Birth certificate and marriage certificate - any issue date is fine?

[SusieQQQ]

They are standard printed forms and completed using a typewriter. Originals with blue ink stamps and signature.
I would say they are all good as they are.

Ok - you may want to double check with the consulate - my old birth certificate was not computer printed and I had to get a new one that was, but not sure if this varies by consulate.i really should have remembered this when I answered your question originally!!

 

[vladek15425]

Ok - you may want to double check with the consulate - my old birth certificate was not computer printed and I had to get a new one that was, but not sure if this varies by consulate.i really should have remembered this when I answered your question originally!!

i agree with susie , you should just give a call and hear from your embassy

 

[OnTheGo]

Ok - you may want to double check with the consulate - my old birth certificate was not computer printed and I had to get a new one that was, but not sure if this varies by consulate.i really should have remembered this when I answered your question originally!!

i agree with susie , you should just give a call and hear from your embassy

Thanks ... I might as well give them a call, after all.

The same question would apply to our marriage certificate, as it is also a form that was completed using a type writer. This is actually just a Civil status certificate by the local registrar's office confirming the registration of our US based marriage for which we also have the original US issued certificate and apostille (those are all forms and completed by typewriter and by hand, too).

The rules really just state:

Married applicants must obtain an original marriage certificate, or a certified copy, bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority. Submit this to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at your interview.

 

[SusieQQQ]

The rules really just state:

I know, but we needed computer versions anyway. As I said, not sure if this varies by country. This wasn't listed anywhere but I had seen other people in our forum mention it and the consulate confirmed it.

 

[mikettl]

guys, in Germany it doesn't matter at all when these documents were issued and printed, signed, stamped etc., as long as they are genuine.

The birth certificate in Germany is valid until you pass away independent from issuing. However if you loose it you will be able to get a certified paper copy but it's fine to present the original one at the consular. As far as I know now, there's no need of a computer form at the Frankfurt consular. It's even sufficient to make a simple photo copy of the original one for the consular, they will certify it by themself. The same is valid for the marriage certificate except it's unvalid because of divorce. In that case you need to present the appropriate divorce documents.

We are currently preparing our docs and double checked it to avoid any errors (e.g. my spouse was married and divorced before our marriage). Keep in mind that KCC or the consular might backround check your status and will ask for details when things are not clear.

As far as I know from other interview attendees in Frankfurt, it was never an issue to present genuine documents anyway when they were issued.

This is what I know for us Germans, might be different in other countries.

Best regards
Mike

 

[OnTheGo]

guys, in Germany it doesn't matter at all when these documents were issued and printed, signed, stamped etc., as long as they are genuine.

[...]

This is what I know for us Germans, might be different in other countries.

Best regards
Mike

Thanks for tuning in, Mike. Much appreciated.

I wish you good luck in your anticipated April interview...please do report back here afterwards with your Frankfurt consulate experience.

 

[mikettl]

Thanks for tuning in, Mike. Much appreciated.

I wish you good luck in your anticipated April interview...please do report back here afterwards with your Frankfurt consulate experience.

You're very welcome As soon as I passed the interview I'll post my experiences here. In the case you need further information or just for knowledge exchange don't hesitate to drop a PM so we also can chat in german as well.

Good luck to you too!

Best regards
Mike

 

[neshate]

What about the translation date? I have translated ours about 8 months ago and I guess it will be almost a year at the time of our interview. Do you think I need to translate them again?

 

[Britsimon]

What about the translation date? I have translated ours about 8 months ago and I guess it will be almost a year at the time of our interview. Do you think I need to translate them again?

Well do you think the translation would have changed in these 8 months???

Guys, I think the nervousness of this process is stopping some of you from using common sense. Languages and translations don't change for many years. Likewise a birth certificate - mine is nearly half a century old - but that is because it was issued when I was born - how could that need to be refreshed??

Medical report and police records should be up to date because your health can change or you could rob a bank - but that is just obvious isn't it??

 

[OnTheGo]

Well do you think the translation would have changed in these 8 months???

LOL!!

Guys, I think the nervousness of this process is stopping some of you from using common sense. Languages and translations don't change for many years. Likewise a birth certificate - mine is nearly half a century old - but that is because it was issued when I was born - how could that need to be refreshed??

Medical report and police records should be up to date because your health can change or you could rob a bank - but that is just obvious isn't it??

Not being nervous, rather than thorough. For example, the pure fact that there is nothing stated in the rules pertaining to the validity of police records (even though common sense would indicate they should be rather recent), led me to be extra careful when it comes to the format and issue date of extracts of birth- and marriage certificates.

 

[neshate]

Yes, it can change!! Consider the case that someone got divorced. So if he has translated the documents before getting divorce, there is no evidence of divorce in that!!

 

[Pryanik777]

Exactly! Birth certificates, in some countries, are updated with a note that shows your current civil status (married, divorced, etc.). So that is the reason these documents should be as new as possible... simply because you DO NOT know what the immigration officer/consul wants when he/she interviews you.

Pryanik

Yes, it can change!! Consider the case that someone got divorced. So if he has translated the documents before getting divorce, there is no evidence of divorce in that!!

 

[neshate]

The question is how much new?

 

[Pryanik777]

I mentioned in a previous post 3 months, from my experience with federal agencies they required documents or copies of them that are no older than 3 months. So I, personally, apply this to almost every paperwork just to be on the safe side.

Pryanik

The question is how much new?

 

[OnTheGo]

Exactly! Birth certificates, in some countries, are updated with a note that shows your current civil status (married, divorced, etc.). So that is the reason these documents should be as new as possible... simply because you DO NOT know what the immigration officer/consul wants when he/she interviews you.

Pryanik

Well, if that is the case for YOUR country, it should be reflected in the country specific information, called reciprocity by country.

Enter your country name and scroll down for birth certificate related info, specific to your country.

For mine, Germany, there is no such requirement listed.

 

[Britsimon]

Exactly! Birth certificates, in some countries, are updated with a note that shows your current civil status (married, divorced, etc.). So that is the reason these documents should be as new as possible... simply because you DO NOT know what the immigration officer/consul wants when he/she interviews you.

Pryanik

Well then that would also be an obvious answer....

 

[Sm1smom]

Well do you think the translation would have changed in these 8 months???

Guys, I think the nervousness of this process is stopping some of you from using common sense. Languages and translations don't change for many years. Likewise a birth certificate - mine is nearly half a century old - but that is because it was issued when I was born - how could that need to be refreshed??

Medical report and police records should be up to date because your health can change or you could rob a bank - but that is just obvious isn't it??

Well said Simon!

The marriage certificate I used was issued over 2 decades ago. As a matter of fact, the sections relating to our personal information, witnesses, date, etc were handwritten. While I agree it's a good idea to be well prepared and cover every possible angle, I also think "the nervousness of this process is stopping some of you from using common sense" - to quote Simon. People need to step back and breath please!

Yes, it can change!! Consider the case that someone got divorced. So if he has translated the documents before getting divorce, there is no evidence of divorce in that!!

Obviously, if a person's status changes, the person IS required to present documents showing their most current status, no brainer about that.

 

[Pryanik777]

Some countries... Some of us have reviewed the information on that link long ago and we can tell the consular officer has the last word about your case.

Pryanik

Well, if that is the case for YOUR country, it should be reflected in the country specific information, called reciprocity by country.

Enter your country name and scroll down for birth certificate related info, specific to your country.

For mine, Germany, there is no such requirement listed.

 

[Pryanik777]

Not for everybody. A reason why this forum exists.

Pryanik

Well then that would also be an obvious answer....

 

[Britsimon]

Not for everybody. A reason why this forum exists.

Pryanik

Yeah - I understand - and I have posted a couple of thousand times to help with that, but I do think people need to relax and think a little more clearly - if only for their own blood pressure....