Original documents required? or not?!

[KoulioTex 0]

Hi all! First post here. Apologize if this has been asked and answered, but I can't find it....

I'm a US citizen applying for parents to immigrate (IR5). Their I-130s have been approved.

I read through the NVC guides folks have posted here and searched the forums - and the web in general - I can't figure out if originals of beneficiaries birth and marriage certificates need to be submitted to the NVC? It says on the NVC website that the "originals or certified copies" (which are basically duplicates of the originals) are needed, but then on the embassy's page under "Interview Guidelines" it says to bring originals to the interview *if not previously sent to the NVC*. Here: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/iv-relatives.html%C2'>

So, which is it?

I'd rather avoid mailing 60+ year old originals if possible, but not if it will cause a delay. Also, the parents have the originals with them, so mailing them to the NVC would mean going to visit first, getting them, bringing them back and mailing them....

Anyone care to weigh in on what the right approach is?

Many thanks! And glad to have this as an awesome resource!

[CowBoE 429]

Hi all! First post here. Apologize if this has been asked and answered, but I can't find it....

I'm a US citizen applying for parents to immigrate (IR5). Their I-130s have been approved.

I read through the NVC guides folks have posted here and searched the forums - and the web in general - I can't figure out if originals of beneficiaries birth and marriage certificates need to be submitted to the NVC? It says on the NVC website that the "originals or certified copies" (which are basically duplicates of the originals) are needed, but then on the embassy's page under "Interview Guidelines" it says to bring originals to the interview *if not previously sent to the NVC*. Here:

So, which is it?

I'd rather avoid mailing 60+ year old originals if possible, but not if it will cause a delay. Also, the parents have the originals with them, so mailing them to the NVC would mean going to visit first, getting them, bringing them back and mailing them....

Anyone care to weigh in on what the right approach is?

Many thanks! And glad to have this as an awesome resource!

Certified copy is good as original.

In all of our processing so far, we've sent certified copies

and it's not been a problem.

You are lucky you parents still have the original,

most don't have it, and they would have to acquire a certified copy.

But note that certified copy is something that is typically stamped by the certified entity/authority,

and make sure its a NOT a zerox copy.

Edited July 21, 2014 by johnim

[KoulioTex 0]

Thanks! And I understand the difference between a certified copy (basically, a duplicate original) and a photocopy. But I'm still not clear: do you have to mail in the original with the AOS documents? If so, then why does the embassy say "bring it to the interview, unless you mailed it to NVC". In other words, how could you reach the point of the interview without having mailed it....if it says you have to mail it?

My head hurts lol

[sachin1 42]

DO NOT SEND them original.

back in 1998 when my mother file for my brother I did STUPID mistake and send them original.

I went to immigration office, filed same form three time, called many time but never got it back.

this was green-card holder file and my borther got married so I had to put new file when my mom become citizan.

if NVC wants original they will tell you to bring it at interview.

[Ian H. 207]

It's probably outdated instructions, because I think several years ago you didn't HAVE to submit the documents to the NVC. You usually just brought everything the day of the interview. I always send them in to the NVC to avoid any delays. They will mail them to the consulate and the consul will have them there on the day of the interview along with everything else you submit. Also, I just want to clarify you don't need to send in the original first birth certificate that they ever had. I would order a new birth certificate, certified of course, long form, to be sent to the NVC. That's what many people do.

Thanks! And I understand the difference between a certified copy (basically, a duplicate original) and a photocopy. But I'm still not clear: do you have to mail in the original with the AOS documents? If so, then why does the embassy say "bring it to the interview, unless you mailed it to NVC". In other words, how could you reach the point of the interview without having mailed it....if it says you have to mail it?

My head hurts lol

[Ian H. 207]

According to your timeline, you're from Russia so here is a link for obtaining Russian birth certificates. If your parents aren't from Russia, just type the name of the country they were born in in the little search box near the top.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/RS.html

[KoulioTex 0]

Thanks! It makes perfect sense. I was hoping to avoid ordering certified duplicates/copies - it seems like something you do only when the original is lost. But I guess it's the way to go since the alternative is mailing the originals....