ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (… and others)

WHAT ARE THEY & WHEN ARE THEY NEEDED?

For every fiancé(e) visa case, the immigrant fiancé(e) will require several original documents at the interview with extra photocopies.   The consulate will not issue the visa without reviewing the original documents.  

All documents from foreign countries must match the NVC reciprocity schedules for that country!

 CLICK HERE to check your document by type and country. 

The immigrant fiancé(e) will also need to bring additional copies (bring 2 copies to be safe) of each original document.

WHAT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED?

1. 1. The US citizen’s original signed I-134 affidavit of support and supporting documents for each immigrant.  CLICK HERE to read more about this requirement.
      NOTE: The majority of the supporting documents, such as tax return, W2s, paystubs, etc. will not be originals.  However, the bank letter and letter from the employer should be original if possible. 
   2. Original new (signed within 30 days of interview) statement of intent to marry  – one for the US citizen and one for the immigrant fiancé(e). 
      1. SIMPLE Statement-of-Intent-to-Marry-US CITIZEN
      2. SIMPLE Statement-of-Intent-to-Marry-IMMIGRANT
   3. Original birth certificate for each immigrant.
   4. Passport style photographs for each immigrant: Two (2) COLOR front view photographs taken within the past six months.
   5. Originals or original stamp certified copies of all divorce decree, decrees of annulment or death certificates for prior spouses of either the US citizen or the immigrant fiancé(e).
   6. Original name change documents or sex change documents (if applicable) for each immigrant.
   7. Original certified court records for criminal history (if applicable) for each immigrant.
   8. Original police clearance letters for each immigrant over 15 years old.
      1. The police clearance letters must not be expired:
         1. They must not be expired due to the document itself indicating an expiration date, and;
         2. They must not be more than two years old.  Note: there is an exception to the two year rule in some cases at 9 FAM 504.4-4(A), but generally should not be used since the immigration officer always has the discretion to ask for a new one.  
      2. A police clearance letter is required from the following countries [when in doubt get more]:
         1. Country of current residence of the immigrant fiancé(e);
         2. Any country where the immigrant fiancé(e) is a citizen (if they have lived there longer than 6 months at any time), and;
         3. Any other country where the immigrant fiancé(e) has lived for one year or more after turning age 16.
   9. Certificate of Marital Status (if required by particular embassy). 
   10. Original Military Records (if applicable) for those having served in the military.

WHAT ELSE IS REQUIRED?

DO I NEED TO TRANSLATE THE DOCUMENTS?

Some consulates require that all documents are translated into English.  Other consulates will permit the document to be in either English or the native language of the country where the consulate is located. 

HOW DO I HAVE THE ATTORNEY REVIEW MY DOCUMENTS?

To make the most out of attorney review (if eligible – CLICK HERE to schedule), you should save your documents as individual PDF files with titles matching the descriptions above so that the attorney can quickly access them.  You should save the documents so that they are horizontal and easy to read.  You should save all of the documents in a single folder on your computer.