Documents??

[Brusik 11]

Are these required by NVC.. I know police document needs to be apostilled, but what about birth, marriage and divorce. I have heard some people say its required and some say not necessary. I asked the Consulate in Georgia and he said not needed.. Yet my wife said her friend in America said it was needed.. :wacko:

[Casprd 167]

Notarized, certified, apostilized. Definately. The documents need to meet the requirements of the Hague convention (i.e. notarized, translated and apostilized etc). That is the only way that a US Government agency is required to accept them. Some will tell you otherwise, and some may even have been able to do it without this, but it is a small step to have this done so why tempt fate on the chance that the documents will be accepted.

As a general rule of thumb, only listen to what the consulate has to say about their procedures. And even then, go above and beyond as the next person you deal with there may have a different set of procedures that they follow.

[Brusik 11]

thats what is confusing.. American Consulate told me no apostille is needed.. I still can't see on NVC website where it says it's required..

Edited May 3, 2011 by Brusik

[Bleauwolf 9]

The US Consulate in TBL - Georgia does not list any requirements for any documents needing an apostille stamp. I think the consulate response you received is correct.

Regarding the 4 documents you mentioned: police / birth / marriage / divorce:

Quite simply, they need to all be translated and notarized. In most countries it is a government office/authority that does this.

NVC guidelines are a little vague sometimes. Partly because there can be particulars significant only to a single country, as well each country has it's own various circumstances. For Georgia specifically, there is no consulate country specific guidelines. However, the safest thing is for all the documents mentioned to be translated and notarized.

Below is more specific information from NVC regarding the minimum things required for each of the documents you mentioned. I hope the information will help clear up some of your confusion. Go by the basics of what I said (translation+notarization) for all and you will be much safer. Best Wishes ~ Bleauwolf

Police Certificates: Each applicant aged 16 years or older must submit police certificates.

What to Send

The applicant must submit police certificates that meet the following guidelines. The police certificate must:

• Cover the entire period of the applicant’s residence in that area

• Be issued by the appropriate police authority

• Include all arrests, the reason for the arrest(s), and the disposition of each case of which there is a record.

How to obtain a police certificate

1. Determine from which countries an applicant is required to obtain police certificates. The table below will assist in determining from where an applicant must obtain police certificates.

Note: Present and former residents of the United States should NOT obtain any police certificates covering their residence in the U.S.

2. Contact the appropriate police authorities. Selecting the appropriate country from the Reciprocity by Country page will provide you with additional information on how to obtain a police certificate.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - ABOUT POLICE CERTIFICATES: The Reciprocity by Country pages will indicate if a country’s police authorities require the submission of a specific Police Certificate Request form. Some countries may require the submission of specific Police Certificate Request forms in order to properly request and obtain the applicable Police Certificate(s).

Police certificates from certain countries are unavailable.

More specific information is available from NVC, the nearest United States immigrant visa processing post, or online at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3272.html.'>http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3272.html.

----------------

Birth Certificates

Each applicant will need to obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in the country of birth, showing the date and place of birth and the parentage of the alien, based upon the original registration of birth.

The certificate must contain the:

• Person’s date of birth

• Person’s place of birth

• Names of both parents, and

• Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records

Unobtainable birth certificates

The applicant’s birth record may not be obtainable. Some reasons are listed below:

• The applicant’s birth was never officially recorded.

• The applicant’s birth records have been destroyed.

• The appropriate government authority will not issue one.

Please obtain a certified statement from the appropriate government authority stating the reason the applicant’s birth record is not available. With the certified statement the applicant must submit secondary evidence. For example:

• A baptismal certificate that contains the date and place of birth, as well as both parents names (providing the baptism took place shortly after birth)

• An adoption decree for an adopted child

• An affidavit from a close relative, preferably the applicant’s mother, stating the date and place of birth, both parents names, and the mother’s maiden name.

Note: An affidavit must be executed before an official authorized to take oaths or affirmations. More specific information is available from the NVC.

-----------------------------------

Marriage Certificate

Married applicants must obtain an original marriage certificate, or a certified copy, bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority.

Note: Marriage certificates from certain countries are unavailable. More specific information is available from NVC, the nearest United States immigrant visa processing post, or online at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3272.html

------------------------------------

Marriage Termination Documentation

Applicants who have been previously married must obtain evidence of the termination of EACH prior marriage. Evidence must be in the form of original documents issued by a competent authority, or certified copies bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority, such as:

• FINAL divorce decree

• Death certificate

• Annulment papers

[Brusik 11]

The US Consulate in TBL - Georgia does not list any requirements for any documents needing an apostille stamp. I think the consulate response you received is correct.

Regarding the 4 documents you mentioned: police / birth / marriage / divorce:

Quite simply, they need to all be translated and notarized. In most countries it is a government office/authority that does this.

NVC guidelines are a little vague sometimes. Partly because there can be particulars significant only to a single country, as well each country has it's own various circumstances. For Georgia specifically, there is no consulate country specific guidelines. However, the safest thing is for all the documents mentioned to be translated and notarized.

Below is more specific information from NVC regarding the minimum things required for each of the documents you mentioned. I hope the information will help clear up some of your confusion. Go by the basics of what I said (translation+notarization) for all and you will be much safer. Best Wishes ~ Bleauwolf

Police Certificates: Each applicant aged 16 years or older must submit police certificates.

What to Send

The applicant must submit police certificates that meet the following guidelines. The police certificate must:

• Cover the entire period of the applicant's residence in that area

• Be issued by the appropriate police authority

• Include all arrests, the reason for the arrest(s), and the disposition of each case of which there is a record.

How to obtain a police certificate

1. Determine from which countries an applicant is required to obtain police certificates. The table below will assist in determining from where an applicant must obtain police certificates.

Note: Present and former residents of the United States should NOT obtain any police certificates covering their residence in the U.S.

2. Contact the appropriate police authorities. Selecting the appropriate country from the Reciprocity by Country page will provide you with additional information on how to obtain a police certificate.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - ABOUT POLICE CERTIFICATES: The Reciprocity by Country pages will indicate if a country's police authorities require the submission of a specific Police Certificate Request form. Some countries may require the submission of specific Police Certificate Request forms in order to properly request and obtain the applicable Police Certificate(s).

Police certificates from certain countries are unavailable.

More specific information is available from NVC, the nearest United States immigrant visa processing post, or online at: http://travel.state....city_3272.html.

----------------

Birth Certificates

Each applicant will need to obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in the country of birth, showing the date and place of birth and the parentage of the alien, based upon the original registration of birth.

The certificate must contain the:

• Person's date of birth

• Person's place of birth

• Names of both parents, and

• Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records

Unobtainable birth certificates

The applicant's birth record may not be obtainable. Some reasons are listed below:

• The applicant's birth was never officially recorded.

• The applicant's birth records have been destroyed.

• The appropriate government authority will not issue one.

Please obtain a certified statement from the appropriate government authority stating the reason the applicant's birth record is not available. With the certified statement the applicant must submit secondary evidence. For example:

• A baptismal certificate that contains the date and place of birth, as well as both parents names (providing the baptism took place shortly after birth)

• An adoption decree for an adopted child

• An affidavit from a close relative, preferably the applicant's mother, stating the date and place of birth, both parents names, and the mother's maiden name.

Note: An affidavit must be executed before an official authorized to take oaths or affirmations. More specific information is available from the NVC.

-----------------------------------

Marriage Certificate

Married applicants must obtain an original marriage certificate, or a certified copy, bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority.

Note: Marriage certificates from certain countries are unavailable. More specific information is available from NVC, the nearest United States immigrant visa processing post, or online at: http://travel.state....ocity_3272.html

------------------------------------

Marriage Termination Documentation

Applicants who have been previously married must obtain evidence of the termination of EACH prior marriage. Evidence must be in the form of original documents issued by a competent authority, or certified copies bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority, such as:

• FINAL divorce decree

• Death certificate

• Annulment papers

Thx so much

I hear so many different things.. It's not like Apostille is cheap.. To do 4 documents would cost 250-350 dollars.. So you are saying police only needs to be certified and notary not apostilled.. I know the others are original and notarized and certified..

[Brusik 11]

The US Consulate in TBL - Georgia does not list any requirements for any documents needing an apostille stamp. I think the consulate response you received is correct.

Regarding the 4 documents you mentioned: police / birth / marriage / divorce:

Quite simply, they need to all be translated and notarized. In most countries it is a government office/authority that does this.

NVC guidelines are a little vague sometimes. Partly because there can be particulars significant only to a single country, as well each country has it's own various circumstances. For Georgia specifically, there is no consulate country specific guidelines. However, the safest thing is for all the documents mentioned to be translated and notarized.

Below is more specific information from NVC regarding the minimum things required for each of the documents you mentioned. I hope the information will help clear up some of your confusion. Go by the basics of what I said (translation+notarization) for all and you will be much safer. Best Wishes ~ Bleauwolf

Police Certificates: Each applicant aged 16 years or older must submit police certificates.

What to Send

The applicant must submit police certificates that meet the following guidelines. The police certificate must:

• Cover the entire period of the applicant's residence in that area

• Be issued by the appropriate police authority

• Include all arrests, the reason for the arrest(s), and the disposition of each case of which there is a record.

How to obtain a police certificate

1. Determine from which countries an applicant is required to obtain police certificates. The table below will assist in determining from where an applicant must obtain police certificates.

Note: Present and former residents of the United States should NOT obtain any police certificates covering their residence in the U.S.

2. Contact the appropriate police authorities. Selecting the appropriate country from the Reciprocity by Country page will provide you with additional information on how to obtain a police certificate.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - ABOUT POLICE CERTIFICATES: The Reciprocity by Country pages will indicate if a country's police authorities require the submission of a specific Police Certificate Request form. Some countries may require the submission of specific Police Certificate Request forms in order to properly request and obtain the applicable Police Certificate(s).

Police certificates from certain countries are unavailable.

More specific information is available from NVC, the nearest United States immigrant visa processing post, or online at: http://travel.state....city_3272.html.

----------------

Birth Certificates

Each applicant will need to obtain an original birth certificate issued by the official custodian of birth records in the country of birth, showing the date and place of birth and the parentage of the alien, based upon the original registration of birth.

The certificate must contain the:

• Person's date of birth

• Person's place of birth

• Names of both parents, and

• Annotation by the appropriate authority indicating that it is an extract from the official records

Unobtainable birth certificates

The applicant's birth record may not be obtainable. Some reasons are listed below:

• The applicant's birth was never officially recorded.

• The applicant's birth records have been destroyed.

• The appropriate government authority will not issue one.

Please obtain a certified statement from the appropriate government authority stating the reason the applicant's birth record is not available. With the certified statement the applicant must submit secondary evidence. For example:

• A baptismal certificate that contains the date and place of birth, as well as both parents names (providing the baptism took place shortly after birth)

• An adoption decree for an adopted child

• An affidavit from a close relative, preferably the applicant's mother, stating the date and place of birth, both parents names, and the mother's maiden name.

Note: An affidavit must be executed before an official authorized to take oaths or affirmations. More specific information is available from the NVC.

-----------------------------------

Marriage Certificate

Married applicants must obtain an original marriage certificate, or a certified copy, bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority.

Note: Marriage certificates from certain countries are unavailable. More specific information is available from NVC, the nearest United States immigrant visa processing post, or online at: http://travel.state....ocity_3272.html

------------------------------------

Marriage Termination Documentation

Applicants who have been previously married must obtain evidence of the termination of EACH prior marriage. Evidence must be in the form of original documents issued by a competent authority, or certified copies bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority, such as:

• FINAL divorce decree

• Death certificate

• Annulment papers

.

What is defined as appropriate seal and stamp... I assume this is the notary

[Bleauwolf 9]

.

What is defined as appropriate seal and stamp... I assume this is the notary

Yes the notary stamp/seal. (or equivalent official government office stamp/seal).

Edited May 4, 2011 by Bleauwolf

[Brusik 11]

Yes the notary stamp/seal. (or equivalent official government office stamp/seal).

KK Thx again we can save several hundred dollars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Casprd 167]

thats what is confusing.. American Consulate told me no apostille is needed.. I still can't see on NVC website where it says it's required..

Let me rephrase. Only listen to what the consulate says about procedures at the consulate. Take anything they say about procedures at NVC with a grain of salt.

[Brusik 11]

Let me rephrase. Only listen to what the consulate says about procedures at the consulate. Take anything they say about procedures at NVC with a grain of salt.

LOL doesn't matter now she apostilled all the documents...................