Can we use a fax copy of marriage license to file I-130

[Todd-Leah 0]

My USC husband had spent the last two months gathering documents to file I-130. Yesterday, he said everything is ready except for the marriage license. He had misplaced the marriage license and had tried to look for it high and low for the last two weeks to no avail. He wants me to mail him my copy now.

My question is: can a faxed copy be used instead?

He has wasted so much time gathering documents and looking for missing papers. Can I fax the marriage license or scan a copy for him to print out instead of mailing the copy through the postal system and waste another week or so?

Leah

[coolgt 0]

you can but you will get rfe, unless your hushand or you have it notarize

[Todd-Leah 0]

you can but you will get rfe, unless your hushand or you have it notarize

What do you mean by RTE? Are we required to notorize the marriage license that mail in with I-130? He will need the original copy with him to do the notorization, won't he?

Leah

[payxibka 10,045]

you can but you will get rfe, unless your hushand or you have it notarize

On what basis do you make this statement?

From the I-130 instructions:

A copy of your marriage certificate.

I will call your attention to the highlighted item. A copy is acceptable and no where does it indicate that notarization is required.

[Nick/Nadia Bluma 0]

you can but you will get rfe, unless your hushand or you have it notarize

What do you mean by RTE? Are we required to notorize the marriage license that mail in with I-130? He will need the original copy with him to do the notorization, won't he?

Leah

Hi Leah,

My husband filed a copy of our marriage certificate. The copy was notarized/certified. And yes, you do need the original to get it notarized/certified. If you submit a copy/fax/scan without it being notarized or at least certified as a true copy of the original you will, almost certainly, get an RFE (request for evidence), which causes delays in the process. Our notarized/certified copy was not a problem - we got approved yesterday!

[simple_male 1]

My USC husband had spent the last two months gathering documents to file I-130. Yesterday, he said everything is ready except for the marriage license. He had misplaced the marriage license and had tried to look for it high and low for the last two weeks to no avail. He wants me to mail him my copy now.

My question is: can a faxed copy be used instead?

He has wasted so much time gathering documents and looking for missing papers. Can I fax the marriage license or scan a copy for him to print out instead of mailing the copy through the postal system and waste another week or so?

Leah

A faxed copy will be fine with I-130 to be sent to USCIS. Original will be needed during the last stages of NVC process or during the interview. The copy does not need to be notarized either. The instructions don't ask for notarization and it also clearly says a copy is fine.

It is not good to give wrong answers which can be unhelpful unless one is 100% sure.

Edited March 12, 2008 by simple_male

[Todd-Leah 0]

My USC husband had spent the last two months gathering documents to file I-130. Yesterday, he said everything is ready except for the marriage license. He had misplaced the marriage license and had tried to look for it high and low for the last two weeks to no avail. He wants me to mail him my copy now.

My question is: can a faxed copy be used instead?

He has wasted so much time gathering documents and looking for missing papers. Can I fax the marriage license or scan a copy for him to print out instead of mailing the copy through the postal system and waste another week or so?

Leah

A faxed copy will be fine with I-130 to be sent to USCIS. Original will be needed during the last stages of NVC process or during the interview. The copy does not need to be notarized either. The instructions don't ask for notarization and it also clearly says a copy is fine.

It is not good to give wrong answers which can be unhelpful unless one is 100% sure.

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.

I just scanned the marriage license and the translation, getting ready to email them.

Leah