DS 230- ORIGINAL OR CERTIFIED COPIES

[ushahid1217 0]

I am a bit confused, and I did figure this issue out recently but someone I met few days ago has told me something that I am confused. I am about to send in my wife's DS-230 packet this week. I got all my wifes original documents that need to be sent in, the original MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, POLICE REPORT, COPY OF THE BIOGRAPHIC DATA PAGE IN HER PASSPORT ALONG WITH 2 PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOS. What I was planning on doing was having my wife make copies of all these original documents to keep for her records and mail in the original ones to NVC. So she can take the copies to the interview incase they need to verify or match information. However, someone has been telling me that you should mail in the copies to NVC and have her keep the originals to present on the day of the interview. Now my concern is if I do send in the copies of her original, should I have them notarized and then send them in, cause I know I did read in the guidelines that I can send in certified copies if I want. By notarizing them here locally in the USA will they become certified or there is something else that needs to be done. Appreciate your comments and remarks. Thanks.

Regards and good luck to all.....

[Kenza 1]

You need to send in the originals and make a copy of everything for your records. What I did was send in an original packet and a copy packet as well as a copy packet for my records.

[Dakine 26]

Best if EVERYONE gets multiple certified copies iof all documents associated with their cases when they start the process. No only makes thing easy for the process but later when the beneficiary s in the US where there may be a need for certified copies.

Example would be adopting stepchild in the US.

LOTS easier in most cases when the bene is still in their home country.

Edited May 24, 2009 by Haole

[lilies 0]

I am a bit confused, and I did figure this issue out recently but someone I met few days ago has told me something that I am confused. I am about to send in my wife's DS-230 packet this week. I got all my wifes original documents that need to be sent in, the original MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, POLICE REPORT, COPY OF THE BIOGRAPHIC DATA PAGE IN HER PASSPORT ALONG WITH 2 PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOS. What I was planning on doing was having my wife make copies of all these original documents to keep for her records and mail in the original ones to NVC. So she can take the copies to the interview incase they need to verify or match information. However, someone has been telling me that you should mail in the copies to NVC and have her keep the originals to present on the day of the interview. Now my concern is if I do send in the copies of her original, should I have them notarized and then send them in, cause I know I did read in the guidelines that I can send in certified copies if I want. By notarizing them here locally in the USA will they become certified or there is something else that needs to be done. Appreciate your comments and remarks. Thanks.

Regards and good luck to all.....

Hi you can send a certified copy from the issuing entity. If you send only a copy with a stamp from notary public on it then you'll get a RFE.

You can read this link to make sure what NVC mean by issuing entity in Pakistan http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciproc...ocity_3644.html

I also highly recommend you to send an email to US embassy in Pakistan just to reconfirm about this certified copy.

Hope it helps.

Good luck!

[Moosker 7]

We sent in all CERTIFIED copies, and an original police certificate (RCMP gave me 2, so I kept one). You get all these things back, but they specifically ask for a certified birth certificate, so we did the same for the marriage cert.

Good luck!

[ushahid1217 0]

We sent in all CERTIFIED copies, and an original police certificate (RCMP gave me 2, so I kept one). You get all these things back, but they specifically ask for a certified birth certificate, so we did the same for the marriage cert.

Good luck!

Thanks for your reply, so your saying that I should send in the certified copies of the marriage certificate, birth certificate and a original police report by mail to the NVC. And when my wife goes to the interview she should take all the originals of these documents to present if they asked for. On the other hand if I do decide to send in all original documents because on the NVC guidelines it says you can send in the ORIGINAL/CERTIFIED COPY, then can i have my wife take the certified copies to the interview. The reason I am asking is because one of my friends husband went for an interview and he was denied visa the same day because they said he did not provide them with a original birth certificate during the interview. Thank you for your advise. Good Luck.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Please note that "certified" copies are copies that are certified by whichever agency gave you the originals. You cannot make copies of them and take them to a notary.

I am sending the originals because I don't want to take any chances of getting an RFE.

Edited May 26, 2009 by WhidbeyGirl

[OBX 51]

Please note that "certified" copies are copies that are certified by whichever agency gave you the originals. You cannot make copies of them and take them to a notary.

I am sending the originals because I don't want to take any chances of getting an RFE.

Exactly. Many filers are confused by the meaning of certified "copies". You will have your originals / certified copies returned at the interview. Good luck