Multiple copies of supporting documents for Spouse and Children?

[theanimaster]

I'm getting my documents in order for my i-130 forms for my spouse and two sons... but one thing stuck me: since I have to file one i-130 for EACH (because I happen to be a US Citizen, how convenient... not), does that also mean I have to submit separate copies of EACH supporting document?

So in effect, I would need THREE copies of my marriage certs, childrens' birth certs and all the translations that go with them etc. ?

OR

Do I just submit the three i-130 forms together with ONE copy of each supporting document?

[rayb]

Each I-130 package must be "standalone," with all the appropriate supporting documents. The civil documents need only be photocopies, but certified versions will be needed later during the National Visa Center step, if they are being processed while abroad.

--Ray B

I'm getting my documents in order for my i-130 forms for my spouse and two sons... but one thing stuck me: since I have to file one i-130 for EACH (because I happen to be a US Citizen, how convenient... not), does that also mean I have to submit separate copies of EACH supporting document?

So in effect, I would need THREE copies of my marriage certs, childrens' birth certs and all the translations that go with them etc. ?

OR

Do I just submit the three i-130 forms together with ONE copy of each supporting document?

[theanimaster]

Each I-130 package must be "standalone," with all the appropriate supporting documents. The civil documents need only be photocopies, but certified versions will be needed later during the National Visa Center step, if they are being processed while abroad.

--Ray B

Thank you so much for the clarification! I guess I have to have the wife get me those translations then. She has the original documents back in Thailand, and the translation fees are so much cheaper there (not to mention it's easier finding a translator there, for obvious reasons).

I do have the original translations of my sons' birth certificates and my wife's change of name (as well as my son's change of name... *whew* she's created a lot of paperwork for me) but I probably should get another set with the translator's/agency's affidavit of competence (something to that effect) -- but again, this is only ONE copy, so I may as well just do it all over again and have her get 3 original translation docs.

Thanks again. You've saved me a phone call!

[rayb]

You're headed towards overkill. Your I-130 submittal package contents can all be photocopies, excepting for the petition and biographic forms (the latter only needed for your wife).

But when you get to the NVC stage, the actual civil documents must be original certified, though the translations can be photocopies.

The translation service I use here in California averages $65 per page, but very good quality with certification and separate notary witness of translator statement. I know from experience that translations done in Thailand are good, as it is a regular professional cottage industry there and fees are probably half of better what I pay here. But I get any language delivered in about 4 or 5 days (Santa Cruz to Sacramento). So far I've had the same translation service do all types of documents for about 12 different languages (Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Russian, Ukraine, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Indonesian, so far).

--Ray B

Thank you so much for the clarification! I guess I have to have the wife get me those translations then. She has the original documents back in Thailand, and the translation fees are so much cheaper there (not to mention it's easier finding a translator there, for obvious reasons).

I do have the original translations of my sons' birth certificates and my wife's change of name (as well as my son's change of name... *whew* she's created a lot of paperwork for me) but I probably should get another set with the translator's/agency's affidavit of competence (something to that effect) -- but again, this is only ONE copy, so I may as well just do it all over again and have her get 3 original translation docs.

Thanks again. You've saved me a phone call!