Original Documents?

[joshuah57 14]

Looking ahead to the packets that will be sent, I see there are times that "original" documents have to be sent. My wife has an "original" birth certificate, but she is hesitant to send it for fear of loss since it is very hard to replace. In fact, she can only get the "original" by going to the city where she was born. Not so easy to do as she is living in Germany. What she can get is an official copy through offices in Romania. Would that be considered "original" for this case? For example, my birth certificate is technically a "copy" since my town of birth holds the "original". They copy it to an official certificate with a stamp and signature. Is that not what she would get when she would receive an official copy?

If we do have to send the "original", do we get it back at the interview? What kind of time period would they have it? Has there been cases where they have lost the documentation?

[Ryan H 3,791]

If we do have to send the "original", do we get it back at the interview?

Send a photocopy along with any "original" document you send; the "original" will be returned at the interview.

You need a Romania specific answer as to whether or not the document that can be obtained through offices in Romania would be considered valid.

[joshuah57 14]

Does anyone else have anything to add? Has anyone had experience with this with their or their beneficiary's country? I did find this information on the state's website: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/RO.html. It does sound like there is 2 different kinds of birth certificates there too.

"

Birth Certificate

Available. (Certificat de Nastere) Document is issued by the Office of Vital Statistics (Oficiul Starii Civile) of the local Mayor's Office.

This certificate is the sole legal proof of the date and place of birth of an applicant. As many copies as desired may be made thereof and if authenticated by a Notary (Notari Public), they are acceptable by Romanian authorities. The original birth certificate is issued free of charge. There is a fee for copying and authenticating."

[joshuah57 14]

One more question quick, if a person has questions like this, could a person call the NVC and actually talk to someone that could provide an answer?

[silverjetplane 34]

Looking ahead to the packets that will be sent, I see there are times that "original" documents have to be sent. My wife has an "original" birth certificate, but she is hesitant to send it for fear of loss since it is very hard to replace. In fact, she can only get the "original" by going to the city where she was born. Not so easy to do as she is living in Germany. What she can get is an official copy through offices in Romania. Would that be considered "original" for this case? For example, my birth certificate is technically a "copy" since my town of birth holds the "original". They copy it to an official certificate with a stamp and signature. Is that not what she would get when she would receive an official copy?

If we do have to send the "original", do we get it back at the interview? What kind of time period would they have it? Has there been cases where they have lost the documentation?

You have to send originals or certified copies - those copies being certified by the issuing authority, in most cases. Basically, you would have to get the same authority (apparently the Office of Vital Statistics for Romania) to issue a copy of the certificate. You will absolutely want to check to see the specifics for Romania - try some searches of the forums or with Google.

Also, if you are worried about lost documentation, I would definitely do a search of the forums for "lost my f****** documents?!?!" or something similar to see that NVC does lose documents, although the frequency of which I am not sure. When we sent our originals, I attached labels to the front and bak of the documents that said BENEFICIARY NAME, CASE NUMBER, DOB, ETC so, if misplaced, they could be reunited with the original packet. As another poster mentioned, you will get the originals back at the interview.

Does anyone else have anything to add? Has anyone had experience with this with their or their beneficiary's country? I did find this information on the state's website: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/RO.html. It does sound like there is 2 different kinds of birth certificates there too.

"

Birth Certificate

Available. (Certificat de Nastere) Document is issued by the Office of Vital Statistics (Oficiul Starii Civile) of the local Mayor's Office.

This certificate is the sole legal proof of the date and place of birth of an applicant. As many copies as desired may be made thereof and if authenticated by a Notary (Notari Public), they are acceptable by Romanian authorities. The original birth certificate is issued free of charge. There is a fee for copying and authenticating."

Wow, that couldn't be more confusing sounding. It looks like that certificate (Certificat de Nastere) is the only acceptable documentation. I'm not sure if it means you can ask for as many copies as you want or if you can make as many copies as you want. And I'm also not sure about what role the notary public would make in making those certified copies and not just notarized copies. Even if the Romanian authorities accept a notarized copy for a particular reason, it might not be the same for NVC. You definitely need more clarification about this. I would contact the US embassy there.

One more question quick, if a person has questions like this, could a person call the NVC and actually talk to someone that could provide an answer?

Give NVC a call... and then call two more times to verify that you are getting the same answer. I don't know if they will tell you anything more than the probable line that "All documents submitted must be originals. Refer to the NVC/State Department website for more information about country-specific documents, etc."

You could also contact the US embassy in Romania as they have certainly dealt with this before. They may be able to give you more specific information.