NVC Document Question re: originals/copies

[Lee & Lei 42]

So, I have read and heard conflicting information from multiple sources regarding whether you need originals/certified copies for the NVC requirements or if clear photocopies are acceptable.

Background: My wife (the beneficiary) is from the Philippines. I am the American sponsor/petitioner. We both live together in Kuwait, and are applying from Kuwait. We are just now beginning the I-130 process, but I want to make sure all our ducks are in a row so hopefully things go as smoothly as possible. Knowledge is power.

1) She does not have her original birth certificate anymore, only NSO issued copies. She has two copies issued by the NSO, one with red ribbon from the DFA and one without. Which should I send to the NVC and which should I keep for the interview later? Or will they accept a photocopy of it?

2) We were married in a civil ceremony in Kuwait, and as such, our marriage certificate is originally in Arabic. We had it translated to English by a professional service, but is there anything else we need to do with this? Should we have it notarized? Also, how many copies should we obtain of the English translation? I have read USICS only accepts ORIGINALS of translations, so assuming that is true, we would need three copies, one for USICS, one for NVC, and one for the interview, right? Or is that not the case?

3) I only have one copy of my birth certificate as well -- do I need to obtain certified copies from the US or would NVC accept a photocopy?

Thanks for any information that anybody can provide.

Edited December 17, 2016 by knightofdight

[1004ron 3]

Only photocopies for the NVC and USICS.

For the interview you need to present the originals, and leave them with a photocopy.

For the translations look here: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/KU.html

The below quote is from the checklist I received.

All documents not in English or in the official language of the country in which the visa application will
be processed must be accompanied by a certified translation. Your translation must include a statement
signed by the translator that states the following:
- Translation is accurate, and
- Translator is competent to translate.

[Lee & Lei 42]

About that... all my English translations have a stamp from the company stating "This is a certified true and accurate translation of the attached _______ (original document language)"

Would that be good enough? Or should I still have them hand-write somewhere that "I am competent to translate to English and this translation is accurate to the best of my knowledge"?

[Nhoj18 0]

Hello I was married as well in Philippine embassy in Kuwait. Did you get married there too? What marriage certificate did you sent them?