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DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

A PASSPORT valid for travel to the United States valid at least six months beyond the issuance date of the visa.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE: The original birth certificate or certified copy must state the date and place of birth and the names of both parents. Applicants who are unable to obtain a birth certificate must present secondary evidence of birth, e.g. baptismal certificates, notarized statements from relatives.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES: Married persons are required to present the original marriage certificate. Proof of the termination of any previous marriage must also be submitted (e.g. death certificate of spouse, final decrees of divorce or annulment).

POLICE CERTIFICATES: All applicants 16 years of age and over are required to furnish a police certificate (certificate of good conduct) from all countries where the applicant resided for at least one year. Police certificates are also needed from the police authorities of the country of the applicant's nationality and current residence where the applicant has resided for at least six months.

COURT AND PRISON RECORDS: Persons who have been convicted of a crime must obtain a certified copy of each court record and of any prison record, regardless of the fact that they may have benefited subsequently from an amnesty, pardon, or other act of clemency.

MILITARY RECORD: A certified copy of any military record, if applicable and obtainable, is required.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Two (2) color photographs taken within six months of the date of application are required. The photographs must measure two inches by two inches (5 cm by 5 cm), with the head centered in the frame. They must show a full frontal view of the bearer, without dark glasses or head-coverings. The image size from the top of the head (including hair) to the bottom of the chin should measure between 1 inch (2.5 cm) and 1 3/8 inches (3.5 cm), with the eye level between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (2.8 cm to 3.5 cm) from the bottom of the photo. The photograph must be on photopaper and must be taken against a white background.

EVIDENCE OF SUPPORT: Form I-864, a contractual affidavit of support, must be submitted for most family-based applicants and employment-based applicants when a relative is the petitioner or has ownership interest in the petitioning business. Other applicants must show evidence that they are not likely to become public charges while in the United States. K and V visa applicants, who present an affidavit of support from a sponsor in the U.S., should advise them to use form I-134, not form I-864.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS: All applicants must be prepared to present the originals or certified copies of all civil documents.

TRANSLATIONS: All documents not in English or German must be accompanied by certified translations. Translations must be certified by a competent translator.