Matildaknot

Hi..does anyone know if a co-sponsor's birth certificate is required at the
embassy phase of the K1 process? And if so, must it be an original? The state
where my co-sponsor was born requires 6-8 weeks to get another certified copy
unless you pay $60 for a speedier version. Obviously, I'd prefer to use a
photocopy if that is possible. I've read threads on this topic and there is
alot of disagreement. Thanks in advance.

Ronald Austin

Matilda,
You will need an I-134 signed by your cosponsor for the consulate. I don't
recall anything in the I-134 instructions about a birth certificate. Someone
will correct me if I'm wrong. ;-)
Ron


"Matildaknot" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi..does anyone know if a co-sponsor's birth certificate is required at
the
    > embassy phase of the K1 process? And if so, must it be an original? The
state
    > where my co-sponsor was born requires 6-8 weeks to get another certified
copy
    > unless you pay $60 for a speedier version. Obviously, I'd prefer to use a
    > photocopy if that is possible. I've read threads on this topic and there
is
    > alot of disagreement. Thanks in advance.

dazeychain

Hi there,

I am sure that I read you need to prove your co-sponsor is a US citizen, and I have my co-sponsor's duplicate (not a photocopy) birth certificate to prove this.

I am unsure whether a photcopy is acceptable, I'm just telling you what I've done :-)

Peace,

D.

Just Jenney

Since our co-sponsor (my brother) was born outside the United States, we're going to include a notarized photocopy of a document proving that he is an American citizen by birth (both our parents are American), and that his foreign birth was registered with the US government. We figure it's best to do that, since when he writes where he was born (Stuttgart, West Germany), it might raise some questions if we *don't* include this document.

~ Jenney

Rete

Please note that the co-sponsor does not have to be a US citizen. They can be a permanent resident. Either one must show proof of their status.

As for those born outside of the US but born of US citizen(s) and whose birth have been registered with the US Consulate aboard, the document does not have to be notarized. Although if you wish to, there is no reason why you can't. Note, however, that the legend the notary places on the document should read something to the effect:

This document is a true copy of the original document shown to me on this ___ day of _____, 2002.

They cannot attest to the authenticity of the document itself only to its being a true copy.

BTW I was born aboard (Karlshrue, Germany) and a USC and during all my dealings with INS and the US Consulate in Montreal, a copy of my registration of birth aboard (forgotten exactly what the name is called on the document) a good copy showing all the markings from the Department State was sufficient.

Just thought this information might to be helpful to those using a co-sponsor.

Rete

John

i don't recall seeing any information in my research about providing a birth
certificate for a co-sponsor.

D (dazeychain), if you are sure that you read something about this, can you
let us know where you read this?

thanks
dazeychain wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi there,
    > I am sure that I read you need to prove your co-sponsor is a US citizen,
    > and I have my co-sponsor's duplicate (not a photocopy) birth certificate
    > to prove this.
    > I am unsure whether a photcopy is acceptable, I'm just telling you what
    > I've done :-)
    > Peace,
    > D.
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com

dazeychain

Well, I knew you were going to ask that, and I shall check all of my documentation at home this evening (I'm at work just now).

Peace,

D.

dazeychain

Oops, scrap that and read what Rete posted :-)

She knows what she's talking about...I tend to be a bit vague.

Peace,

D.

Rete

Although it is not stated as a requirement on the I-134 itself, it is a requirement on the I-864. See I-864 Instructions, page 4, last two paragraphs.

It is better to have the proof of citizenship/residency on hand for the interview and not be placed on hold while you attempt to get it from your co-sponsor. This has occurred to several posters over the years and you are free to do a search on google's archives for these postings.

Remember the US Consulates have discretionary rights and can demand to see it even if not a requirement. Just as some US Consulates demand tax returns and they are not required of the I-134 unless you are self-employed.

So rather than err on the side of convenience, I would prefer to err on the side of thoroughness and suggest that this proof be available to the K-1 interviewee at the time of their US Consulate interview.

Rete

John

rete,

what you wrote makes complete sense. i'm happy that i saw this posting as i
would have sent the affidavit of support from my co-sponsor without a birth
certificate.

last question, i hope.

should i send a copy of the co-sponsor's birth certificate or the original?
i'm hoping a copy as asking for the original could be somewhat of an
imposition on the co-sponsor.

thanks
Rete wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Originally posted by dazeychain
    > > Oops, scrap that and read what Rete posted :-)
    > >
    > > She knows what she's talking about...I tend to be a bit vague.
    > >
    > > Peace,
    > >
    > > D.
    > Although it is not stated as a requirement on the I-134 itself, it is a
    > requirement on the I-864. See I-864 Instructions, page 4, last two
    > paragraphs.
    > It is better to have the proof of citizenship/residency on hand for the
    > interview and not be placed on hold while you attempt to get it from
    > your co-sponsor. This has occurred to several posters over the years
    > and you are free to do a search on google's archives for these postings.
    > Remember the US Consulates have discretionary rights and can demand to
    > see it even if not a requirement. Just as some US Consulates demand tax
    > returns and they are not required of the I-134 unless you are
    > self-employed.
    > So rather than err on the side of convenience, I would prefer to err on
    > the side of thoroughness and suggest that this proof be available to the
    > K-1 interviewee at the time of their US Consulate interview.
    > Rete
    > --
    > Posted via http://britishexpats.com