(a) General. If a claimant or an annuitant provides an original document or record as evidence to prove eligibility or continued entitlement to payments, where possible, a Board employee will make a photocopy or transcript of these original documents or records and return the original documents to the person who furnished them. A claimant may also submit certified copies of original records as described in paragraph (c) of this section. The Board may also accept uncertified copies as described in paragraph (d) of this section.

(b) Foreign-language documents. If the evidence submitted is a foreign-language document, the Board may require that the record be translated. An acceptable translation includes, but is not limited to, a translation certified by a United States consular official or employee of the Department of State authorized to certify evidence, or by an employee of the Board or the Social Security Administration.

(c) Certified copies of original records. The Board will accept copies of original records or extracts from records if they are certified as true and exact copies of the original by—

(1) The official custodian of the record;

(2) A Veterans Administration employee, if the evidence was given to that agency to obtain veterans benefits;

(3) A Social Security Administration employee, if the evidence was given to that agency to obtain social security benefits;

(4) A United States Consular Officer, an employee of the Department of State, or an employee of the Immigration and Naturalization Service authorized to certify evidence received outside the United States; or

(5) An employee of a state agency or state welfare office authorized to certify copies of original records in the agency's or office's files.

(d) Uncertified copies and facsimiles. In lieu of certified paper copies of records or extracts from such official sources as listed in paragraph (c) of this section, the Board will accept facsimile copies of such records or extracts when the official custodian of such records transmits the facsimile directly to an office of the Board and the source of the transmittal is clearly identified on the facsimile.

[54 FR 31942, Aug. 3, 1989, as amended at 65 FR 19829, Apr. 13, 2000]