Please keep in mind that USCIS might have different requirements than the Consulate in Guangzhou, so they might need the other type of document you mentioned. Everything posted by USCONGUZ in this forum only applies to the US Consulate in Guangzhou. Other Embassies, Consulates, and USCIS have different requirements and processes. 198207[/snapback] Okay, Dear Everyone, Let's me tell you my latest experience( Yesterday Mar. 23, 2006) with my Direct Consulate Filing. Started from last week. Last Friday I phoned GuZ consulate with my husband, ask the lady which kind of notary certify they need, there are two kinds of notarizations like Mama Bear mentioned. And the lady of Consulate told me Both of them, these are for my Marriage and Divorce certificates. It was proved yesterday when My hubby and I went to Guang Zhou Consulate to file the I-130 petition. They checked both kinds of Nortaries. Because I don't have a Birth Certificate, so I did the Birth Nortary. But Yesterday The Consulate lady told my hubby: only the nortary is not enough, and she handed my hubby a note about the regulation and asked me to get a certificate from local security bureau( my Hu Kou's Pai Chu Suo), also need to be nortarilized. And this Morning I went to Pai Chu Suo, be told they don't certify people's Birth, though I got what i want because I know someone in the Pai Chu Suo. The point to me is why consulate wants something that is very difficult to get or even can't get, unless petitioner or the benificiary knows some people!! Doesn't make any sense. In China people's private file ( Ge Ren Dang An) are managed by Ren Shi Ju instead of Security Bereau! The regulation says: Birth documents of the Beneficiary: 1. Original Birth Certificate issued by the hospital If the Original Birth Certificate is not able to submit, please providea letterhead certificate issued by local public Security Bureau certifying the original is kept on record or at loss. The exact date of birth and the names of the parents should be listed on the certificate; 2. Notarial Birth Certificate A certificate, which certifies the name of the Beneficiary, his/her date of birth and the names of the parents. This certificate must be applied with the local Notary public office. 3. Notarized Translation of the Original Birth Certificate. A certificate, which includes a copy of the Bene's original birth certificate and a full English translation.(If a copy of the original Birth Certificate cannot be submmitted, a copy of the Certificate form the local public Security Bureau and a notarized full English translation must be submitted instead.)