Original birth certificate at time of interview? It was already submitted to NVC!

[AstralEdge 2]

Hi guys!

My interview at the Montreal consulate is next week (september 19) and I just want to make sure i got all my ducks in a row!

At the NVC stage we have already submitted my original birth certificate and original police certificate as requested.

Now this information got me really confused:

Montreal appointment list

It states:

Birth Certificate, English translation and a photocopy.

Well... I've got a photocopy of the birth certificate aswell as a photocopy of the translation but the original of my birth certificate

was already submitted at the NVC stage! I don't have another one!

Right now this is stressing me like crazy as I only have one week to go!

Could someone please clarify this? I need to calm down

Also if anybody else has their interview on the same day as me, it would be nice to hear from you

Edited September 11, 2012 by Marie&Sam

[bsd058 296]

I guess no one is sure about what to do...

Try contacting the consulate at their email: Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov

They were quick to reply to my question when I emailed them a few months ago regarding medical examinations. I'm not sure of the rules in send emails to them, but if you put your file number and put URGENT in the email subject line, they might get back to you quickly. Try it in the meantime, and if someone else gets back to you with more advice, then at least you've done everything you can to find out.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Too late to mention, but never send originals, always send copies and bring originals to the interviews.

It's obviuously too late to obtain another copy from the province so since you have your photocopy, you can take that to the interview and make it clear to them that they have the original. If for some reason montreal has misplaced it they will let you know at that time and you may come away needing to obtain a new one from the province. If they have it you should ask for the original back and have them take a photocopy at the interview time.

Edited September 12, 2012 by Udella&Wiz

[Flames9_RN 358]

Back in 2004----I know on that last packet it send to bring in certain documents that I ALREADY had mailed in! I had extras so I brought them with me to the interview---BUT they were not required as they already had them!! Hopefully thats works out the same for you. Best of luck

[NikLR 13,220]

I just want to add that it's not too late to get a birth certificate. I live in Alberta and was born in BC. To get my passport I had to get a new birth certificate because my old one wasn't adequate (the cover THEY put on made the writing come off the paper.) I had to pay extra but I had mine in 3 days. If you live in the province it can be even easier, it just costs more money.

From everything I've read on this forum, it sounds like all your paperwork you've submitted will be there waiting for you. They probably don't send out very specific letters just generic "bring this stuff" to everyone for things like this. You'll be okay. If you want to get the extra birth certificate, jump on the net or go down to a service canada, or registry office and get one sent to you ASAP even if it costs more, at least for your own peace of mind.

Edited September 13, 2012 by NikiR

[bsd058 296]

I just want to add that it's not too late to get a birth certificate. I live in Alberta and was born in BC. To get my passport I had to get a new birth certificate because my old one wasn't adequate (the cover THEY put on made the writing come off the paper.) I had to pay extra but I had mine in 3 days. If you live in the province it can be even easier, it just costs more money.

From everything I've read on this forum, it sounds like all your paperwork you've submitted will be there waiting for you. They probably don't send out very specific letters just generic "bring this stuff" to everyone for things like this. You'll be okay. If you want to get the extra birth certificate, jump on the net or go down to a service canada, or registry office and get one sent to you ASAP even if it costs more, at least for your own peace of mind.

Ya, if you're really worried you could just order another original long form birth certificate. It costs a little extra to expedite, but it's worth it for peace of mind. I got mine within 3 business days, too. But it was the first time I ordered one.

[Marilyn. 340]

Too late to mention, but never send originals, always send copies and bring originals to the interviews.

It's obviuously too late to obtain another copy from the province so since you have your photocopy, you can take that to the interview and make it clear to them that they have the original. If for some reason montreal has misplaced it they will let you know at that time and you may come away needing to obtain a new one from the province. If they have it you should ask for the original back and have them take a photocopy at the interview time.

when applying for a Cr1 visa you are asked to send in the originals to the NVC.. at least that was the case when I went through the visa process..

[AstralEdge 2]

Thank you all!

That same day I decided to buy my own peace of mind for $51 ... I got a new long-form birth certificate expedited to me within 3 days!

I think I made the right decision... Even if I don't need it at the interview I plan to use it when renewing my passport in a few months from now.

I went to my medical at Medisys this morning so I will try to find the right place on this website to write a review!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

If you have already sent the original in to Montreal, then just bring copies with you. Normally you would send in copies, and then at the interview you would - if requested - present the original so they can compare the two and make sure the copies are exact. If you have copies of the documents with you, you can request to have the original personal document like a birth certificate returned and substitute the copy for it. The police record original is supposed to be submitted and they will keep that. The Consular officer asked to see the original of my birth certificate and of my now husbands' divorce decrees. Fortunately, I had them with me (I had submitted copies). They took them, looked at them, and then returned the originals to me.

As you continue through the immigration process make sure that you only submit copies of documents - not originals - unless they specifically state it must be the original. Then, if you are called for an interview, bring the originals of the copies you submitted with you in case they want to compare. They usually don't, but US legislation gives them that right so it is best to be prepared.

Good luck at the interview.

[Marilyn. 340]

As I mentioned earlier, if you are applying for the CR1 visa, at the NVC stage they ask for the original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A certified copy is what you get when you order the Birth Certificate.

Same thing with the marriage certificate. Our lovely lawyer sent in a copy and we got an RFE because they wanted the original or certified copy..

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1