Hi guys,
thanks to some VJ'rs I figured what needs to be sent with ds-230 form. Don't get me wrong, I am ok with providing whatever needed to get visa for my husband, but I soo don't feel like sending the originals of the " hard to get" documents. For example, it's such a ridiculously long process to get police certificates from some countries that god forbids NVC looses the original and embassy at the interview request the original "what one should do?!"
Did anybody tried sending copies of some of the "hard to get documents' instead of the originals?
Embassy where my husband will have the interview is Appointment Processing.
Please share you inputs and experiances with originals vs. copies with DS230.

I am just trying to prepare ahead of time and of course I am so anxious to finally have my husband here.

I wish to all of you guys and me , easy and stress-less journey.

I have a feeling that now in appointment processing you have to send the originals of the documents requested. I am ordering two or more of all the documents - even though it's costing more money each time. For example - I have three certified copies of the marriage certificate. Three long form birth certificates etc. I when I come to ordering the police certificate I will order two / maybe three at the same time. It means we can send one to NVC and then both my husband and I can hold on to one of the spares each. So he has one for quickly sending again to NVC if they lose the first one. And I have one for the interview if they lose one. Probably over cautious but I'm a bit like that!

you DONT have to send any important certificates , a simple copy is good enough , they will ask for any original cert at the interview , DO NOT SEND THE ORIGINAL



SORRY HAD TO CORRECT THAT , ( DONT SEND ANY ORIGINAL , JUST MAIL A SIMPLE COPY )

Actually for some countries - and I know that the UK is one of these - you now DO have to send the ORIGINALS or CERTIFIED COPY plus a simple photocopy to NVC. This has been a recent change. Please see this from the DOS website:

(Although I only know that this applies definitely for the CR1/IR1 visa - I am not sure what happens if you are K3 - perhaps someone else can help with that)



Appointment NVC Processing

Document Requirements

The applicant and each family member who will accompany the applicant to the United States will need to submit the following original documents or certified copies of the documents listed in this section from an appropriate authority (the issuing entity). In addition to sending the original documents or certified copies of the documents to the NVC, the applicant and each accompanying family member must submit a photocopy of the original documents or certified copies of the documents.
Birth Certificate
Court and Prison Records
Deportation Documentation
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Termination Documentation
Military Records
Photocopy of Valid Passport Biographic Data Page
Police Certificate(s)
All documents that pertain to the applicant’s petition are required, even if they were previously submitted to the CIS with the applicant’s petition.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

Check whether this applies to your country here

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3176.html

send only copies unless they ask for the originals.
If possible get extra copies of originals.

Your are right, if they lose it, your in deep ..........

Some of us doing the CR1 visa do NOT have the option of only sending copies - please see my post above re NVC instructions. Some applicants from certain countries now HAVE to send the originals at the NVC stage. We are supposed to get those originals back at the interview.

Because of this it does make a lot of sense to get extra certified copies of the original certificates. In the UK my marriage cert (the one I was given on the day of the wedding) is IDENTICAL to the two certified copies I received last month. I'll be upset if they lose any of my docs but I am prepared with extra certified copies of the originals just in case.

This may be very different if you are doing K1 or K3 but it appears from their timeline the OP is going ahead with CR1/IR1

I have done same thing like Isma. With CR/IR NVC requires originals or cert. copies issued by government entity. I don't know if people working at NVC realize that in Poland notary public is the government entity, so I send originals with translation. Another set of originals is safe with me.
As soon I learned our I-130 got to NVC, I collected everything and I sent to my husband one set and 3x filled DS230 with my signature.

I am actually doing cr1/ir1. So i guess I will send the original and put big red color sticker saying" DON'T YOU DARE LOSING THIS ORIGINAL!!"
Joking....
Thanks guys, such a nice community.

Take care

Hi Ales,

I think it was confusing because your information says you are applying for a K3, not a CR1.

Anyway, yes, as has already been stated you do need to send the originals. You should get all the originals back - except - the police certificates, the consulate will keep these.

My Husband had his interview in Montreal last Tuesday, we sent three original documents to NVC, besides the police certificates - his birth certificate, our marriage certificate and my divorce certificate.

They only one returned at the interview was his birth certificate. The CO said at the interview the documents would be returned with the visa mail out. We received that yesterday - no documents returned.

Now, we do have the 'brown envelope' which contains all the info/documents the he will present at the border when we move to the U.S., whether they will return the other two at that time or not, I don't know (but I doubt it).

NVC now requires that you send a photo copy along with each original - MAYBE this means they will return the originals.

Anyway, what I am trying to say is don't count on getting them back at the interview and occasionally NVC does lose documents, as someone already mentioned, you might want to order a copy for yourself while you are getting them (like the police certificates for example, if you are really concerned about it).

hi,

You can send certified notarised copies of the orignals. Notarised copies are as good as orignals.

Please take the orignals with you for the interview

Jigi

I had concern about sending originals and spoke with nvc...they must be originals or certified copies just as the website says under appointment processing instructions, not notarized copies.




they told me all originals will be at the embassy for interview...no more vfs

ALES - my intention is not to making you worry.
With recent Kosovo case, and you probably uderstand that Bosnia-Hercegovina is also only formally one country and there is this huge separatist tendency. Who knows how it will end, why don't you write to NVC that is danger time for your husband. They should be able provide fast service.
Good luck

Be careful---your red sticky will also be there when the consular officer reviews the documents at interview. Then the question could come up, "Why would it be such a problem for you if we lost this document?"

You can either go back to embassy and demand they open the envelope and replace it with a copy and re-seal the envelope, or you could get new originals now before you leave for USA, or you could do the more risky approach (but by no means fraudulent) and open the envelope and replace them with copies yourself, and if the POE asks why it was opened, you tell them why (because the consulate basically told you to do so when they said you would get them back with your visa but sealed them in the envelope) so you had no choice but to break the envelope seal to get them back.

Only if notaries in your country are allowed to certify copies. In most countries they are allowed to do so, unlike in U.S.A. where in most states they are not allowed to do so (we have notary publics in U.S.A., not civil notaries like most countries have).

I am already worried about the development in Kosovo and Serbia.
whom should I write to? NVC
I was thinking about doing that.
Thanks for suggesstion.

I'm really not sure.
I'm ONLY assuming about this because other people write to NVC when e.i. child coming of age and if not speedy procedure for them at NVC child won't meet requirments.
I don't know what adress people using for that regular or some special(with attention to )
Regular adress:
National Visa Center
32 Rochester Avenue
Portsmouth, NH 03801-2909
Make sure you will write NVC case number on letter.
I wish you good luck.
Take care.