Send her my ORIGINAL birth certificate per interview???

[andrew&keiko 0]

Just curious if it is necessary to send my actual original birth certificate to my fiancee who will be interviewing at the US embassy in Tokyo in the near future. Or will a copy of front and back suffice? Much thanks to any help in advance! Best of luck to all of you!

Andrew

[Dan J 277]

Just curious if it is necessary to send my actual original birth certificate to my fiancee who will be interviewing at the US embassy in Tokyo in the near future. Or will a copy of front and back suffice? Much thanks to any help in advance! Best of luck to all of you!

Andrew

Unless the consulate or embassy asks for it specifically, you may not need to provide it at all. They usually only require the BC of the beneficiary.

[sailorinaz 0]

Just curious if it is necessary to send my actual original birth certificate to my fiancee who will be interviewing at the US embassy in Tokyo in the near future. Or will a copy of front and back suffice? Much thanks to any help in advance! Best of luck to all of you!

Andrew

I had to have my original for the interview. Made me very nervous. I went to the interview and got it back.

[Otto 83]

Just curious if it is necessary to send my actual original birth certificate to my fiancee who will be interviewing at the US embassy in Tokyo in the near future. Or will a copy of front and back suffice? Much thanks to any help in advance! Best of luck to all of you!

Andrew

Andrew,

Most (although not everyone) have sent a copy of their BC with their petition - if so, they (at the interview) may ask to see the original/certified-copy. This is true of any copies you submitted (divorce decree, evidence, etc.). They may ask for it whether submitted originally or not - not a bad idea to have to original with your fiancé in Tokyo just in case.

[Dakine 26]

Just curious if it is necessary to send my actual original birth certificate to my fiancee who will be interviewing at the US embassy in Tokyo in the near future. Or will a copy of front and back suffice? Much thanks to any help in advance! Best of luck to all of you!

Andrew

When in doubt with what's required in this whole process!

Do what you think will have to most power with "The Man".

More and bigger ammo the better!

[pushbrk 13,555]

Just curious if it is necessary to send my actual original birth certificate to my fiancee who will be interviewing at the US embassy in Tokyo in the near future. Or will a copy of front and back suffice? Much thanks to any help in advance! Best of luck to all of you!

Andrew

Andrew,

Most (although not everyone) have sent a copy of their BC with their petition - if so, they (at the interview) may ask to see the original/certified-copy. This is true of any copies you submitted (divorce decree, evidence, etc.). They may ask for it whether submitted originally or not - not a bad idea to have to original with your fiancé in Tokyo just in case.

I would obtain a "Certified Copy" of the birth certificate. That's all most of us have anyway. Send that to have on hand if asked for at the interview, along with a photocopy of it. If they ask to see the "original" Certified Copy, they won't keep it.

[StillThePrettiest 4]

Unless the consulate or embassy asks for it specifically, you may not need to provide it at all. They usually only require the BC of the beneficiary.

(bolding mine)

Is this right? it's not what seems to be indicated in the guides... any mention of a birth certificate I've seen has been for the petitioner, to verify citizenship. Anyone able to clarify? if I need my birth certificate, someone's going to have to find it in Australia, and send it to me here in London, and I'd like to get onto it quickly; if I don't need it though, I think I'd rather not bother!

[Dakine 26]

Unless the consulate or embassy asks for it specifically, you may not need to provide it at all. They usually only require the BC of the beneficiary.

(bolding mine)

Is this right? it's not what seems to be indicated in the guides... any mention of a birth certificate I've seen has been for the petitioner, to verify citizenship. Anyone able to clarify? if I need my birth certificate, someone's going to have to find it in Australia, and send it to me here in London, and I'd like to get onto it quickly; if I don't need it though, I think I'd rather not bother!

Check if you can order one [2 better] online.

[StillThePrettiest 4]

but why? this is the first suggestion I've seen that I'd even need one; why go to that trouble if it's not necessary? I've read the guides a few times and never seen it mentioned

come to that, I can't even think why they would need it for the beneficiary... to prove nationality? passport would do that... to prove name? ditto... it just doesn't make sense

Edited July 23, 2007 by StillThePrettiest

[dejima 1]

Just curious if it is necessary to send my actual original birth certificate to my fiancee who will be interviewing at the US embassy in Tokyo in the near future. Or will a copy of front and back suffice? Much thanks to any help in advance! Best of luck to all of you!

Andrew

I only have the copy of my husband's birth certificate, incase if needed ;his passport copy and report of divorce

issued by US trial court. Unless the Embassy in Tokyo specified that they need the original copy I wont bring one.

You may not need too.

KayArt

[pushbrk 13,555]

but why? this is the first suggestion I've seen that I'd even need one; why go to that trouble if it's not necessary? I've read the guides a few times and never seen it mentioned

come to that, I can't even think why they would need it for the beneficiary... to prove nationality? passport would do that... to prove name? ditto... it just doesn't make sense

Generally, a photocopy of the USC's birth certificate (Passport copies can be substituted.) is submitted with the petition. The Consular officer can ask to see the original of any photocopy submitted, so the applicant should have those on hand for the interview.

Birth Certificates don't prove your name by themselves. They are used to prove you are a US Citizen. The beneficiary/applicant's birth certificate is used to verify their birth place, date and parental data for comparison to the data on the petition and visa application as well as any other documents where that same data may appear.

The Consular officers may not ask to see any original documents but if they do, and they are not available, there may be a delay in issuing the visa. Make your decisions accordingly.

[StillThePrettiest 4]

thank you for the reply, but I don't think I made my question clear - I know the petitioner's birth certificate is required, and intend to take the original; as you say, why mess about and give them more opportunity to delay us? my question was about needing the birth certificate of the beneficiary, which I haven't seen mentioned anywhere other than this thread - and yes, I checked the guides again before posting this!

if this is in fact needed, of course I will take steps to get it sent to me, but then this should also be added to the checklists here because it seems to be missing... perhaps this is less of a big deal for most, who will attend interviews in their home countries, but I know I'm not the only one living abroad, so this would be useful information to more than just me : )

or perhaps I've misunderstood the guides, and they only show what the petitioner needs to send the beneficiary before the interview, but then in that case perhaps a more comprehensive list could be published?

I hope that all makes sense : )

[chris4gretchen 1]

thank you for the reply, but I don't think I made my question clear - I know the petitioner's birth certificate is required, and intend to take the original; as you say, why mess about and give them more opportunity to delay us? my question was about needing the birth certificate of the beneficiary, which I haven't seen mentioned anywhere other than this thread - and yes, I checked the guides again before posting this!

if this is in fact needed, of course I will take steps to get it sent to me, but then this should also be added to the checklists here because it seems to be missing... perhaps this is less of a big deal for most, who will attend interviews in their home countries, but I know I'm not the only one living abroad, so this would be useful information to more than just me : )

or perhaps I've misunderstood the guides, and they only show what the petitioner needs to send the beneficiary before the interview, but then in that case perhaps a more comprehensive list could be published?

I hope that all makes sense : )

The Petitioner (US Citizen) usually sends a copy of his BC or Passport when the petition is filed in the USA. the Benificiary has their BC at the interview with all the other forms, proofs etc. At the interview the embassy can ask for the originals of both BC if they feel its needed. if your girl cant produce it, then there will be a delay. like was posted before most just get a certified copy online. the embassy might not ask for it.

[pushbrk 13,555]

thank you for the reply, but I don't think I made my question clear - I know the petitioner's birth certificate is required, and intend to take the original; as you say, why mess about and give them more opportunity to delay us? my question was about needing the birth certificate of the beneficiary, which I haven't seen mentioned anywhere other than this thread - and yes, I checked the guides again before posting this!

if this is in fact needed, of course I will take steps to get it sent to me, but then this should also be added to the checklists here because it seems to be missing... perhaps this is less of a big deal for most, who will attend interviews in their home countries, but I know I'm not the only one living abroad, so this would be useful information to more than just me : )

or perhaps I've misunderstood the guides, and they only show what the petitioner needs to send the beneficiary before the interview, but then in that case perhaps a more comprehensive list could be published?

I hope that all makes sense : )

It does. Perhaps you missed this in my answer to your "why" question.

The beneficiary/applicant's birth certificate is used to verify their birth place, date and parental data for comparison to the data on the petition and visa application as well as any other documents where that same data may appear.

The requirement may vary with the Consulate but you will want the equivalent of a Certified Copy of the beneficiary's birth certificate for numerous reasons after immigration. If you don't have one. You need to get one.

[StillThePrettiest 4]

no, I saw that too, but I'm just mystified that this appears in none of the guides when it is evidently important... or have I missed something else obvious?

thank you again for your answers (and your patience) : )