Hi,
I am currently filling out the i-485 for a status change from F-1 to Permanent Resident.

In the "initial evidence" for the form, it states "Submit a copy of your foreign birth certificate"

Does that mean I can provide a photocopy? Or must I obtain an official copy of the document? I am currently in the US but my place of birth is England, so obtaining an official birth certificate copy would be difficult. I do have the original but that is the ORIGINAL, I'd much rather not turn that in and never see it again.

I hope I can get a prompt response from you guys! Any advice will be extremely helpful as I need to submit this form ASAP. Thanks!

It's customary in immigration processing to just send photocopies of supporting documents unless specifically required (during adjudication, as a request for evidence), but not on the initial submission. You can take a clearly legible photocopy of your birth certificate, show both to a notary public around your place, who will then notarize for you the copy off your original, and you're all set.

I used to be a Notary Public, Kraghack...and just as Rough Neighbor said, you shouldn't have a problem bringing your ORIGINAL and a photocopy of same to a Notary. BUT, I always typed (or had them type) the following:

"Certified to be a TRUE copy of the original document". If you get any hassle from the Notary, just tell them that you have the only original and don't want to send it in because it could get lost, etc.. You should have no problem!

I've even travelled to the islands, using a certified copy of my birth certificate, which was notarized. I've never had a problem. Good Luck!

Thanks a lot guys, you are lifesavers! Thank you very much for your prompt and informative replies. =)