AOS Package: Copies vs. Photocopies

[RealPi 0]

Hi everyone,

This question is simply shifting question c. from my "I-864 question 23" post to a new topic instead, since it did not *really* fit in that topic.

So, the question in its most general form states "what TYPE of copies do you submit for your supporting documentation for the AOS package?"

Now, some of these are obvious. Clearly, you do not simply send your actual Tax Returns but PHOTOCOPIES of these. But for some other documents it is not clear what needs to be done; the step-by-step guide does not mention this, as far as I can see.

I guess the best way to have my question answered is for you to tell me what you did in your case.

So: did you also submit with your AOS package the ACTUAL certified copy of marriage certificate that you paid for at the Recorder of Deeds or did you make a photocopy of it and submitted the photocopy instead?

Did you submit your birth certificate copy given to you by your foreign Recorder of Deeds (with attached certified translation) or did you make PHOTOCOPIES of these documents and submitted the photocopies instead?

As regards the latter, what particularly confuses me is this: you obtained a copy of your birth certificate from the foreign Recorder of Deeds, which has possibly legal stamps on it etc to indicate it was given by the Recorder of Deeds. Then you went and made photocopies of this (possibly).

The "original" copy of the birth certificate was then taken to a notary who could translate and who did so and who then affirmed that this was a true and genuine translation. The translation possibly had various legal stamps, stamps from the Bar Association Head acknowledging the signature of the notary doing the translation etc. You thus have an "original" translation too (going side by side with an "original" copy of the birth certificate); and you also made photocopies of this (possibly).

So you (can) have at the end of the day two "originals" and two corresponding sets of photocopies for each of the "originals".

What do you actually submit in the end as your "translated birth certificate copy"? There are four combinations here!

Thanks!

Pi

[payxibka 10,045]

The USCIS does not routinely (yes, exceptions do exist) require originals anymore. Unless specifically requested, photocopies are acceptable. Read the instructions carefully and simply include what is requested.

Edited July 10, 2008 by fwaguy

[English Muffin 59]

I sent photocopies of everything.

[sweetpiano 0]

Photocopies of everything.

And I made the translations myself (this is allowed), no need for the translation to be by a certified translator, what they want is certified translation, which means including the necessary text (the certification) at the bottom of the translation.

[RealPi 0]

Photocopies of everything.

And I made the translations myself (this is allowed), no need for the translation to be by a certified translator, what they want is certified translation, which means including the necessary text (the certification) at the bottom of the translation.

Thanks for that to everyone who gave their two cents on this.

Sweetpiano, thanks for your little tip about the translation. I just noticed that the translating notary abroad had only signed at the back of the translation that this is a true and faithful translation of the original, without mentioning whether they are fluent in English or not (which they are). However, had they not been conversant in English, then they would not have been able to legally sign that what they did was a true and faithful translation, would they?

Anyway, just to be safe ... would anyone think that adding a small text signed by me claiming that the notary is fluent in English and attaching it with the translation would suffice? Or do I actually need to ask her to mail me a new certification?

Thanks again!

Pi

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

When they say include a "copy" of something, that means a photocopy. You should not be sending any original documents.

[sweetpiano 0]

would anyone think that adding a small text signed by me claiming that the notary is fluent in English and attaching it with the translation would suffice? Or do I actually need to ask her to mail me a new certification?

Can't hurt, I would do it and not worry anymore about it. If they RFE for the certification (which I doubt), then you can resend a new certified translation done by yourself (to save on time and postage overseas).

Best of luck!

[ellla 0]

The only original document that my lawyer told me to send was the employment letter.

[RealPi 0]

The only original document that my lawyer told me to send was the employment letter.

Yes, this is because they need to see the signatures; this is a letter specifically addressed to the INS. However, my wife is not sending an employment letter but a photocopy of the employment contract which is as good; she would not send the actual original contract itself. Cheers though,

Pi

[RealPi 0]

The USCIS does not routinely (yes, exceptions do exist) require originals anymore. Unless specifically requested, photocopies are acceptable. Read the instructions carefully and simply include what is requested.

Actually the instructions can be misleading.

For example, strictly speaking, form I-485 requires a K-1 fiance(e) to submit his or her ACTUAL I-94.

Attach a copy of the fiance(e) petition approval notice, a copy of your marriage certificate, and your Form I-94

While if one looks at the next part (15C. based on asylum status) he might deduce that they only need a copy of Form I-94, it most certainly does not necessarily follow that this is the case for 15B, which is my case ...

This is the reason why this site rocks and is so valuable! I couldn't have done it so far without all of you guys Thanks again to all (and I mean all) the people who truly make this place one of the greatest forums ever

Pi