Certifying documents -- how far should we go?

[fandv]

Hi everyone...

I'm a Canadian citizen who's about to sponsor my Indonesian wife to Canada.

It's crystal clear that some of the documents that we have to submit, such as photocopy of my wife's passport, photocopy of my wife's birth certificate, photocopy of our marriage certificate, photocopy of my wife's police clearance certificate, and photocopy of my passport, have to be certified by a notary public.

Here's the thing though: some of the relationship proofs that we are planning to send, are going to be scanned/copied....such as:

- birthday/Christmas cards
- payment receipt from the hotel where we had our wedding reception
- receipts from various places
- boarding passes of our flights
- etc...

Just wondering if the photocopies/scans of the above have to be certified too??

 

[Rob_TO]

It's crystal clear that some of the documents that we have to submit, such as photocopy of my wife's passport, photocopy of my wife's birth certificate, photocopy of our marriage certificate, photocopy of my wife's police clearance certificate, and photocopy of my passport, have to be certified by a notary public.

That isn't necessarily true. You only need certified/notarized copies of documents that aren't in english or french. If you notice in the Document Checklist it just states "Send photocopies of documents, unless instructed otherwise". It does not say send certified true copies!

Here's the thing though: some of the relationship proofs that we are planning to send, are going to be scanned/copied....such as:

- birthday/Christmas cards
- payment receipt from the hotel where we had our wedding reception
- receipts from various places
- boarding passes of our flights
- etc...

Just wondering if the photocopies/scans of the above have to be certified too??

I believe you are supposed to send in originals of these things, and after the processing they would be mailed back to you. Although perhaps others can advise better here.

 

[truesmile]

Yes, Rob_TO is correct, unless your specific VO has superceding instructions. In our case everything was either "original" or "photocopy". None of our photocopies were notarized. We even included some of our "original" cards complete with postmarked envelope.

 

[frenchie57]

Hi everyone...

I'm a Canadian citizen who's about to sponsor my Indonesian wife to Canada.

It's crystal clear that some of the documents that we have to submit, such as photocopy of my wife's passport, photocopy of my wife's birth certificate, photocopy of our marriage certificate, photocopy of my wife's police clearance certificate, and photocopy of my passport, have to be certified by a notary public.

Here's the thing though: some of the relationship proofs that we are planning to send, are going to be scanned/copied....such as:

- birthday/Christmas cards
- payment receipt from the hotel where we had our wedding reception
- receipts from various places
- boarding passes of our flights
- etc...

Just wondering if the photocopies/scans of the above have to be certified too??

As said above, you don't need to get all of these certified.
One more thing that I thought was good to get notarized was a support letter.
We sent quite a few, but we only got the one from my parents in-laws (sponsor's parents) notarized.

 

[spaceraceone]

As said above, you don't need to get all of these certified.
One more thing that I thought was good to get notarized was a support letter.
We sent quite a few, but we only got the one from my parents in-laws (sponsor's parents) notarized.

Hello,
What is a support letter? I don't think I saw it on the check list

Thanks

 

[Rob_TO]

Hello,
What is a support letter? I don't think I saw it on the check list

Thanks

It would fall under item 25 of the checklist - Proof of Relationship to Sponsor.
Its optional, simply to provide further proof of your relationship. Letters from friends and family stating how they know you and your wife, and giving their testimony that your relationship and marriage is genuine.

Personally the only one i included was a letter from my mom (not notarized).

 

[spaceraceone]

It would fall under item 25 of the checklist - Proof of Relationship to Sponsor.
Its optional, simply to provide further proof of your relationship. Letters from friends and family stating how they know you and your wife, and giving their testimony that your relationship and marriage is genuine.

Personally the only one i included was a letter from my mom (not notarized).

I see

thanks

 

[frenchie57]

Hello,
What is a support letter? I don't think I saw it on the check list

Thanks

A support letter is a letter that your friends or family members can write to say that they know you are in a genuine relationship.
It is better to have them especially if you're not married.
We got some close friends, colleagues, and my parents in-law to write letters. They were very touching =)
Basically just have to say who they are, and then they can say whatever they want to say (how they met you, how they got to know you were in a relationship etc etc).
I think that having a support letter from the sponsor's parents, siblings and/or close friends is particulary helpful because they wouldn't do it if they didn't believe in the relationship