When applying for an immigrant visa to the US, one of the most important parts of the process is the DS-260. This form, along with civil documents, is what determines your visa eligibility. In this post, we’ll go over what the DS-260 is, what civil documents are, the documents you need to submit, and what to do if you’re missing some.
What is the DS-260?
The DS-260 is an online application for individuals applying for an immigrant visa to enter the US. This form collects information about the applicant, including personal details, family background, employment history, and previous travel to the US. It’s filled out and submitted electronically through the Consular Electronic Application Center’s (CEAC) website.
Once you submit the DS-260, it’s reviewed by the National Visa Center (NVC). If everything is good, the NVC will schedule an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. This interview is a key part of the visa process, where officials will verify the information you provided and determine your visa eligibility. Learn more: Form DS-260 instructions.
What are “civil documents”?
Civil documents are official papers issued by the government that prove personal details and major life events. These documents are used to verify the information you put in your DS-260 and are important to prove your identity and eligibility for an immigrant visa.
Examples of civil documents are birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, court records if you ever committed a crime and divorce decrees. These documents will help the immigration authorities to confirm your background and ensure all information you provide is true.
Which Civil Documents should I submit with the DS-260?
When submitting Form DS-260 you must also provide several civil documents:
Birth Certificate: A certified copy with your name, date of birth and parents’ names.
Marriage Certificate: If applicable, a certified copy of your marriage certificate.
Divorce Decree: If you were previously married and divorced, a certified copy of the divorce decree.
Police Clearance Certificate: From the police authorities of each country where you have lived for 6 months or more since the age of 16.
Military Records: If you have served in the military, a copy of your military records.
Court and Prison Records: If you have been convicted of a crime, certified copies of court and prison records.
These documents must be submitted in the original language along with certified translations if not in English. The NVC or the US Embassy/Consulate handling your case will review these documents to ensure they meet the requirements and the information provided is consistent with your application.
Providing complete and accurate documents will avoid delays and make the processing of your visa application smoother.
What to Do If You’re Missing a Civil Document?
If you are missing any required civil documents, please address this ASAP to avoid delays in your application. Here’s what to do:
Request a Replacement: Contact the issuing authority in your country to request a replacement of the missing document. This could be a local civil registry, police department or government office.
Get an Affidavit: If the document cannot be replaced, you can provide an affidavit explaining why the document is missing and what efforts you made to get it. This affidavit should be notarized and include statements from the relevant authorities that the document is missing.
Submit Secondary Evidence: Provide secondary evidence to support the information that the missing document would have shown. For example, if a birth certificate is missing, you can submit baptismal records, hospital birth records or school records.
Notify NVC or Consulate: Inform the National Visa Center (NVC) or the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your case about the missing document and what you have done to replace it or provide alternative evidence.
By following these steps, you can ensure your application remains on track despite the absence of certain documents.
Form DS-260 checklist of required documents are key to the immigrant visa process. By submitting all required documents correctly, you’ll help speed up the review of your application. If you’re missing a document, take action quickly and properly and you’ll keep your visa process on track. With proper preparation and attention to detail, you’ll feel more confident in this process.
