Hi everyone, you're all probably gonna think im a paranoid idiot, particularly if you read my last post on my medical. Anyway, i have a date for my interview which is August 11th, i'm now worried cos i realised when i sent in the iv-15k i ticked the check-list that i had marriage certificate and divorce decree, not mine but my fiancee's as she has been previously married. I only have copies of these incidentally, but will it matter when they see i've ticked them or will they probably not even mention it as they will see in the rest of my paperwork that i have never been married...i hope this makes sense

Do you think i should ring the Embassy and explain to them?

At the interview, you need evidence of the termination of ALL marriages; applicant's and petitioner's. So far, so good.

However, you are meant to bring the originals of those documents, plus a photocopy, to the interview. It sounds like you do not have the originals?

No i don't have the originals, just the photocopies that my fiancee sent to me in the duplicate pack she compiled for the initial petition, but it shoudln't be a problem to get the originals. So the checklist isnt just concerning ME and MY marriage or divorce (which i've had neither) but both petitioner and beneficiary?? I'm sorry for the lack of understanding i'm just really stressed about this whole thing and want to get it right

The only reason i ask about hers is because they will already have those copies of hers, yet they obviously haven't seen any documentation of mine because you don't send it in to them

les, take a deepbreath and think about guitars for a minute.. go to your happy place..

Look, here is one for you. It's Dave Grohl's, and it's very pretty in real life.

LOL, thanks for the image, and advice

It is not possible to have an original divorce decree from the UK. The original remains with the court. Everything else is a certified copy. This seems to cause conceptual problems for the US authorities as I know from personal experience.

it is pretty much luck of the draw as to who you get looking at your case. A new and inexperienced officer will ask for an "original" a more seasoned veteran will ignore the requirement.

Good luck.

Thanks Family guy, but the divorce paper is from my fiancee who is the US citizen, are theirs the same as UK courts?, do they keep the originals and only give out certified copies?

To my knowledge, yes. I am a USC and I am divorced, and I can only get a certified copy from the court. Each time I get a certified copy, that is considered to be MY original of my divorce decree.

Rene

Thanks Noorah its so stressful knowing 1 person has the power to decide your whole future!

I understand. Don't worry, it will all work out.

Rene

I realize that your UK profession once was an attorney. However, you are not knowledgeable apparently on the US authorities, such as the USCIS and the Department of State's Embassy staff.

The US Authorities do not have a conceptual problem with what is an original document. They are fully aware as are many (although not all) US citizens that the originals of legal documents are only certified copies and that the originals are filed away after recordation in the State's archives. The documentation that you are given after a divorce proceeding or a birth certificate is considered an original by the authorities as long as it bears the stamp and/or embossed seal and filing notations.



As the presentation of the original documents at the K-1 interview at the US Consulate is the second time the documents are being examined, quite often it is not asked for specifically. However, if the copy is poor, the embossment or stamp unclear or appears to be missing, it is quite likely that the original will be asked for.

Immigration should not be considered as a gamble and all effort possible should be expanded to see that you comply with the requirements 100%.

so as long as the copy (photocopy) i have is legible, there is no problem??

I don't think you've been following properly. A photocopy is not sufficient. You must have her originals to present at your interview.

Ian