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)

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

Tax return: transcript via IRS.gov/ID.me OR 1040 with W-2s

Employment letter confirming current employment and income

Joint sponsor and I-864A (if applicable)

Income is 125% of federal poverty line

4. Civil documents

Birth certificates (certified copies)

Marriage certificate (certified copy)

Divorce decrees or death certificates (if previously married)

All non-English documents translated (certified if required)

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

🖼️ PLACEHOLDER: Illustration of documents being reviewed, organised, clean.

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