Confused (or tired)

[rob11715 6]

I am a bit confused about what my wife must bring to her interview. We submitted all original or certified copies of the required civil documents to the NVC. At one point I had called the NVC and they told me they would be forwarded to the Embassy. In the email my wife and I received from the NVC that gave us the interview date for her it states: "Any original documents that were requested by the NVC but were not submitted to the NVC must be brought to the visa interview."

In these forums and embassy reviews I read about people having to bring original documents to the interview. Do some people not have to submit originals to the NVC? I thought it was required.

As far as I can tell, all my wife should need to bring to her interview is her passport and "proof of relationship" items.

Is this correct?

[misterbigtoe 45]

it simply means that if you submitted the certified copy of an original civil document to the NVC, you should bring the actual original document to the interview along with all you relationship evidence and so forth.

[Brusik 11]

it simply means that if you submitted the certified copy of an original civil document to the NVC, you should bring the actual original document to the interview along with all you relationship evidence and so forth.

My wife has original and she is sending me another set of originals.. Her set should be good for interview??

[misterbigtoe 45]

Are they real originals..........................meaning duplicates issued by the original civil agency.............

For example an original birth certificate was issued by a government office that registers births. there is only one original unless the government office will give a duplicate. A certified copy is a photocopy of the original that is certified by an official usually with a stamp or seal and signature.

You have to send to the NVC original documents or certifed copies of documents. For any certified copy you sent to NVC, you must take the original to the interview.

[xelance 31]

and if you dont have the original, you are screwed or what? Some countries dont even give out original birth certificates, EVER... all you can get are the certified copies.

[rob11715 6]

Are they real originals..........................meaning duplicates issued by the original civil agency.............

For example an original birth certificate was issued by a government office that registers births. there is only one original unless the government office will give a duplicate. A certified copy is a photocopy of the original that is certified by an official usually with a stamp or seal and signature.

You have to send to the NVC original documents or certifed copies of documents. For any certified copy you sent to NVC, you must take the original to the interview.

OK, the copies we sent were issued by the government (not a photocopy), but they have "duplicate" stamped on them. So guess this counts as an original? Well in any case, I think I'll have my wife bring everything she has (she did get this type of copy of most the documents). I still have our original marriage certificate that has an expired apostille attached to it. She was worried about sending this even though they don't need the apostille. Guess I'll send it to her just in case.

Thanks for your replies!

Edited February 15, 2011 by rob11715

[misterbigtoe 45]

and if you dont have the original, you are screwed or what? Some countries dont even give out original birth certificates, EVER... all you can get are the certified copies.

The consulate in the country where the interview will take place should be familiar with the peculiarities of document availability.

OK, the copies we sent were issued by the government (not a photocopy), but they have "duplicate" stamped on them. So guess this counts as an original? Well in any case, I think I'll have my wife bring everything she has (she did get this type of copy of most the documents). I still have our original marriage certificate that has an expired apostille attached to it. She was worried about sending this even though they don't need the apostille. Guess I'll send it to her just in case.

Thanks for your replies!

sounds like a good plan! A document issued by the original authority and marked as a duplicate should be as good as an original as it is not merely a copy of the original, but a duplicate of (identical to) the original.

Edited February 15, 2011 by misterbigtoe

[Nataliya-Ron 7]

The consulate in the country where the interview will take place should be familiar with the peculiarities of document availability.

sounds like a good plan! A document issued by the original authority and marked as a duplicate should be as good as an original as it is not merely a copy of the original, but a duplicate of (identical to) the original.

TO be 100% sure

Contact the US Embassy and ask them directly what

they require, and what you have to show them an ask

if these are acceptable for their use is the safe way

Contact the Visa department of he us Embassy your dealing with

you can contact an also fine online at the Embassy your delaing with

or call them also.

Good Luck

[DanTes 21]

Don't have a clue about other embassies, but U.S. embassy in Manila will ONLY ACCEPT NSO copies of civil documents.