Renewing TN: Question About Documentation

Hi,

This may be a ridiculous question, but I need to ask:

My husband and I are renewing our TN/TD status for the first time. Since last September, we have had his university diploma professionally framed, and we would have to destroy the frame in order to remove the diploma. Would the officer at the POE be willing to accept the diploma in the frame, or would they find it awkward/annoying? Do they need to photocopy this diploma (in which case I'd have to remove it anyway)?

Thanks for any information.

I know a few people who've taken their framed diplomas with them. NO idea if they've been asked to remove them from the frame though.

Hey,
The frame is expensive.

I did two TN in the past.

The first time I just show them my transcript (it shows I have conferred my degree in XXXX). No diploma needed.

Second time I decided to do someone different ( dunno why?)

I gave them the same physical transcript from the 1st time and my diploma(not framed). THe POE asked me, do I have a copy for her. I said no, she said that is fine. I believe she took a photocopy of it.

This is the end of the story.
I guess transcript is very sufficient. Your diploma is a extra plus.

A transcript is not sufficient. It says in the regulations that you need to have your ORIGINAL copy.

Not sure about the frame though - I would probably take it in the frame and then if they asked to remove it, do it then.

Thanks for your advice everyone. I think I will go ahead and leave it in the frame, and I will remove it if they ask me to do so at the POE. I'm going in about two weeks, so I will update this thread and let you know what happens.

Well, my Transcript is obviously ORIGINAL.

So according to

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types ... 274.html#3

A Canadian citizen without a TN visa can apply at a U.S. port of entry with all of the following:

* Request for admission under TN status to Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. immigration officer;
* Employment Letter - Evidence of professional employment. See Employment Letter below;
* Proof of professional qualifications, such as transcripts of grades, licenses, certificates, degrees, and/or records of previous employment;
* Proof of ability to meet applicable license requirements;
* Proof of Canadian citizenship- Canadian citizens may present a passport, as visas are not required, or they may provide secondary evidence, such as a birth certificate. However, Canadian citizens traveling to the United States from outside the Western Hemisphere are required to present a valid passport at the port-of-entry;
* Fee of U.S. $50

It needs to be original. The only criteria is that it needs to prove you have such degree.

Transcript is sufficient if it proof you professional qualifications

Can't you get a copy of the certificate from the university?

In order to get a "replacement diploma" (as it's called) from his alma mater, he would need a notarized letter declaring (under the Canada Evidence Act) that his original diploma was damaged, lost, or destroyed. An $85 fee is required, and it takes quite awhile to process. I'm assuming that this is standard practice for all universities in Ontario, although I could be wrong!

Waterloo lets you apply for a duplicate, without having lost your original, but it says "Duplicate" on it. I considered this, but figured it might raise some questions at Customs. I guess if the "Duplicate" was subtle enough I could frame that one, and use the original for my TN applications.