NVC Document Checklist | American Visa Guide

Critical: If you use a police certificate placeholder at NVC, you must upload the real certificate before your interview or you risk administrative processing after interview.

1. Before you start

Case created in CEAC

Welcome Letter received from NVC

Both fees (visa processing + I-864) show PAID in CEAC

2. DS-260 (Visa application)

One DS-260 per applicant

All required fields completed (prepare answers in advance, form times out)

Vaccination question: mark "other" if getting vaccines at medical exam

Form submitted (cannot be edited after submission)

3. Financial documents (I-864)

IRS Tax Transcript. Treat as required for London: NVC accepts a transcript OR a complete return copy, but London has issued 221(g) after interview for a missing transcript even where DQ was already granted. Obtain the transcript from irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript for every sponsor and joint sponsor and upload it before the interview date. See the NVC guide for what to submit if the transcript is not yet available.

I-864 completed and wet-signed (not digital)

Tax return: IRS transcript via IRS.gov/ID.me for every sponsor (a 1040 with W-2s meets NVC's minimum only, see warning above)

Employment letter confirming current employment and income

If self-employed (sponsor or joint sponsor): full return with all schedules (C/E/F/SE), 12 months business bank statements, business registration/EIN, signed business description

Joint sponsor and I-864A (if applicable), with scenario-specific income evidence (see guide: joint sponsor documentation by scenario)

Income is 125% of federal poverty line

Petitioner's US domicile: a joint sponsor cannot fix this. A joint sponsor cures insufficient income. It cannot cure the petitioner's domicile. If the petitioner is not domiciled in the US they do not qualify as a sponsor at all, and State Department guidance to consular officers is explicit: “A joint sponsor cannot be accepted and the applicant must be refused pursuant to INA 212(a)(4)” (9 FAM 601.14-7(a)(3)(c)). A petitioner keeping their principal residence outside the US “could not normally claim a U.S. domicile and would be ineligible to submit Form I-864”. NVC does not always ask for domicile evidence. Upload it anyway. See the petitioner's domicile problem.

Petitioner's proof of US domicile, uploaded under “Other” if there is no dedicated slot. Strongest first: US tax filing showing domestic earned income, W-2, current US job contract or signed offer with a start date, utility bills in the petitioner's name at a US address across several months, US school or university enrollment. A lease, mortgage or deed evidences an address, not a residence: include it, but never as your only domicile evidence.

If the petitioner lives abroad: evidence they are re-establishing US domicile. State Department guidance names opening a US bank account, transferring funds, US investments, seeking US employment, registering children in US schools, applying for a Social Security number, and voting. Add a dated written statement of intent, a moving or shipping quotation, and the US address arranged (a lease, or an arrangement to stay with family or friends, which the guidance accepts).

Joint sponsor's proof of US domicile (if a joint sponsor is filing). The joint sponsor must meet the same citizenship, age and domicile requirements as the petitioner.

Petitioner abroad on qualifying US employment? You may already be US-domiciled. A US citizen living abroad temporarily is treated as domiciled in the US if employed by: the US government; a recognised US research institution; a US firm or corporation engaged in whole or in part in developing US foreign trade or commerce, or a subsidiary of one; a public international organisation the US belongs to by treaty or statute; or a US religious denomination as clergy or a missionary (9 FAM 601.14-7(b), INA 319(b)(1)). Check this before assuming you have a problem. An LPR sponsor abroad is similarly domiciled in the US if they obtained the preservation of residence benefit under INA 316(b) or 317.

4. Document categories at NVC stage

Category	Required	Notes
Civil (Identity)	✓	Birth certificates for all applicants (certified copies). Marriage certificate (certified). If previously married, all divorce decrees or death certificates (certified).
Translation	✓	All non-English documents must be translated. Certified translation required if USCIS deems it necessary.
Financial	✓	Sponsor: IRS tax transcript, employment letter, financial evidence. Joint sponsor: Same requirements plus I-864A. See Section 3 for detailed list.
Forms	✓	DS-260 (one per applicant, submitted in CEAC). I-864 (wet-signed by sponsor, required for all). I-864A if joint sponsor.
Police	✓	ACRO certificate (UK) for each applicant 16+ or who lived abroad 6+ months. See Section 5 for details.
Supporting	*	Passport biographic page, military records, adoption documents, name change deed (if applicable). See Section 6.
Medical	n/a	Medical exam not required at NVC stage. Scheduled for Medical Day closer to interview date.

For a complete breakdown of all document requirements at each stage (I-130, NVC, Medical, Interview) with detailed notes on formats and translations, see Master Document Checklist.

5. Police certificates (ACRO for UK)

ACRO (UK):

Standard: £68 / up to 20 working days
Premium: £121 / up to 2 working days
Website: acro.police.uk
Validity: 12 months for embassy purposes

Police cert for each applicant 16+ who held other citizenship

Police cert for each applicant who lived abroad 6+ months

Police cert for each country lived 12+ months after age 16

If applicable: foreign police certs from countries of citizenship

Real certificate uploaded before interview (not placeholder)

6. Supporting documents

Passport biographic page (photocopy)

Military records (if applicable)

Adoption documents (if applicable)

Name change deed (if applicable)

7. Final checks

Documents uploaded to correct category (not random folders)

Real police certificate submitted before interview (never placeholder)

Document Finder: travel.state.gov: Civil Documents by Country

Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Verify all requirements against official sources before your appointment. If your case is complex, consult an immigration attorney.