I think I have it easy, but then...

[evil_homer-1]

Hi, I'm just about to start preparing my visa documents and all the attachments. I am currently waiting for my police check, and looking to get my birth certifcate etc certified.

I am applying for an interdependent vis, as my girlfriend is an Aussie citizen. So, my visa should in theory be easier to grant than most (hopefully).

We aren't using an agent, as we are trying to minimise our expenditure at the moment, so I'll be posting some further questions should we get stuck, so all help would be gratefully received.

I am currently looking for a one-stop medical place, where I can just walk in and get everything done in one hit so to speak. Ideally in North London or the city, so if any of you lovely people know if such a place exsists, please respond.

Thank you very much.

[BigLes]

I'm not quite at the getting medicals stage as I just submitted my visa application a couple of weeks ago - but I was wondering the same thing about a one stop medical - if you do a search on thread subjects on medicals there's a link is saw yesterday somewhere to the Oz immigration site which has a list of their panel of doctors around the UK regions and some specify which have radiology departments at the same place so best check there first.

[BigLes]

Found the link - click below and just look under UK and it'll tell you local medical centres - watch out for the ones with radiology departments!!

Contact Us

[evil_homer-1]

Thanks a lot for the link, just got to pluck up the courage to allow someone to stick a needle in my arm!!

Whilst here, can anyone tell me who can certify copies of my birth certificate etc?

I spoke to a local solictor, who wants £125.00 PER SIGNATURE!!

Does anyoen know if there is a list of people/jobs that can certify copies?

cheers people

[parsonsbigfamilyadventure]

Hi

We went to Knightsbridge Doctors in London, I phoned around and thses came out the cheapest and they did everthing all under one roof, if you are anywhere near Essex I found a solicitor who charged £20 for 40 signatures.

Joanne

[hays]

Originally Posted by evil_homer-1

Thanks a lot for the link, just got to pluck up the courage to allow someone to stick a needle in my arm!!

Whilst here, can anyone tell me who can certify copies of my birth certificate etc?

I spoke to a local solictor, who wants £125.00 PER SIGNATURE!!

Does anyoen know if there is a list of people/jobs that can certify copies?

cheers people

I called around a few solicitors and it ranged from £5 per doc up to £9 per doc. I also tried the local Justice of the peace which in some places are free (try your local magistrates court) but our one wanted £8per doc. In th end we've used a high ranking police officer friend, have sent the docs off but we havent heard yet if thats acceptable!!! Some people have used Nurses and police officers, so Heres hoping!!

[BigLes]

Definately ring round solicitors - first I was quoted £5 per document - then tried a public notiary (whatever they are!!) who charged £220/hr and wouldn't sign all the pages but just bind them all together with a sworn statement saying they are all true copies which I didn't feel would be appropriate and I was unsure how long it would take so not sure how much he'd charge - minimum charge was for 20mins!!.

Finally I rang another local solicitors who said they charged 50p a document and they sounded like they'd done what I needed before - I took all the originals and a copy of each for them as there were over 50 sheets so they could just check it was a copy stamp, date and sign - they charged £25 - and even said if I had a few more just bob in and she'd do them for free!!!

I think some solicitors might be a little sharp (did I say that out loud??!!!!!) - but I don't want to cast aspersions so to be fair and give them the benefit of the doubt I think in reality there's a little bit of confusion over what is actually required. As far as I am aware all I think you need is a document certified as a true copy for visa applications - whereas some documents to be legal documents for use abroad have got to be officially notarised which I know makes a document more valuable - and may be that warrants the higher charge per document?? If it was explained what the documents were to be used for they might not charge as higher rates for just true copies? May be any solicitors on the forum here could clarify why fees seem to vary so massively if they know?? A little transparancy would go a long way here.

[silverstargazer38]

its definately worth ringing round, just phone some up from the yellow pages ,the smaller solicitors charge less,
we paid £2.00 per signature and £5.00 for the statutory declaration

[Gollywobbler]

Hi Evil Homer -1

Welcome to Poms in Oz and do you mind f I call you "Evil" for short????

You will also need Forms 26 & 160. Look for them here, at the bottom of the Health Page.

Visas and migration - Australian High Commission

I'm not convinced you are on the right track about an interdependency visa unless you and your girlfirind are both ladies?

I think perhaps you should be looking at the Spouse/de facto visa instead?

If you thik I might be right, the info is here:

Spouse Visa: Offshore Temporary and Permanent (Subclasses 309 and 100)

Good luck with your application.

Cheers

Gill