I was recently hired to represent someone who is in the middle of the process of applying for a permanent resident visa abroad – a process that is handled by the Department of State. I needed information about the case which is currently being handled by the State Department’s National Visa Center. I sent them my question along with the State Department’s form DS-3032, which is entitled, “Choice of Address and Agent for Immigrant Visa Applicants,” which a visa applicant uses to designate whom he or she would like to represent him. I got the following email from the State Department today:
Dear Sir/Madam:
Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).
If you would like to be listed as legal representative, please forward a copy of your G-28 for this case.
Please be advised our office has revised our guidelines for communication between the National Visa Center and the public. We are now required to verify case information before providing any case details.
As the legal representative, in order to provide you with case specific information, we must have a G-28 or attorney letterhead regarding representation on file at the NVC. If we do not already have this on file, please submit the following information:
Signed form G-28 – Notice of Entry of Appearance of Attorney or Representative (only needs to be submitted if not on file)
NVC case number or CIS receipt number
Petitioner’s name and date of birth (For I-140 petitions, petitioning company’s name only) or Beneficiary’s name and date of birth
Attorney’s law firm name, address and your full name
Please resubmit your inquiry including the required information.
Form G-28 is a Department of Homeland Security form. Why would the Department of State need a Form G-28, particularly when they have their own form – which I sent them? I think both the client and I made our intentions clear, which is the purpose of the form.
The Department of State then asks for the applicant’s birth date, when there is no place on the form to put a birth date?
I understand the need for procedures, but it is pretty weird for an agency to have a form for a specific purpose and then require that a customer submit a form from another agency to accomplish the same purpose. Published July 20, 2011.