Passport for Visa...certified copies?

Ok, I know this has been a hot topic recently but I really need some clarification for our situation...
 
Fiance will be in TX with me for 12 days AFTER we get married and send off for the spouse visa, and originally we were planning on sending his orginal passport along with all the other stuff. 
 
But then we got to thinking today and realized if we want to go out for a drink or something, he really needs his passport on him for proof of ID.   
 
Someone said it was ok to send a certified copy of his passport (rather, a photocopy signed by a solicitor, correct?)  as long as we include the long-form birth certificate (which we have).   
 
He has his driving license, but I'm afraid that won't be enough because I think legally he's supposed to carry his passport at all times while he's in the US, right?   
 
Additionally, would it be better to get the certified copy of the passport, and have him carry that around in case we want to go for a drink (he's 28 but you never know in TX, they card people who look 40 sometimes), and send the original passport anyway?  Not sure if people would accept the copy, but really the visa is the most important thing...we can drink at home!
 
I emailed the LA consulate the same question, but whether I get a reply remains a question.


 

Yep, certfied copy for HIM is fine (unless they've changed something recently), but you need to send your passport as they will attach your visa to your passport.

From what I understand from the website you can send a certified/notarized copy of his passport, every page has to be stamped/notarized.
  That is what we will be doing, since my DF refuses to send his original passport by mail.

If it's just the lack of ID he's concerned about, his drivers license should be fine.  I don't know of any rule stating you have to have your passport on you at all times when visiting other countries.  I certainly don't do this for security reasons.  WHere would I be if it got lost or stollen?! 

A signed copy of the passport won't be enough.  Every page has to be notorised, with a little rubber seal and everything.  Can be rather expensive!!

I sent in my own original passport, but with his I just used a notorised copy of the page with the photo and information on it.

We were going to get some stuff notarized just to be official and the solicitor wanted about £25 per page! we quickly scratched that idea