Document Checklist

On the day of the formal visa interview all applicants for immigrant, fiancé(e), Kii and V visas, including children and babies, will be required to present the following documents where applicable. All documents, except passports and photographs, must be submitted in single copy, with the original document or certified copy bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority. If only the original of the birth, marriage and/or other certificates is available, the applicant may submit one photocopy thereof but must bring the original(s) with him/her to the interview for inspection by the consular officer.

Important: These documents must not be mailed to the Embassy. You will be required to furnish the documents on the day of your visa interview.

• Passport - endorsed by the issuing authority for travel to the United States and valid for at least eight months beyond the issuance date of the visa. Children may be included on a parent's passport, but if over the age of 16, they must have their photographs attached to the passport.


• Birth Certificate* - the original or certified copy of the birth record of each family member (yourself, your spouse and all unmarried children under the age of 21). The certificate must contain the person's date and place of birth and names of both parents. It must be annotated by the appropriate authority indicating that is an extract from the official records. Please note that the so-called British "short form" birth certificate is not acceptable.


• Adoption Certificate* - if applicable, showing date and place of adoption, along with the names of the adoptive parents. This certificate must be issued by a public authority and show that a public record exists for the adoption.


• Deed Poll - or other legal evidence if applicable, showing applicant's change of name (except by marriage).


• Marriage certificate* - the original or certified copy bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority for each of the applicant's marriages.


• Termination of Prior Marriages* - applicants who has been previously married must obtain evidence of the termination of each prior marriage such as final divorce decree, death certificate or annulment. Evidence must be in the form of the original document issued by a competent authority, or a certified copy bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority.


• Police Certificate - Police certificates are required for each visa application aged 16 years or older. A separate certificate is required from the police of each country in which the applicant has lived for twelve months or more after the age of 16; the period is six months if country of birth or current nationality. This certificate must state cover the entire period of the applicant's residence in that area or country and state what the appropriate police authorities records show concerning each applicant including all arrests, the reason for the arrest(s), and the disposition of each case of which there is a record. Important Notice: If you are 16 years of age or over and were born in the United Kingdom or the UK is your current nationality you will require a police certificate to cover your period of residence of six months or more since reaching the age of sixteen. The period is twelve months for all other nationalities.


• Court Record - If the applicant has been convicted of any crime in any country, a copy of the court record of each conviction is required, even if the applicant has subsequently benefited from an amnesty, pardon or other act of clemency or Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. This is in addition to the police certificate requirement.


• Military Record - One certified copy of any military record should be obtained covering periods spent in military service, including wartime or national service.


• Color Photographs - Three color photographs which meet the State Department specifications.


• Evidence of Support - Any evidence which will show that you and members of your family who will accompany you are not likely to become public charges while in the United States. Note that the petitioner, in family based immigrant visa applications, and employment based immigrant visa applications where a family member has a significant ownership interest, is required to file a contractually binding Affidavit of Support, Form I-864. This requirement does not apply to fiancé(e), Kii or V visa applicants when applying for a fiancé(e), Kii or V visa. However, the petitioner will be required to file an I-864 when the fiancee, Kii, or V visa holder applies for an adjustment of status with the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States after the marriage ceremony has taken place. Further information for fiancé(e), Kii and V visa applicants. Note: For immigrant visa applicant whose case has been processed through the National Visa Center (NVC) the Affidavit of Support, Form I-864, will be sent to the Embassy by the NVC. You are not required to bring a copy of this documemt to the visa interview.


• Translations - All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified translations into English. Translations must be in single copy and certified by a qualified independent translator that the translation is accurate.


• Custody Decree - If the applicant is applying for a visa for a child or children by a previous marriage and if a court has previously restricted the applicant's custody of these children, he/she should present proof that the applicant has been awarded custody by the court for the children and that they may be taken out of the United Kingdom.

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