I haven't applied for a visa myself, but I have been around the forums for a few years, so I am familiar with what documents need to be included, so I can help with a coupe of things:
I have heard all kinds of mixed messages as to supporting documents. I had heard that a copy of his passport and a copy of his long form birth certificate were fine, then heard on of them had to be the actual original.
Yes, if you are only sending a photocopy of the passport photo page, then the birth certificate must be original - because the birth certificate is being used to prove that the passport photocopy is authentic (and the certificate was just a photocopy, you wouldn't be proving the authenticity of anything because both could potentially be fake).
You have 3 options for his passport:
1) Send his original passport (not advisable in case he needs it while your visa is being processed)
2) Send a certified/notified copy of his passport photo page
3) Send a regular photocopy plus his
original long-form (A4 size) birth certificate
I had heard in addition to him making enough to support me, we also had to show a savings. Then I heard no, as long as he makes enough.
All you need to show is that between you, you have at least £105.95 left over each week after paying rent and council tax (plus £62.33 per week, per child if any children will be living with you) - i.e. you need to show you have at least as much money as a couple/family on income support benefit would receive from the government to live off. So, if it's just the 2 of you, then you will need to show you have at least £459.12 left per month after paying rent/mortgage and council tax.
If he can meet this requirement on his income alone, then that is all you need to have for the financial part of the application. However, if you also have any savings (either you or him), you can include evidence of them in addition to his income (i.e. the more money you can show you have, the better, but you'll be fine as long as you meet the minimum requirement).
The documents you must send for finances are:
- at least the last 3 months of his pay slips,
- at least the last 3 months of his bank statements,
- any savings account statements you might have if you want to include savings in the application as well
You can read the entry clearance guidance for maintenance and accommodation (what the consular staff use to determine if you meet the requirements) here:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/ecg/maintenanceaccommodation
