original chinese passport vs copy

[syzygy]

When I file the I-130 petition, I know I need to show both original passports, as well as copies of the biographic pages. Will my Chinese wife's original passport be retained at that time, or will it be returned to her? I will need it to apply for an ITIN for her later. Also, can anybody explain what this means: " Your wife needs to apply for ITIN with IRS. If she needs her Chinese passport to be certified, please make an online appointment with ACS for notary service." What is meant by a "certified" Chinese passport? Is the original passport in some way "certified" or authenticated, or is a certified/authenticated copy issued? Or must a "certified" copy of a Chinese passport be obtained from the Chinese Government?

[newacct]

When I file the I-130 petition, I know I need to show both original passports, as well as copies of the biographic pages.

I-130 doesn't need her passport.

Will my Chinese wife's original passport be retained at that time, or will it be returned to her?

Not sure what you mean by "at that time". At what time? You mean if there is an interview or something? They will never retain her passport except if she is doing Consular Processing abroad for an immigrant visa in which case they may retain the passport when issuing the visa.

I will need it to apply for an ITIN for her later. Also, can anybody explain what this means: " Your wife needs to apply for ITIN with IRS. If she needs her Chinese passport to be certified, please make an online appointment with ACS for notary service." What is meant by a "certified" Chinese passport? Is the original passport in some way "certified" or authenticated, or is a certified/authenticated copy issued? Or must a "certified" copy of a Chinese passport be obtained from the Chinese Government?

For ITIN, either you need to mail the original passport, or it is certified by the agency that issued the passport (not many countries' passport issuing agencies offer such a "certification"), or you must go in person to one of a few special IRS offices that can certify it there and give you back the passport the same day.

[syzygy]

I-130 doesn't need her passport.


Not sure what you mean by "at that time". At what time? You mean if there is an interview or something? They will never retain her passport except if she is doing Consular Processing abroad for an immigrant visa in which case they may retain the passport when issuing the visa.


For ITIN, either you need to mail the original passport, or it is certified by the agency that issued the passport (not many countries' passport issuing agencies offer such a "certification"), or you must go in person to one of a few special IRS offices that can certify it there and give you back the passport the same day.

Thanks. Perhaps it is required for the G-325A which I believe is submitted at the same time? The instructions I read say that the Beijing Embassy, where I will submit the I-130, requires that you show original passports, as well as copies of the bio pages and a copy of the Permanent Residence Permit attached to the passport. So I was concerned that they might retain the original as well as the photocopies. By "At that time" I meant when I go to Beijing and submit my I-130 and G-325A. The W-7 and instructions imply that you might be able to submit some kind of copy or certified document instead of having to mail the original passport back to America and wait for its return while the application and tax return are being processed.