RFE doesn't make sense...

[What Happened? 4]

Received the RFE in the mail today. They want a certified english translation of the marriage certificate. I provided this with my petition. They are saying it is unclear that the document received is the marriage certificate.

The letter states that according to the Department of State's foreign affairs manual, marriage certificates in Italy are issued by the Office of Vital Statistics (Ufficio di Stato Civile) of the town where the person was born or resides, or where the marriage took place.

We were married in Verona, my husband resides in Verona and our marriage certificate clearly states that it is from the Ufficio di Stato Civile.....in Verona

I don't know.....maybe they lost the translation.

All I can do is send another certified english translation with the Italian version.....I don't know what else to do.

Any suggestions?

[Otto 83]

.....maybe they lost the translation.

Perhaps - or the translation isn't clear that it belongs with the certificate.

Based on what you've said, I might submit both again - highlighting the translation and attach a brief letter of explanation. (IMO)

[What Happened? 4]

.....maybe they lost the translation.

Perhaps - or the translation isn't clear that it belongs with the certificate.

Based on what you've said, I might submit both again - highlighting the translation and attach a brief letter of explanation. (IMO)

Yes, that's the only thing I can think of too.

Thank you.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Was your original translation certified ? Was the certification part of the translation or on a separate paper ?

[What Happened? 4]

Was your original translation certified ? Was the certification part of the translation or on a separate paper ?

The original translation was certified and the certification was on the same paper as the translation.

The person reviewing the paperwork would need to look all the way at the bottom of the marriage certificate by the signature to see that it was issued by The Ufficio di Stato Civile, as required. Maybe they just didn't see it?

Also, nowhere on the marriage certificate does it specifically say Certificato di Matrimonio (marriage certificate). It says civil matrimony (Matrimonio Civile).

Before marrying in Italy we contacted the US embassy in Rome to make certain that we followed all of the necessary procedures so that our marriage would be considered legal under the Hague convention.

It was suggested to just resubmit with explaination. I was thinking to get a nother translation and highlight the information that would answer the question of whether it is the marriage certificate, as suggested previously and maybe provide them with the information we obtained from the embassy and from the courts in Verona.

Just seems a little bizarre....

After responding to an RFE, if the information provided does not satisfy them what happens? Do they send you another RFE?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I hae read of people that get several RFE's on different subjects I don't know if they find your response lacking if it is a new RFE . Probably. Good luck

[trailmix 77]

Was your original translation certified ? Was the certification part of the translation or on a separate paper ?

The original translation was certified and the certification was on the same paper as the translation.

The person reviewing the paperwork would need to look all the way at the bottom of the marriage certificate by the signature to see that it was issued by The Ufficio di Stato Civile, as required. Maybe they just didn't see it?

Also, nowhere on the marriage certificate does it specifically say Certificato di Matrimonio (marriage certificate). It says civil matrimony (Matrimonio Civile).

Before marrying in Italy we contacted the US embassy in Rome to make certain that we followed all of the necessary procedures so that our marriage would be considered legal under the Hague convention.

It was suggested to just resubmit with explaination. I was thinking to get a nother translation and highlight the information that would answer the question of whether it is the marriage certificate, as suggested previously and maybe provide them with the information we obtained from the embassy and from the courts in Verona.

Just seems a little bizarre....

After responding to an RFE, if the information provided does not satisfy them what happens? Do they send you another RFE?

I do think at some point they give up and defer presentation of a document to the interview.

Anyway, before you do anything else I would call NVC tomorrow and ask to speak to a supervisor. Don't be put off if they try to discourage you from speaking to a supervisor, just be pleasant and firm and don't take no for an answer.

When you get to the supervisor, ask him or her to explain to you exactly what was lacking with your first submission. If they tell you something you have already submitted - you can explain that to them and then they will offer to look at it. They will then tell you that it will take 10 - 15 days to review. It does not normally take that long. There is no use in just speaking to the operator that picks up the phone, they can't really see anything you don't already know from information you got on the RFE.

Once you have the information you can now proceed to get what they are saying you did not send. Now of course, the supervisor may find that indeed you did have everything right the first time around, however you don't want to take the actual 5 or so days waiting to hear back - without doing anything.

Good luck.