how much of the stuff has to be absolutely positively original?

[cynicalforowngood 0]

Hi all.

I just sent my fiancé in the UK my half of the application stuff with the financial information included. I asked my dad to be a joint sponsor (to which he consented) and included copies of the W-2/1099 etc, 2005 tax return and the first pages of his passport showing his picture and signature. We also included copies of letters from the bank regarding our financial status.

My fiancé is about to send the whole thing off to London pre-interview but I am freaking out because it says that all documentation must be original along with one photocopy.

So does that mean I have to send him my parents' 1040 and W-2 (originals) AND his passport and/or naturalization certificate? What exactly must absolutely be original, and what is ok to send as a photocopy?

[Erik 0]

Hi all.

I just sent my fiancé in the UK my half of the application stuff with the financial information included. I asked my dad to be a joint sponsor (to which he consented) and included copies of the W-2/1099 etc, 2005 tax return and the first pages of his passport showing his picture and signature. We also included copies of letters from the bank regarding our financial status.

My fiancé is about to send the whole thing off to London pre-interview but I am freaking out because it says that all documentation must be original along with one photocopy.

So does that mean I have to send him my parents' 1040 and W-2 (originals) AND his passport and/or naturalization certificate? What exactly must absolutely be original, and what is ok to send as a photocopy?

By all accounts a copy of the Passport, and copies of income tax returns are fine. I wouldn't imagine the Embassy would think a co-sponser would actually send they're real Passport.

Bank letter, employment letter, notorized I-134, copies of Passport and or birthcertificate, copies of past income tax returns, should be all you need

[Mew 0]

As Erik said, the notarized I-134, the bank letter and the letter from your employer should be originals. The original tax returns have been filed with IRS, no? So, transcripts work fine. A copy of the USC's birth certificate or passport for proof of citizenship should suffice (I know originals are not required in Brazil, that much I know).

Be sure to make copies of every original document you submit.

[Twomoles 8]

And co-sponsor passport and birth certificate too!

(Heard somewhere some had problems with this)

[Mew 0]

And co-sponsor passport and birth certificate too!

(Heard somewhere some had problems with this)

Good catch, Ieva!

[cynicalforowngood 0]

And co-sponsor passport and birth certificate too!

(Heard somewhere some had problems with this)

You said that the co-sponsor passport and birth certificate have to be originals too.

I don't see why that is. (Or maybe I do but I am just incredibly stressed). My dad wasn't born in the US, he was born in the Philippines. So while I know when he was born, I don't know where he kept the original birth certificate. I know his naturalization certificate is here in our home. My assumption from reading the paperwork about umpteen times was that if one was using a co-sponsor a copy of the naturalization certificate or birth certificate or passport was sufficient.

I am frustrated because I thought I had everything done, now I find out that apparently my dad's original passport is needed as well. (For lack of a better term, ####### is that?!) I hope that he doesn't have to travel out of the country anytime within the next two months because who knows how long the people at the embassy will take to let my fiancé know of his interview!

[Mew 0]

And co-sponsor passport and birth certificate too!

(Heard somewhere some had problems with this)

You said that the co-sponsor passport and birth certificate have to be originals too.

I don't see why that is. (Or maybe I do but I am just incredibly stressed). My dad wasn't born in the US, he was born in the Philippines. So while I know when he was born, I don't know where he kept the original birth certificate. I know his naturalization certificate is here in our home. My assumption from reading the paperwork about umpteen times was that if one was using a co-sponsor a copy of the naturalization certificate or birth certificate or passport was sufficient.

I am frustrated because I thought I had everything done, now I find out that apparently my dad's original passport is needed as well. (For lack of a better term, ####### is that?!) I hope that he doesn't have to travel out of the country anytime within the next two months because who knows how long the people at the embassy will take to let my fiancé know of his interview!

I don't mean to talk for Ieva, but I guess she meant that the OP shouldn't forget to send proof of citizenship of the co-sponsor together with the I-134 that they have to fill out.

[Erik 0]

And co-sponsor passport and birth certificate too!

(Heard somewhere some had problems with this)

You said that the co-sponsor passport and birth certificate have to be originals too.

I don't see why that is. (Or maybe I do but I am just incredibly stressed). My dad wasn't born in the US, he was born in the Philippines. So while I know when he was born, I don't know where he kept the original birth certificate. I know his naturalization certificate is here in our home. My assumption from reading the paperwork about umpteen times was that if one was using a co-sponsor a copy of the naturalization certificate or birth certificate or passport was sufficient.

I am frustrated because I thought I had everything done, now I find out that apparently my dad's original passport is needed as well. (For lack of a better term, ####### is that?!) I hope that he doesn't have to travel out of the country anytime within the next two months because who knows how long the people at the embassy will take to let my fiancé know of his interview!

I don't mean to talk for Ieva, but I guess she meant that the OP shouldn't forget to send proof of citizenship of the co-sponsor together with the I-134 that they have to fill out.

Right, and I believe she was talking about having the co-sponser send "copies" of they're passport, or certificate... If a co-sponser had to send they're original passport, or birth certificate over seas, I would imagine many people would have a hard time getting one

[cynicalforowngood 0]

For purposes of clarification, this is what I sent:

Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support): These were both notarized, one for myself, and one for my dad. Because my dad is the joint sponsor, I photocopied the first page of his passport.

Forms I-864 and I-864A: Again, one form for myself and one for my dad; then my dad's I-864A (which is contract regarding support). I sent a transcript of my 05 tax return which includes W-2 information. On my dad's end, I sent a copy of his 1040 and his W-2.

Original letters from the bank for both my dad and myself, regarding how long we've had accounts, the amounts, good standing, blah blah.

Copies of pay stubs from present employer and my previous employer, just in case.

Proof of enrollment (I returned to school)

And a CERTIFIED COPY of MY (I am the petitioner) birth certificate.

I can't think of anything else that I've possibly missed as far as the financial information is concerned.

Edited September 5, 2006 by cynicalforowngood