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ResourcesVisa & Immigration LawUS Immigration LawDo I Need to Use Originals or Copies of Documents in a K-3 Visa Application?

Do I Need to Use Originals or Copies of Documents in a K-3 Visa Application?

Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing the K-3 visa and the application thereof and we are also discussing that within the specific context of whether or not copies or original documentation are going to be necessary when processing a K-3 visa application or petition for that matter. 

So the thing to take away from this video is the short answer to the overall question is "well it depends." Mostly in non-routine circumstances there's going to be instances where we are going to see an Adjudicating Officer, either the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security, they want to actually see original documentation. Generally speaking, at a visa interview, it is generally prudent to take original documentation pertaining to a given case, although I have seen cases processed without the need for that; again it's going to be circumstantially dependent.

Also the issue with respect to copies. There is an issue that comes up with respect to authentication and certification of copies. What do I mean by this? I mean certain documentation, if it is copied, is going to need to be correctly certified in order to be processed through the USCIS or the Department of State, specifically National Visa Center, which is taking more copies now with respect to documentation as well as an Embassy. Authentication and certification is generally speaking a circumstantially dependent issue so depending on one's circumstances the authentication may need to be to be dealt with in different ways. 

That being said, it is probably a good idea to contact a legal professional with respect to this issue if you are really worried about it. Again in most cases copies are probably going to be sufficient but there are certain non-routine things that come up for example prior criminal history etc. that they do want to tend to see original documentation. 

So the thing to take away from this video is "yeah, generally speaking copies are probably going to work" although authentication is something that needs to be dealt with and those who have any real questions on this, really is a good idea just contact the legal professional and ascertain what the situation is with respect to the facts of one's given case.