NVC - ORIGINAL or COPIES - clarification

[Chrys and Dave 1]

VJ Friends...

I've read several topics on the NVC needing original documents (my case is my wife's divorce document) or submit copies. I submitted a color copy of the original and certified translation prior however I recieved an RFE wanting "...Evidence must be in the form of original document issued by a competent authority, or certified copies bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority".

Well, the color copy I sent previously has all of the stamps, signatures, and authorizations. Is this not a "certified copies bearing the appropriae seal"?

Also, In Brazil on their divorce document from the cartario, it does not say the word "FINAL" as in the RFE words "If the marriage end by divorce, the divorce decreee that is submitted must be a FINAL divorce decree". The document states a DIVORCIO JUDICIAL CONSENSUAL, Judicial Consensual Divorce. My question, how else can it be proven to the NVC that her divorce IS final other than what is on the divorce decree from the cartorio (courthouse)?

We are so close to getting our interview date. Your experience and thoughts are warmyly welcomed.

Thank you

Dave

[Hollyday 122]

A certified copy is a copy issued by the same authority that issued the original. It's not even a notarized one.

[florida4life 29]

Certified copy is the copy you get from the court with the original seal or stamp you cannot copy it off your copy machine at home and say its a certified copy. They mean the copy you get from the court itself just like an original. Well you need to get the divorce paper stamp by the court in Brazil

[M&G 6]

You probably need to send them a new copy of her divórcio judicial consensual, or as we say here, a "segunda via" of the document, which you fiancée can obtain from the cartório. And I guess you'll need to have it translated as well.

And as florida4life said, send them the original segunda via, not a copy of it.

[Chrys and Dave 1]

Thanks all for your response. I wanted to shorten the RFE response cycle but to be safe I'll have my wife Sedex an original or segunda via with all original stamps and signatures.

Thanks again and best wishes to all.

Dave