Embassy of the United States San Jose, Costa Rica

As we stated on the main Fraud Prevention Unit page, the consequences of fraud are extremely serious.  Below are the written warnings on some of the applications/documents that are commonly seen at the Consular Section.  The warnings speak for themselves.

• On the DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport or Registration) (pdf - 1MB) and the DS-82 (Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail) (pdf - 720KB), you will find the following warning:
  
  False statements made knowingly and willfully in passport applications or in affidavits or other supporting documents submitted therewith are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1001 and/or 18 U.S.C. 1542.  Alteration or mutilation of a passport issued pursuant to this application is punishable by fine and and/or imprisonment under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1543.  The use of a passport in violation of the restrictions contained therein or of the passport regulations is punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. 1544.  All statements and documents submitted are subject to verification.
• Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) contains the following warning:
  
  The Department of Homeland Security investigates claimed relationships and verifies the validity of documents.  The Department of Homeland Security seeks criminal prosecutions when family relationships are falsified to obtain visas.  Penalties:  You may, by law be imprisoned for not more than five years, or fined $250,000, or both, for entering into a marriage contract for the purpose of evading any provision of the immigration laws and you may be fined up to $10,000 or imprisoned up to five years or both, for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact or using any false document in submitting this petition.
• Form DS- 160 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) contains the following certification that the applicant must sign:
  
  I certify that I have read and understood all the questions set forth in this application and the answers I have furnished on this form are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any false or misleading statement may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial or entry into the United States.  I understand that possession of a visa does not automatically entitle the bearer to enter the United States of America upon arrival at a port of entry if he or she is found inadmissible.