What Is the Civil Surgeon Certification on Form I-693?
Quick Answer
The civil surgeon certification is the final section of Form I-693 in which the civil surgeon attests, under penalty of perjury, that the examination was performed in accordance with USCIS requirements and that all findings are accurately documented. The certification includes the civil surgeon's signature, the date of certification, and the civil surgeon's USCIS designation number.
What Does the Civil Surgeon Certify?
By signing the certification section of Form I-693, the civil surgeon attests that they personally performed the immigration medical examination in accordance with USCIS technical instructions, that all required tests and evaluations were completed, that the findings documented on the form are accurate and complete, and that the applicant meets or does not meet the medical requirements for immigration. The certification is made under penalty of perjury, which means the civil surgeon faces legal consequences for knowingly providing false information.
The USCIS Designation Number
Every civil surgeon designated by USCIS is assigned a unique designation number. This number must appear on the certification section of Form I-693. USCIS uses the designation number to verify that the examination was performed by a currently authorized civil surgeon. If the civil surgeon's designation has lapsed or been revoked, the form will be rejected regardless of the quality of the examination. Always confirm that your civil surgeon is currently designated before scheduling your appointment.
The Signature and Date
The civil surgeon must sign Form I-693 in ink and date the certification. The date of the civil surgeon's signature is the date from which the form's two-year validity period begins. It is also the date that USCIS uses to determine whether the form was submitted within the required timeframe. An unsigned or undated form will be rejected by USCIS. The civil surgeon must sign the form personally — a stamp or electronic signature is not acceptable.
What the Certification Means Legally
The civil surgeon certification creates a legal record that the examination was conducted properly and that the findings are accurate. If USCIS later discovers that the civil surgeon provided false or misleading information, the civil surgeon can face civil and criminal penalties, including loss of their USCIS designation. For the applicant, a fraudulent certification can result in denial of the immigration benefit and potential bars to future immigration benefits.
Sealing the Form After Certification
After completing the certification, the civil surgeon places Form I-693 in an envelope, seals it, and stamps or signs across the seal. This sealed envelope is given to the applicant for submission to USCIS. The sealed envelope must not be opened by anyone other than USCIS. If the envelope is opened or tampered with, USCIS will reject the form and require a new examination.
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