Is it safe to send original civil documents to NVC?

[open_mind 0]

Hi all,

New here, sorry if this has been answered before. I am filling out I-230 for my mom (she lives in Russia now) and I just realized I need to mail ORIGINAL copies of all documents, like birth certificate, marriage certificates, etc., for her and for me! I called NVC and they said only originals can be accepted, or so-called certified copies, which apparently are not photo copies certified by a notary. I visited a notary office and they refused to notarize the photo copies, based on a statement that it's is illegal in California. NVC told me I need to get a certified copy from a Russian office which issued the original (yeah, right...)

My mom and I have all required original documents, but I am so paranoid mailing them to NVC! They told me my mom can claim them back when is called for an interview in Moscow, but I so don't want to send the originals!!! Any solutions? Is it safe? has anyone had any problems getting them back?

Any help or helpful tips would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Darnell 8,478]

I say no, never, ever, send in originals to NVC when the interview is in Moscow.

Never, ever.

But lets wait for other folk to chime in, aye?

[ppihtr123 68]

I don't know Russia but tell mom to go get official copies while she is still there. get many official copies as you might need them later. after she gets more, then send the original to NVC knowing you already have more in her hands. as for you, you should be able to get more copies of stuff in the states if any of yours has been issued here.

[open_mind 0]

I don't know Russia but tell mom to go get official copies while she is still there. get many official copies as you might need them later. after she gets more, then send the original to NVC knowing you already have more in her hands. as for you, you should be able to get more copies of stuff in the states if any of yours has been issued here.

Thanks! Yeah, she was able to get notarized photo copies of her stuff in Russia. All my stuff has been issued in Russia and I don't know how to get copies that NVC will accept, other than contacting Russian agencies from here (USA), which I doubt will bring any luck.

So, the bottom line - I HAVE to send the originals? No other way around?

[ppihtr123 68]

yes. Send mom power of attorney for you and let her get more copies of your stuff there. We had a similar original problem as my wife is here in the states. she sent off a power of attorney after getting notarized to dad to deal with getting the originals....

[let-it-be 36]

yes. Send mom power of attorney for you and let her get more copies of your stuff there. We had a similar original problem as my wife is here in the states. she sent off a power of attorney after getting notarized to dad to deal with getting the originals....

Did NSO required the dad to present power of attorney for the certified copies of your wife's birth certificate? My mother was able to get certified copies of my birth certificate from the NSO without the power of attorney.

[let-it-be 36]

Disregard my above post, I just notice now in your signature(timeline) that the power of attorney are for the minor child's civil documents.

[apple21 953]

Use a reliable courier like FedEx, DHL or UPS. It should be safe to send in originals thru them.

We send original documents thru FedEx and UPS, from Philippines to NVC in New Hampshire and we have not encountered problems.

[open_mind 0]

apple21,

Yes, I trust Fedex or UPS, that's not the issue for me, I am more worried about getting my documents back from NVC.

Does anyone know about any problems getting the originals back from NVC?

[apple21 953]

apple21,

Yes, I trust Fedex or UPS, that's not the issue for me, I am more worried about getting my documents back from NVC.

Does anyone know about any problems getting the originals back from NVC?

As far as our personal experience goes, after the embassy interview they did not return the original documents that we sent to NVC. Those documents are filed in the visa packet that we received, the one on the sealed yellow envelope that was submitted to CBP at POE.

Before my family moved to the US we got a new batch of their original birth certificates. It is advisable to bring original docs to the US in case you might need them.

[let-it-be 36]

opps sorry I posted at the wrong thread.

Edited April 10, 2013 by let-it-be

[ppihtr123 68]

Disregard my above post, I just notice now in your signature(timeline) that the power of attorney are for the minor child's civil documents.

Yeah but after a day and reading it again I was not clear.

My wife sent power of attorney to her dad in PI to get NSO straightened out as they did not have recorded a court decision that that needed to show in NSO report which has to be done in person.

For PI NSO reports can be ordered over the internet from NSO and delivered to the US as I have done that for both my wife that lives here and my stepchildren that live there.

For the OP. a power of attorney wouldn't be needed for the your BC as mom is listed there. When I brought up Power of Attorney, I was thinking of your Marriage cert in Russia.

[let-it-be 36]

Yeah but after a day and reading it again I was not clear.

My wife sent power of attorney to her dad in PI to get NSO straightened out as they did not have recorded a court decision that that needed to show in NSO report which has to be done in person.

For PI NSO reports can be ordered over the internet from NSO and delivered to the US as I have done that for both my wife that lives here and my stepchildren that live there.

For the OP. a power of attorney wouldn't be needed for the your BC as mom is listed there. When I brought up Power of Attorney, I was thinking of your Marriage cert in Russia.

My mom was going to send me her civil documents for their IR-5 applications anyway so I had her get me a couple of NSO BC's when she went there to get hers & my dad. It only took like 4 days to send it to me thru LBC/DHL & cost only over a thousand pesos versus a 6 - 8 weeks delivery & $20 per document in ordering it online. The IR-5 process was the only time that I needed two original/certified copies for any immigration process or transactions. In all this years I got by with just one certified copy of my BC for my own record.