Navigating the Process of Embassy Document Submission

There are over 150 US embassies around the world. This is excellent news, because it allows an American citizen to seek help in almost any part of the world. 

Among the most common issues travelers and ex-pats deal with is the need for documents. These documents can be anything from a new passport to a notice of birth or death. Many immigrants also apply for a Visa as part of the citizenship process.

What kind of paperwork is needed for this process, though, and how does Embassy Document Submission work? We'll talk more about that in this article. 

Appointment Letter

Whether you're immigrating to the US or any number of other things, you might receive an appointment letter. An appointment letter is a letter sent out which gives out the date of an appointment at the embassy, how to prepare, and what documents to bring.

Keep in mind that while most documents are submitted online, you will need copies for your appointment.

Passports

If your embassy visit in any way concerns travelling to or from another country, you need a passport. This is true for you and anyone traveling with you. The passports should be valid and you should be approved for travel.If you're not sure where to apply for a passport, you can try your local post office. Some of them can assist in the process. 

Keep in mind that some embassy functions, you will be expected to travel to the United States. 

Document Certification

Not every country will accept American documents by themselves, so you might need international document legalization. A meeting known as the Hague Apostille Convention created an agreement among many countries that they would accept documents originally issued by the governments of other Convention members.

The good news is that most of the countries the average person has heard of are Hague Apostilles. Not all of them are, though, and when you have to travel to a non-Apostille country, your native embassy needs to certify your documents. Otherwise, authorities in the non-Apostille country won't accept them. 

Other Documents

If you're planning to immigrate, you will need to provide several additional documents in addition to your passport. These include birth certificates of any children you have under the age of 21, and any other people mentioned in the document you're filing. 

The embassy also needs any records of marriages, divorce, adoption, and criminal records to fully approve a Visa. Bring photographs along with you. You can get professional photos for an embassy taken at most major stores or pharmacies.

Translation

The US embassy conducts business in English, so you will need to learn some English. If your documents aren't already in English, you should seek out Legal Document Translation services.

Embassy Document Submission

The process of embassy document submission can be confusing, especially since the list of documents you need might vary depending on what you're trying to do.

The good news is that we're here to help. We've discussed the process a bit here, but there's always more to know. If you're in need of apostille or notary document services, consider us. Feel free to read more about us while you're looking around our site.