Partner Visa 820 - certifying ALL photocopies

deepgreenlee · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2013, 04:27 AM

HI Everyone,

My partner and i have actually just submitted our application but i remain a little paranoid about it this issue, although there is nothing i can do now!!

We were told (by Immi) that photocopies of every document needed to be certified. This left us with a gigantic stack of things to get witnessed (I ended up chasing the RN's at work over the course of a few weeks!)

Now i am just wondering about 'copies' of things that were downloaded from the internet eg. Bank Statements, PAYG Summary/Payslips, Water Bill. All of these items are sent to me via email or electronic login for work, so we didn't get them certified as there was no true original to compare them to..... Even JP's seem to have very specific circumstances when certifying any 'internet' document.

It seems pretty common for people to receive multiple bills online these days, I go paperless for everything that I can!!

Did anyone else come across this problem??

MarkNortham · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2013, 08:58 AM

Hi -

Yes, a common problem. Some people print out 2 copies of each of the internet statements and manage to get get someone to certify that one is a copy of the other. Short of that, a note with the application noting which internet documents are "originals" printed off the internet can help.

Best,

Mark Northam

Miss Swan · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2013, 10:29 AM

Hey there, your post just made me wonder if IMMI changed its rules recently?? I thought only official document copies - passport, driver's license, identity cards, Form 888, certificates etc need to be certified...

I certainly didn't certify my bills (water, phone, electricity), payslips, bank statements or even my tax statements. And I'm very positive that heaps of other applicants didn't certify those too...

MarkNortham · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2013, 10:42 AM

Hi -

No rule changes, but sometimes case officers can get very picky. Certainly ID documents always need to be certified copies, however it gets a bit hazy regarding 3rd party relationship evidence like utility bills, etc. There is no black & white rule that says they must be certified copies, but many some agents include myself feel it's better safe than sorry and certify everything possible.

For what it's worth, the subclass 820/801 DIAC Checklist (not regulations or law by any reason though) says:

You must provide certified copies of original documents. However, Character documents must be originals. Documents not in English must be accompanied by English translations. English translations must be carried out by an accredited translator.

Best,

Mark Northam