NVC wants original docs- Is this normal?

[viv85e 3]

At the NVC stage, you definitely send original certified copies of documents. For this kind of document the "original" is usually held at a government office, so only a Certified Copy is available. China is an exception where the original Notarial Translations of documents are what is sent.

Exactly what do you mean by certified copy? In this case a certified copy is the original document you would obtain from the government agency that holds the original. You send an "original" certified copy, not a photocopy of the certified copy.

We sent officially translated and notarized copies (not copies from the issuing institution as it is *not* possible to do so in Romania). Unfortunately Romania has a different system when it comes to important documents that doesn't really fit well with the American system. In America you can get certified copies all day long, in Romania no such thing exists! To me it looks like we will have to send originals but first I will speak with the NVC and make sure we will get them back.

[Que Saudade 284]

OP, I guess mobob had some good information regarding getting the "re-issue"... which I guess is what we call in the US a certified copy from authorities.

That way, you will keep one and you can send one. If at all possible, get more than one? (including birth certificate?)

Good luck.

[pushbrk 12,881]

We sent officially translated and notarized copies (not copies from the issuing institution as it is *not* possible to do so in Romania). Unfortunately Romania has a different system when it comes to important documents that doesn't really fit well with the American system. In America you can get certified copies all day long, in Romania no such thing exists! To me it looks like we will have to send originals but first I will speak with the NVC and make sure we will get them back.

You definitely need a Romania specific answer to what NVC will accept. These things do vary.

For example, from China, I have an ORIGINAL "marriage book" and so does my wife. These never need to be seen during the process by any US Government agency. Instead, we submit what is called a "Notarial Translation" of that book. The Notarial Translation or Notarial Document contains a photocopy of the marriage book NOW, but did not back in 2005, when we obtained ours. The Notarial Documents are official government issued original bound booklets that contain both Chinese documentation and English translation including a certification the translation is correct.

I don't know how they do this in Romania but what you must send to NVC is the closest thing to an original document, you possibly can obtain. Sure, somebody calling themselves something like a "Notary Public" or Romanian equivalent could make a copy of your original document and certify it's a true copy but unless that is exactly what NVC expects from Romania, it's not going to work.

If you want "originals" back after the interview, make sure you take photocopies to trade for them.

[Darnell 8,478]

viv+cata

alas, these 'certified copies' apparently weren't with the 'right' certification. Why do I say that? Because a checklist letter response was issued about it.

If, OTOH, you feel that the certification was from the issuing authority, then it's worth a phone call INTO NVC, and talk with a supervisor (very important) then

ask the supervisor to request another eyeball review, as apparently the NVC Reviewer has gotten it wrong.

[viv85e 3]

viv+cata

alas, these 'certified copies' apparently weren't with the 'right' certification. Why do I say that? Because a checklist letter response was issued about it.

If, OTOH, you feel that the certification was from the issuing authority, then it's worth a phone call INTO NVC, and talk with a supervisor (very important) then

ask the supervisor to request another eyeball review, as apparently the NVC Reviewer has gotten it wrong.

Actually we didn't get a checklist letter yet. I happened to call the NVC just to see where our case was and the woman casually told us we were on hold. Big surprise for us! I notified our lawyer about it but she too found it odd that they are asking for originals. Thanks for reminding us that NVC does make mistakes and we can ask them to double check things. I am so glad we have visa journey to talk things out with others

[mobob 0]

mobob, please show where on the I-130 it states to send in original marriage certificate.

On the I-130 instructions under the "What documents do you need to prove family relationship" section; instruction #1-A clearly states that to send in a copy of your marriage certificate.

@ que saudade The I-130 does not require the original, only a copy, with translation if necessary, to establish relationship. That is for the petition to apply for a visa. However, the OP stated their visa application, DS-230, is on hold at NVC. Here an original or the 'reissue' I mentioned is required. See http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html.

@viv+cata You're quite welcome. I should add, even though the Department of State instructions say you don't have to include translations of the documents if they're in English or the applicant's native language, my wife found information that recommended it, so she had each document (birth cert, police cert, etc) officially translated for the application. Doesn't hurt to make it as easy as possible for the people and organizations processing our stuff. Since we've done notifications electronically, they - NVC - doesn't send anything in the mail, hence no checklist. Everything I got for the DS230 application that wasn't in the instructions was from the DOS website.

Edited August 18, 2012 by mobob

[Chicagoguy 2 27]

A Russian woman friend of mine had her M.D. originals sent to U.S. and DHS lost the package.

[mobob 0]

Oops. That link went bad. Try this http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

[thisamericanlife 3]

I don't know if it helps at all, but I recently received a RFE for a similar thing. We had submitted a certified copy of my birth certificate – which came direct from the registry office here – but NVC won't budge and want an original. Not sure how I can give them an original birth certificate when I don't have it, and they won't accept a certified, newly issued one from the births, deaths and marriages registrar in this country, either.

Maybe something at NVC has changed recently, or is about to?

[thisamericanlife 3]

Sorry, it's also worth noting an NVC operator instructed us to email with SUPERVISORY REVIEW as the subject, with our case number. To that, we received a response stating a new, certified copy was required (#######?!) – but it may be worth the OP trying this too. Whatever NVC will have you believe otherwise, they do NOT respond to emails in the order they are received by NVC. If you put a supervisory request as the subject, they'll read it that day – this is what the NVC operator told me. It must be right, though, because when they had spelled my name wrong on the IV invoice, I emailed with "incorrect name spelling" as the subject, and it was fixed in a day.

[Shiobhan 235]

My friend atty just advise him NVC requested original birth certificates of petetioner and himself , luckily he has 2 of each, so he will give to son now visiting him to send to atty as soon as he gets here

[bigdog 376]

Good Luck with all of this.

[viv85e 3]

If you want "originals" back after the interview, make sure you take photocopies to trade for them.

That is a good idea which I haven't thought of, thank you for mentioning it.

[Jason and Shifa 4]

i also sent the original Birth certificate and marriage certificate to the NVC..i'm praying that they won't lose it

Edited August 19, 2012 by Jason and Shifa

[viv85e 3]

Sorry, it's also worth noting an NVC operator instructed us to email with SUPERVISORY REVIEW as the subject, with our case number. To that, we received a response stating a new, certified copy was required (#######?!) – but it may be worth the OP trying this too. Whatever NVC will have you believe otherwise, they do NOT respond to emails in the order they are received by NVC. If you put a supervisory request as the subject, they'll read it that day – this is what the NVC operator told me. It must be right, though, because when they had spelled my name wrong on the IV invoice, I emailed with "incorrect name spelling" as the subject, and it was fixed in a day.

Thanks for the tip about emailing NVC, def. good to know. I'm also wondering what is up w/their case reviewers, it seems some people get a picky one that wants originals while others don't. Goodluck with your journey!