DS-230 Japanese Police Certificate Photocopy

[highritz 0]

Hello Everyone,

My wife is a Japanese citizen applying for IR-1. We are completing the DS-230 form and one of the required documents is a Police Certificate. My wife received an original copy of her police certificate in sealed envelope that explicitly says "To be opened by the address only". It is addressed "To: The Authorities Concerned , United States of America". The Police Agency WILL NOT issue a second copy of the police certificate until the first one has expired. (image of the envelope can be found here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/72092-japanese-police-clearance-in-brown-envelope/)

I don't mind if NVC keeps the original copy, but their guidelines (here http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html) say we need to submit photocopies of all the civil documents in addition to the certified copies. I don't see how we can provide a photocopy of the police certificate since it says we shouldn't open it and since we can't get another copy. Will it be okay to submit just one original copy with no photocopy? Should we include a note explaining the situation? I'm just really not sure what to do...

Thanks!

[happiestmanalive 23]

Hello Everyone,

My wife is a Japanese citizen applying for IR-1. We are completing the DS-230 form and one of the required documents is a Police Certificate. My wife received an original copy of her police certificate in sealed envelope that explicitly says "To be opened by the address only". It is addressed "To: The Authorities Concerned , United States of America". The Police Agency WILL NOT issue a second copy of the police certificate until the first one has expired. (image of the envelope can be found here http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/72092-japanese-police-clearance-in-brown-envelope/)

I don't mind if NVC keeps the original copy, but their guidelines (here http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html) say we need to submit photocopies of all the civil documents in addition to the certified copies. I don't see how we can provide a photocopy of the police certificate since it says we shouldn't open it and since we can't get another copy. Will it be okay to submit just one original copy with no photocopy? Should we include a note explaining the situation? I'm just really not sure what to do...

Thanks!

Hey there, went through the same thing. You just need to submit the letter. No copies needed. They understand its sealed and you can't make copies. So don't sweat this one. Copy everything you can and you should be good. Ganbatte, ne!

Edited August 7, 2012 by happiestmanalive

[highritz 0]

Okay great! Thanks you so much for the help!

[Saylin 1,605]

Hello Everyone,

My wife is a Japanese citizen applying for IR-1. We are completing the DS-230 form and one of the required documents is a Police Certificate. My wife received an original copy of her police certificate in sealed envelope that explicitly says "To be opened by the address only". It is addressed "To: The Authorities Concerned , United States of America". The Police Agency WILL NOT issue a second copy of the police certificate until the first one has expired. (image of the envelope can be found here http://www.visajourn...brown-envelope/)

I don't mind if NVC keeps the original copy, but their guidelines (here http://travel.state..../info_3195.html) say we need to submit photocopies of all the civil documents in addition to the certified copies. I don't see how we can provide a photocopy of the police certificate since it says we shouldn't open it and since we can't get another copy. Will it be okay to submit just one original copy with no photocopy? Should we include a note explaining the situation? I'm just really not sure what to do...

Thanks!

With the IV package, you only need to submit photocopies of birth and marriage certificates (and divorce/military, if applicable). The reason for the photocopies is so that you can get the originals/certified copies back at the interview. But you wouldn't be getting the police certificate back at the interview anyways (they keep it), so a photocopy is pointless. Just send the original police certificate and you're good to go.