Another excuse by USCIS..

[Levi_Heather 0]

I did get the marriage certificates from my previous marriages and divorce papers also but thats for the interview at the consulate. Our consulate does require it.

[gogo 6]

yes, I thought so too.. you just need the "former marriage" certificates at the interview portion.. not when you originally send the I-130 in... I had been told this morning by my wife.. she said a neighbor who previously works at the consulate said so.. she has been helping people (off the side) for over 30 years doing the DS-230s and everything after approval.. she said she told the people who asked for help to also send in the "former marriage" certificate.. I thought that you only needed to prove a "termination" (which is a "divorce" certificate).. from what I see everyday on Visajourney, that's the way it is..

but yeah, I never received any RFEs before.. just to show up for that local office interview back in February..

Edited July 11, 2008 by gogo

[shenxu 0]

thanks shenxu.. but sometimes you don't want to wait too long.. If she was here already, then they can take a few years and I wouldn't care..

take it easy, i know its really really hard, but to be so upset has what use?

我知道现在很难过，我也感觉事情都好难过，放心吧，天天会越来越好一些呢。希望能快了点办好了！

同时你不要忘了，你妻子也很难过，为了她需要坚持！事情都会好了。

[gogo 6]

ohhhhh... that's very sad... :crying:

[nunyab 0]

Wait..... (gulp) so I need to get the marriage certificates of my previous marriage? I sent in the divorce decree but not the marriage certificate???? my husband (the beneficary) hasn't any previous marriages I am the petitioner is that still necessary?

GoGo I am sooooooo sorry for you. I hope this all changes soon for the better for you.

[wowswift 3]

Wait..... (gulp) so I need to get the marriage certificates of my previous marriage? I sent in the divorce decree but not the marriage certificate???? my husband (the beneficary) hasn't any previous marriages I am the petitioner is that still necessary?

GoGo I am sooooooo sorry for you. I hope this all changes soon for the better for you.

Ya, I'm worried now too cuz I don't even have one since I was considered common law in Texas. So if they ask, its impossible for me to supply. (I'm the USC, husband was never married before)

[rebeccajo 14]

It's not uncommon for the female half to need to produce former marriage certificates as well as divorce decrees.

It's done to 'match up' the names listed on the G325a and any other biographical forms.

[Catt 6]

It's not uncommon for the female half to need to produce former marriage certificates as well as divorce decrees.

It's done to 'match up' the names listed on the G325a and any other biographical forms.

If this really is commonly asked, then it is strange that the DOS website itself doesn't even mention them as required, it only says termination of prior marriage documentation. And it isn't even mentioned on the I-130 instructions by CIS.

If the reason would really be comparing the names listed to those on the bio information, then that reason is questionnable. The names are also on the divorce (or other termination) papers themselves.

Also, why would only women be asked for them and not men?

But if the documents are really required by CIS or NVC/Consulate, Gogo, then I would try and obtain them best I can. You think there is a way for your wife to get this document quickly?

However, in general, I doubt that this really is or will be asked as a rule. I am real sorry about the way they are treating you and your wife, Gogo.

Edited July 12, 2008 by Catt

[rcars3 0]

this is not a common practice and have never heard of this among my large circle of immigrant friends...i think he just pissed off the wrong person.

[4theloveofhenry 8]

I have been following your story and have to say that I am soooo sooo sorry you and your wife are going through this. No family should forcefully seperated in this way and it is so unfair the way you are being treated. You have every right to be angry! However as someone posted before me, dont let yourself get so worked up and upset. You have every right to be upset but you also have every right to get your case approved and you do not want to do or say anything to the powers that be that will put that in detriment. Someontimes when we get very angry and upset we can lose all rational thought and going purely on emotion with someone that holds this much power over your life can be a dangerous thing.

Take some time out and do somthing nice for yourself, like going to get a massage or having dinner out with a good friend or family memeber. Somone you can vent to that will be understanding. Give yourself a couple of days away from this situation letting some of these wounds heal. I know it is easier said than done but the best thing you can give yourself and this situation is a clear head. You cannot go into battle with a foggy mind. And that is what this is, a battle of wits and stamina. You want to be the one to outwit and outlast the USCIS and the only way to do that is to put your emotions on the back burner and have a clear and sharp picture of things. Take care and I cannot wait to hear the good news of your approval

[rebeccajo 14]

It's not uncommon for the female half to need to produce former marriage certificates as well as divorce decrees.

It's done to 'match up' the names listed on the G325a and any other biographical forms.

If this really is commonly asked, then it is strange that the DOS website itself doesn't even mention them as required, it only says termination of prior marriage documentation. And it isn't even mentioned on the I-130 instructions by CIS.

If the reason would really be comparing the names listed to those on the bio information, then that reason is questionnable. The names are also on the divorce (or other termination) papers themselves.

Also, why would only women be asked for them and not men?

But if the documents are really required by CIS or NVC/Consulate, Gogo, then I would try and obtain them best I can. You think there is a way for your wife to get this document quickly?

However, in general, I doubt that this really is or will be asked as a rule. I am real sorry about the way they are treating you and your wife, Gogo.

Gogo's petition isn't even to DOS yet. So I'm not certain why you are looking there. But anecdotally it is quite common especially at the interview stage (which is under DOS juris) for marriage certificates to be requested.

But in case you were wondering why it might be asked for now, look to the instructions for form I-129F, #6 Section C and form I-130, Page 3 "What if your name has changed?".

Edited July 13, 2008 by rebeccajo

[LaL 418]

It's not uncommon for the female half to need to produce former marriage certificates as well as divorce decrees.

It's done to 'match up' the names listed on the G325a and any other biographical forms.

Ah - ok that makes sense. Thanks!

[Catt 6]

It's not uncommon for the female half to need to produce former marriage certificates as well as divorce decrees.

It's done to 'match up' the names listed on the G325a and any other biographical forms.

If this really is commonly asked, then it is strange that the DOS website itself doesn't even mention them as required, it only says termination of prior marriage documentation. And it isn't even mentioned on the I-130 instructions by CIS.

If the reason would really be comparing the names listed to those on the bio information, then that reason is questionnable. The names are also on the divorce (or other termination) papers themselves.

Also, why would only women be asked for them and not men?

But if the documents are really required by CIS or NVC/Consulate, Gogo, then I would try and obtain them best I can. You think there is a way for your wife to get this document quickly?

However, in general, I doubt that this really is or will be asked as a rule. I am real sorry about the way they are treating you and your wife, Gogo.

Gogo's petition isn't even to DOS yet. So I'm not certain why you are looking there. But anecdotally it is quite common especially at the interview stage (which is under DOS juris) for marriage certificates to be requested.

But in case you were wondering why it might be asked for now, look to the instructions for form I-129F, #6 Section C and form I-130, Page 3 "What if your name has changed?".

As already mentioned in my previous post, it isn't mentioned in the I-130 instructions from CIS either and that is definitely where Gogo is at right now.

Furthermore, names don't change per definition due to marriage. Unlike in the US, here it is the big exception in fact. There are plenty of other countries where the same applies. So I fail to see the relevance of your reference to that.

And again, why would it only be asked for women and not for men?

I wonder on what basis you assume that this would be common practice (since other people, like rcars, seem to state the exact opposite).

Edited July 13, 2008 by Catt

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Marriage certificates are not always asked for. My husband was married twice before and divorced and I did not have to provide copies of his marriage certificates, only the divorce decrees. I was not married before so have none to provide. I suspect that if someone wanted to compile the information they would probably find that in the cases where marriage certificates have been requested it is for female applicants or beneficiaries who reside in countries where it is the normal practice for the woman to take the man's name upon marriage.

It is important in all identification processes to 'fill in the paper-trail blanks' between the name the individual had at birth and the name the individual holds now. The most common means of changing one's name for a woman is by marriage, so if there is a female applicant or beneficiary from a country where this is the norm, it is reasonable to expect that USCIS will request proof that the individual who signed her name as Jane Doe and presented a divorce certificate for Jane Doe but birth certificate for Jane Brown be asked to provide the document that changed her name from Brown to Doe - ie. the marriage certificate. The flaw in the US instructions is that they assume that the document that changed the name is a marriage certificate - but it might be an adoption certificate or a legal name change certificate as well. I suspect if the marriage certificate didn't provide the paper trail of the name change, they would then request the documents that did.

They aren't just being mean and out to get you - there is usually a rationale for a request like this. Because we are not looking at the whole picture but just our particular part of it sometimes we don't see other factors that might - or might now -be relevent.

Edited July 13, 2008 by Kathryn41

[rebeccajo 14]

It's not uncommon for the female half to need to produce former marriage certificates as well as divorce decrees.

It's done to 'match up' the names listed on the G325a and any other biographical forms.

If this really is commonly asked, then it is strange that the DOS website itself doesn't even mention them as required, it only says termination of prior marriage documentation. And it isn't even mentioned on the I-130 instructions by CIS.

If the reason would really be comparing the names listed to those on the bio information, then that reason is questionnable. The names are also on the divorce (or other termination) papers themselves.

Also, why would only women be asked for them and not men?

But if the documents are really required by CIS or NVC/Consulate, Gogo, then I would try and obtain them best I can. You think there is a way for your wife to get this document quickly?

However, in general, I doubt that this really is or will be asked as a rule. I am real sorry about the way they are treating you and your wife, Gogo.

Gogo's petition isn't even to DOS yet. So I'm not certain why you are looking there. But anecdotally it is quite common especially at the interview stage (which is under DOS juris) for marriage certificates to be requested.

But in case you were wondering why it might be asked for now, look to the instructions for form I-129F, #6 Section C and form I-130, Page 3 "What if your name has changed?".

As already mentioned in my previous post, it isn't mentioned in the I-130 instructions from CIS either and that is definitely where Gogo is at right now.

Furthermore, names don't change per definition due to marriage. Unlike in the US, here it is the big exception in fact. There are plenty of other countries where the same applies. So I fail to see the relevance of your reference to that.

And again, why would it only be asked for women and not for men?

I wonder on what basis you assume that this would be common practice (since other people, like rcars, seem to state the exact opposite).

The basis is anecdotal evidence through the years.

Kathryn mentions above the 'whole picture' and things we cannot see. I presume when you post it is a 'big exception' here you are alluding to China (you don't indicate a country of origin in your profile). I presume you mean that women don't change their name?

One thing I have never mentioned to gogo is all the Communist Party trouble that goes on with Chinese beneficiaries. Who knows what is delaying his case. If his wife was a former member (or is now) this could be causing delays. I should like to add here that I'm fully aware membership in the Communist Party isn't some sort of 'black label' - I'm aware many people in China are forced to join. So I'm making no judgment calls on gogo's wife. What I am saying is there may be some effort on the part of USCIS to acertain exactly who gogo's wife is. Her name could be similar to someone very notable.

It's all just a guess.

Edited July 13, 2008 by rebeccajo