DS-230 (Documents Required)

[rodnyc 0]

Hello Everyone,

I am trying to collect all the required documents to send along form DS-230 but I am not 100% sure if I need to send original or copies.

I am the petitioner (i am petitioning my dad) and I live in the US. The case is in NVC California and my dad is in Ecuador.

Here is the list of documents that I have:

1. Marriage Certificate

2. Divorce Certificate

3. Birth Certificate of beneficiary

4. Police Clearance Report

5. 2 passport size photographs of beneficiary

6. Beneficiary Passport copy

7. DNA test result (to establish paternity.. since my parents were never married)

7. Anything Else??

Do I need to send the originals along with the DS-230? They were really hard to get and I dont want to lose them or do I just send the checklist saying that I have all those documents and my dad needs to take them to the interview in Ecuador.. or will it be ok if i send copies along with translations?

Thanks for your help!!!

[jkelly07 120]

hi go to the top of this page click on embassy infro ecuador,, some information there . good luck

[rodnyc 0]

hi go to the top of this page click on embassy infro ecuador,, some information there . good luck

thanks for the info but Im still a little confused...

it says that if NVC handles the case.. they will require all civil documents.. I can provide the originals for almost everything to NVC but the marriage and divorce certificates (i have them but i am afraid to lose them.. they were really hard to get)... and I am not sure if they will accept the copies for these documents.. my dad will take the originals to the interview..

Edited November 17, 2010 by rodnyc

[michaillah07 2]

thanks for the info but Im still a little confused...

it says that if NVC handles the case.. they will require all civil documents.. I can provide the originals for almost everything to NVC but the marriage and divorce certificates (i have them but i am afraid to lose them.. they were really hard to get)... and I am not sure if they will accept the copies for these documents.. my dad will take the originals to the interview..

Yes, just send copies of all your originals during the application process. Your dad will present the original documents during the interview.

[R&W 5]

Yes, just send copies of all your originals during the application process. Your dad will present the original documents during the interview.

What do you mean? No, do not send the originals together with the DS-230?..and yes for the dad to bring the originals in the interview?

[michaillah07 2]

What do you mean? No, do not send the originals together with the DS-230?..and yes for the dad to bring the originals in the interview?

I meant just photocopies not the originals.

[R&W 5]

hmm interesting. I thought all along that they only require original documents. Actually what I know is they need two sets. One original. One photocopy. And of course one for you so that makes it three sets.

Can anyone confirm this for us, please? Are civil docs photocopies accepted in NVC together with DS-230?

[ashwaj 0]

We are also submitting DS230 but they ask us to submit all the original copies include our previous marriages and there termination and our present marriage.So plz any one tell us should we send the original one or just the copies and one more thing that do we also need to send the set of the photocopies of those document.

[benuk 18]

hmm interesting. I thought all along that they only require original documents. Actually what I know is they need two sets. One original. One photocopy. And of course one for you so that makes it three sets.

Can anyone confirm this for us, please? Are civil docs photocopies accepted in NVC together with DS-230?

Hello there, at NVC stage you need to send all ORIGINALS and one copy of each document...When his dad goes to his interview he need to ask for the ORIGINALS back...if you don't send a copy of each the Embassy will keep all ORIGINALS!! I suggest you to get those second originals even if is difficult or not you went a long way to get here and get bumped for something that even if is sooooooo difficult to get but is worthy!

Edited April 17, 2012 by benuk

[benuk 18]

I meant just photocopies not the originals.

Photocopies is only on USCIS stage...NVC required all ORIGINALS.

Yes, just send copies of all your originals during the application process. Your dad will present the original documents during the interview.

Nope!

People easy go to WIKI on top of the page...look for..see all wiki...all scrow down until you find the word NVC...read it!! BINGO

Edited April 17, 2012 by benuk

[vegas12 12]

I have a question about the document you need to send for the DS-230. I am applying for my wife and two children under 18. I not sure in her divorce papers if she has total custody. If not, would I need to send a letter from her ex husband that said he is allowing the children to move to the US. Should this be sent with the documents or brought to the interview. Thanks

[SerenityNOW 11]

I have a question about the document you need to send for the DS-230. I am applying for my wife and two children under 18. I not sure in her divorce papers if she has total custody. If not, would I need to send a letter from her ex husband that said he is allowing the children to move to the US. Should this be sent with the documents or brought to the interview. Thanks

Most people say that it is only required at the interview stage... really it is required at the point of departure from the home country, but apparently it is frequently (but not always) requested at the interview.

That being said, I DID include a photocopy of the notarized document from my stepson's birth mother with the DS-230 package because I HAVE heard of the occasional person who was requested to send this by NVC. I figured it couldn't hurt since we already had the document.

Check Brazil's requirements for taking a minor child out of the country for what specifically to include - we included that she was granting permission for her son to immigrate permanently to the United States with his father, in other words, clearly stating that it wasn't just for a visit.

Edited April 22, 2013 by SerenityNOW

[SerenityNOW 11]

Do I need to send the originals along with the DS-230? They were really hard to get and I dont want to lose them or do I just send the checklist saying that I have all those documents and my dad needs to take them to the interview in Ecuador.. or will it be ok if i send copies along with translations?

Thanks for your help!!!

Definitely you have to send ORIGINALS or CERTIFIED COPIES! It clearly says so in the instructions (Documents the Applicant Must Submit to the NVC)

Original Document Requirements

You and each family member immigrating with you to the United States must submit to the NVC original documents issued by an appropriate authority, or certified copies of those documents listed in this section.

NOBODY likes this requirement . It is a total pain in the butt if anything is lost and has to be replaced. I have read stories of this happening and I am going to be slightly apprehensive until I hear that our documents have been received. But in general, it all works out, especially if you send it via a method that includes tracking so you can at least see your package has arrived at NVC.

Note that you don't necessarily have to send the original - a certified copy is fine. I have never used my original marriage certificate, but I have several certified copies that I obtained for all the various reasons I needed it.

You are also supposed to include a photocopy of these official documents - birth, marriage, divorce, police/court certificates.

Photocopy Requirements

You and each family member immigrating with you must also submit to the NVC a photocopy of the original documents or certified copies of the documents.

I am pretty sure I forgot to do this on my husband's application years ago but you are supposed to do it, so I remembered this time with my stepson's package!

[haljbr 4]

To NVC the things are clear.

take a look at this information http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html

You and each family member immigrating with you must also submit to the NVC a photocopy of the original documents or certified copies of the documents.

What means that you can send certified copies.

I will travel to another country now. Imagine if I need to send my original passport to NVC.

I couldn't travel till get back my passport?

No way.

Its for sure that is just certified copies and original you will bring to your interview.

[Lingladyinred19 13]

Yes, just send copies of all your originals during the application process. Your dad will present the original documents during the interview.

What do u mean? Original then photocopy?