Had my GC interview today

[gc2012 1]

We had our interview today mrng in Newark. Went on for 15 mins. Officer asked qns to her and me about each other. Which was fine. She asked for joint account docs or tax returns documents or nething together. The only thing we had was home lease as we r just married 4 months and we did taxes separate and banks and phones r separate too.

I did have last 12 months of her bank stmts which has our common address and my last 12 months of paystubs with same address.

We showed her our pictures. Wedding pictures which was in court as religious wedding will be done in India in feb. Other pictures of us spending time together, me with her parents and her spending time with mine when they were visiting.

I had attached a colored print out of my birth certificate with initial application which she asked for but i didnt have because back in those days the birth certificates used to be handwritten and didn't look professional. In india high school diploma is considered to be replacement for it. I did show that to her but she wasnt convinced with her.

So finally she kept my lease, few pictures, and all my paystubs and gave us another date (Sept 14) to bring my original birth certificate. I have already requested my family to send it here. But what i am curious to know is why did she keep these documents? Does she want to do investigation meanwhile, not that i care but i am curious.

[Thomas and Kristi 17]

We had our interview today mrng in Newark. Went on for 15 mins. Officer asked qns to her and me about each other. Which was fine. She asked for joint account docs or tax returns documents or nething together. The only thing we had was home lease as we r just married 4 months and we did taxes separate and banks and phones r separate too.

I did have last 12 months of her bank stmts which has our common address and my last 12 months of paystubs with same address.

We showed her our pictures. Wedding pictures which was in court as religious wedding will be done in India in feb. Other pictures of us spending time together, me with her parents and her spending time with mine when they were visiting.

I had attached a colored print out of my birth certificate with initial application which she asked for but i didnt have because back in those days the birth certificates used to be handwritten and didn't look professional. In india high school diploma is considered to be replacement for it. I did show that to her but she wasnt convinced with her.

So finally she kept my lease, few pictures, and all my paystubs and gave us another date (Sept 14) to bring my original birth certificate. I have already requested my family to send it here. But what i am curious to know is why did she keep these documents? Does she want to do investigation meanwhile, not that i care but i am curious.

I believe the stuff you bring in become part of your file which is why she kept it. You should always make copies of things for them just in case you don't get it back (always take your original with you to the interview as well). Before you go back in, make a copy of your Birth Certificate to bring with you as well as the original. Best of luck! I wouldn't fret too much.

[MrsNotBonJovi 18]

We had our interview today mrng in Newark. Went on for 15 mins. Officer asked qns to her and me about each other. Which was fine. She asked for joint account docs or tax returns documents or nething together. The only thing we had was home lease as we r just married 4 months and we did taxes separate and banks and phones r separate too.

I did have last 12 months of her bank stmts which has our common address and my last 12 months of paystubs with same address.

We showed her our pictures. Wedding pictures which was in court as religious wedding will be done in India in feb. Other pictures of us spending time together, me with her parents and her spending time with mine when they were visiting.

I had attached a colored print out of my birth certificate with initial application which she asked for but i didnt have because back in those days the birth certificates used to be handwritten and didn't look professional. In india high school diploma is considered to be replacement for it. I did show that to her but she wasnt convinced with her.

So finally she kept my lease, few pictures, and all my paystubs and gave us another date (Sept 14) to bring my original birth certificate. I have already requested my family to send it here. But what i am curious to know is why did she keep these documents? Does she want to do investigation meanwhile, not that i care but i am curious.

It is normal for the officer to keep those documents in her file. Usually, people make copies to give during interview. If you did not have copies, they will keep the originals. Nothing to worry about.But the birth certificate is a critical piece of evidence. You need to make all efforts to get it and if you are still unable to get it by your next interview date, you should at least be able to demonstrate that you made the maximum possible effort to get it. Else you will be denied. High school diplomas are not enough evidence.

I am from India too and interviewed at Newark and had the same issue as you. I have posted my experience here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/372590-aos-approved-at-newark-nj-the-devil-is-in-the-details/page__p__5442450__fromsearch__1#entry5442450

[gc2012 1]

I believe the stuff you bring in become part of your file which is why she kept it. You should always make copies of things for them just in case you don't get it back (always take your original with you to the interview as well). Before you go back in, make a copy of your Birth Certificate to bring with you as well as the original. Best of luck! I wouldn't fret too much.

It is normal for the officer to keep those documents in her file. Usually, people make copies to give during interview. If you did not have copies, they will keep the originals. Nothing to worry about.But the birth certificate is a critical piece of evidence. You need to make all efforts to get it and if you are still unable to get it by your next interview date, you should at least be able to demonstrate that you made the maximum possible effort to get it. Else you will be denied. High school diplomas are not enough evidence.

I am from India too and interviewed at Newark and had the same issue as you. I have posted my experience here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/372590-aos-approved-at-newark-nj-the-devil-is-in-the-details/page__p__5442450__fromsearch__1#entry5442450

I am very relieved now. I was concerned if they want to verify information because of lack of proof. I even went ahead and immediately called my landlord to tell him that if they get a call from unknown number then he better pick it up lol... Anyway, i do have original birth certificate and i will take it on sept 14th. I will go ahead and join her on my bank account meanwhile.

[MrsNotBonJovi 18]

I am very relieved now. I was concerned if they want to verify information because of lack of proof. I even went ahead and immediately called my landlord to tell him that if they get a call from unknown number then he better pick it up lol... Anyway, i do have original birth certificate and i will take it on sept 14th. I will go ahead and join her on my bank account meanwhile.

LOL, I can understand.

Relax and all the best at the next interview!

[Dave&Judy 3]

LOL, I can understand.

Relax and all the best at the next interview!

I read your interview experience.

Thanks for posting in detail !

My date of Birth was not found at the local govt agency. So, i have 'Non-Traceable' certificate for birth certificate in punjabi(local language) and translated version in English.

Will that be sufficient?

Thanks for your !!!

[MrsNotBonJovi 18]

I read your interview experience.

Thanks for posting in detail !

My date of Birth was not found at the local govt agency. So, i have 'Non-Traceable' certificate for birth certificate in punjabi(local language) and translated version in English.

Will that be sufficient?

Thanks for your !!!

Yes, am thinking it should be fine. The US Department of State website itself lists the Non-Availability certificate as an acceptable document.

However, you all need to do the following things:

1) Get it translated into English (if it is in another language) and possibly have the translation notarized (not necessary but recommended). I see you already have this.

2) You also absolutely must get at least two affidavits of birth from family elders (those that are at least seven to ten years older than you) showing the following details: their name, age, nationality and address, their relationship with you, how they came to be aware of your birth (much better if they had physically been present during your birth) and confirming that your date of birth is what is stated in your visa application. Sample affidavits are available online if you look for them. These affidavits need to be notarized. I got mine done in Rs 20 judicial stamp paper, but am told that is not necessary. I would still recommend stamp paper, just to make it look properly official.

3) You need to back these up with as much secondary evidence as you can get, such as school certificates, any Indian government-issued document (such as PAN card and passport) showing your date of birth etc.

All of the above steps are absolutely necessary, at least they were in my case. So, I suggest leaving nothing to chance. All the best!

Edited August 18, 2012 by MrsNotBonJovi

[gc2012 1]

I believe the stuff you bring in become part of your file which is why she kept it. You should always make copies of things for them just in case you don't get it back (always take your original with you to the interview as well). Before you go back in, make a copy of your Birth Certificate to bring with you as well as the original. Best of luck! I wouldn't fret too much.

I just received my Birth Certificate and it does not have my name. Just the name of my parents and "Male Baby" mentioned for me, as in India ur not required to pick a name while getting certificate of birth. Can this be a problem?

[gc2012 1]

anyone?