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Documents certify and scans

Discussion in 'UK Visa and Immigration Help' started by hazlen, May 16, 2017.

  1. hazlen
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    hazlen Member

    Applying for fiancé visa very soon this month. I'm a bit worried about some documents not being certified.
    1. Sponsor passport - all pages are scanned and my GF in Philippines prints them out. How would you certify a passport if I have no need to make a copy here in UK? Is it really important to get the passport certified?

    2. Bank statements - my banks don't stamp or certify the statements, they say the post statements are legit enough. But I am scanning my statements and my GF prints them out, is that still okay? One issue I have is my latest HSBC statement is not out yet and they can't do one early, so I had to print it online banking which looks different to post statements. I doubt HSBC will stamp or certify the online statement so what can I do? Does UKBA even know about these rules that some banks don't stamp or certify any more?

    We will probably use the scanning service in VFS, how would they know if the document you scan to their system is original or scanned printed copy?

    I just don't want to fail application because of not getting stamps.
  2. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    posted bank statements are fine--the most recent needs to be within 28 days of the date of the online visa application---so wait if need be till you get it. then post the lot to sheffield.



    you need to get your passport copy certified by a solicitor. its not expensive. certainly not worth the risk of not getting it done.
  3. hazlen
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    hazlen Member

    The thing is I fly to Manila on 28th May and want to apply visa before that. Also rather send eveything together via VFS scanning service so less chance of delay and loss. So not sure how I go about doing this if I scan my documents and my GF prints it out in Philippines.

    Where can I find these cheap solicitors? They ask for over £70! Has anyone tried the Post Office Document Certification service?
  4. Maharg
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    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Seventy quid is more likely the cost of getting it notarised, which isn't necessary.

    A solicitor will certify it for less than a tenner. If they won't, just go to another one.
  5. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Best to ring round the solicitors offices before you set out as they all don't offer this service as it is obviously not a money maker for them. For me I just strolled around the town close to where I live and the second office I tried did the deed in a few minutes, they know exactly what to write on the photocopy for you and they will stamp it for you, around a fiver, actually the solicitor I used just put the fiver straight in a donation box on the reception counter.

    Best to get it done and play safe as said by others.

    Original bank statements will be fine too.
  6. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    my solicitor charged me--nothing ! but then he has had a few £0000 off me over the years.

    we can only offer advice we know has worked---its up to you if you take it. but let us know if you go your way and it works.
  7. Brom27
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    Brom27 Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    To be honest I know a lot of people who didn't get their passport notarised and they all got the visa no problem. There is no such refusal saying "I refused your application because your passport is not notarised." The scanned copy will suffice if you can't be arsed to spend £70.
    • Agree Agree x 2
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  8. Scotschap16
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    Scotschap16 Well-Known Member

    I agree with Glenn - I only provided Kris with a colour photocopy of my passport opened at the picture / details page. No requirement in the guidance to have it certified / notarised.

    For info I didn't get the printed copies of my 6 month's online bank statements stamped either. This was because the bank's logo (Halifax) appears on each one (a requirement).

    Hey Glenn - "If you can't be arsed" - you've certainly picked up the lingo pretty quick! :D:D

    Gerry
  9. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    interesting reply there Gerry.

    so--i wonder where we got the idea of solicitor certified copy of passport then ? i know i did--so i must have read it somewhere.

    there was a comment a few weeks back about the need to have 6 months to run on a tenancy agreement--or a landlords letter to offer to renew. it was also debated.

    could it be this was old rules--pre july 2012 ?
  10. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    There is lots of stuff regarding the visa application that I'm sure has just turned into folklore :)

    Having the passport certified makes sense as there can be no doubt regarding the identity of the sponsor, especially if a birth certificate is not supplied. Bank statements is another as Gerry stated.

    One chap on here once posted that his total application was photocopied and he was successful, no originals at all.

    We have to remember that the vast majority of people who apply for visas do not use and do not need the help of a forum like this when applying, that's why I always say you can never be refused the visa for something that is not asked for in the application and notes.

    I think we should always use the "better safe than sorry" analogy.

    All we do here is answer people parrot fashion regarding visa help, there is no one here on the forum who has a clue about the internal workings of how a visa application is assessed, that's why we should use our experiences only and not quote other people or other forums.

    There is only Micawber as you know that has any in depth knowledge and he does not appear here anymore although I feel he could return here at any time, hopefully.
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  11. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    i understand one of the members here is in contact with @Micawber----hopefully he could get him involved again.
  12. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Peter may have got fed up with answering visa questions, we just answer the same old questions over and over again. If Peter comes back then great but look at the amount of threads he started, you cannot blame the chap if he quite simply got fed up with it all as the forum in the main is the same day in day out that's why we need other threads including the political ones which at least change :)

    I'm trying to take it easy on the visa questions for that very reason, I now prefer to point someone to the information as opposed to giving it myself.

    I must say though, some posts are extremely interesting, especially when posted by those that have broken the visa rules as we know them and have got away with it.
  13. uklove
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    uklove Active Member

    I didn't take the risk and had the copy of my passport certified as original by the local solicitor. It cost a fiver.
    It was one thing less to worry about, after all there were plenty of other doubts in my mind.

    Just a thought...it must be the worrying engineer in me...how long would the solicitor's stamp and signature be valid for? Would I be able to use the same copy for the FLR two years from now?
  14. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I wouldn't even bother for the FLR, a copy of the biometrics page of your passport should suffice, submit the same one of course if the passport is still valid.
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  15. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member


    i like to see success stories----like @Scotschap16 ---who has been helped---and in turn helped others---and contributed a lot to the forum. i received a lot of help--and reassurance--over the years ive been involved here--so its like paying it forward if i can be of help to new members.
    but i do take your point Timmers about a lot of it being repetitive.

    i rarely get involved in political discussions--they often end up in slanging matches which isnt helpful to anyone. i take the view there is nothing i can do--so just have to live with the outcome.
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  16. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    You're better off out of the political debates bigmac, its hell in there :lol::lol:
  17. tipipay
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    tipipay Active Member


    Answers:
    1. We never certified my then-fiance's passport copies. They seem to accept that.
    2. Post bank statement are fine. And he's with HSBC too, so I think you'll be fine. :)

    Good luck!
    • Like Like x 1
  18. hazlen
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    hazlen Member

    Cheers guys for all the posts.

    I've not certified my passport yet but if I decide to will just try the post office certify service. I read from another forum the UKBA have access to check your passport but only if it's a British one. I also have my original birth certificate.

    I decided we will apply for the application when I get to Manila on the 28th on that week with priority. Hopefully they can make a quick decision as our register office notice appointment is on the 10th July.
  19. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    youve managed to totally confuse me--not difficult

    what visa are you applying for ?
    why book the registry office notice appointment yet ?
  20. hazlen
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    hazlen Member

    Fiance visa.

    I need proof of intent to marry and the register office said we need to book the notice with them and could book a provisional ceremony. We were supposed to apply like 2 weeks ago.
    Last edited: May 19, 2017

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