August 2009 AOS Filers

[Inna 0]

Hey, Betti and mae232, NO WORRIES. It was strange I recieved RFE, usually people send photocopies of certified copies of the marriage certificate, and they are fine, don't get any RFEs. They must have lost mine or something, or....the are just ret..ded lol jk

I thought maybe they were asking for a copy of the original certificate, but everyone I asked said USCIS are talking- certified.

Also, I found a thread on another immigration forum, where a person got RFE for sending a copy of the original marriage certificate copy, not certified, so Idk why would they need the original from me. Thus, I just sent a certified copy-this time the original one, just in case...

Edited August 26, 2009 by Inna

[rahulv 4]

I got an RFE in email. Yet to get the actual letter though.... Thinking out loud here. waiting.....

[cHiQy 1]

hope my Receipt Notice will arrive today i need to show it to my school advisor

waiting for the mailman

GOODLUCK everyone

[Betti 1]

I am currently waiting for the letter telling me the appointment for the biometrics. I am getting impatient. My NOAs had the dtae 08/19, how long does it usually take for the biometrics-letter to follow? From the timelines here I saw everything from 1 to 9 days. I hope to get it before the weekend!

I got an RFE in email. Yet to get the actual letter though.... Thinking out loud here. waiting.....

Do you have any idea what it might be? Did you make a copy of your package and have a chance to look it up?

I hope it's nothing big that can be solved quickly...good luck!

Edited August 26, 2009 by Betti

[BigBubble 1]

Hey BigBubble, did you get a certified copy of the marriage certificate? I hope everyone is doing well, I sent the RFE response on Saturday, and it should get to Missouri this week. For those of you who do not know I recieved an RFE for a copy of the marriage certificate, which, as a matter of fact, I sent with both I-485 and I-130. I sent 2 photocopies of a certified copy with the package, so have no clue why the RFE. This time I sent the actual certified copy which cost me $26.50. If they send me another RFE with the same content, then I'm getting a gun!

Keep your timelines updated, and good luck to everyone who just started their process!

Hi Inna!

Yes I have a certified copy....but who know what will happen!! I guess they like to make it difficult sometimes.

Good luck and hope you wont get more RFE. I am sending the papers this Friday, Finally!!!!

[BigBubble 1]

Hey, Betti and mae232, NO WORRIES. It was strange I recieved RFE, usually people send photocopies of certified copies of the marriage certificate, and they are fine, don't get any RFEs. They must have lost mine or something, or....the are just ret..ded lol jk

I thought maybe they were asking for a copy of the original certificate, but everyone I asked said USCIS are talking- certified.

Also, I found a thread on another immigration forum, where a person got RFE for sending a copy of the original marriage certificate copy, not certified, so Idk why would they need the original from me. Thus, I just sent a certified copy-this time the original one, just in case...

Wait!! Now I am confused!!! Whats the difference between a copy of marriage certificate and a copy of a certified copy???? The marriage certificate is the one with the green borders they give you after you get married, right?

[BigBubble 1]

Me again!

I was checking tne instructions for the I-130 and it says "copy of your marriage certificate"...it doesnt say anything about certified copy

[Betti 1]

Hey, Betti and mae232, NO WORRIES. It was strange I recieved RFE, usually people send photocopies of certified copies of the marriage certificate, and they are fine, don't get any RFEs. They must have lost mine or something, or....the are just ret..ded lol jk

I thought maybe they were asking for a copy of the original certificate, but everyone I asked said USCIS are talking- certified.

Also, I found a thread on another immigration forum, where a person got RFE for sending a copy of the original marriage certificate copy, not certified, so Idk why would they need the original from me. Thus, I just sent a certified copy-this time the original one, just in case...

Wait!! Now I am confused!!! Whats the difference between a copy of marriage certificate and a copy of a certified copy???? The marriage certificate is the one with the green borders they give you after you get married, right?

The difference is:

copy of marriage certificate: you have your original certificate (color) and make a normal photocopy of it

copy of certified copy: you didn't wait to get your original certificate and got a certified copy (black and white with golden seal and stamp) right after the wedding. You have a normal photocopy of that.

I sent in the copy of the certified copy with my application, because in the instructions it only says copy of the marriage certificate. And the certified copy counts just as much as the original is what I was told when I got it! :-)

Edited August 27, 2009 by Betti

[Inna 0]

BigBubble, yes on the USCIS instruction it just says "copy", but it's because they don't specify what they actually want for some reason. Here is a thread you can read about someone who sent a copy of the original.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...php/t56876.html

Also, I've searched SO MUCH on this topic, and not a single person who went through aos process said you need to send a copy of the original m.c., but the certified copy.

[Betti 1]

BigBubble, yes on the USCIS instruction it just says "copy", but it's because they don't specify what they actually want for some reason. Here is a thread you can read about someone who sent a copy of the original.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...php/t56876.html

Also, I've searched SO MUCH on this topic, and not a single person who went through aos process said you need to send a copy of the original m.c., but the certified copy.

Inna, in the link you posted they clearly say that a copy of the marriage certificate is great to send in! What they sent in first was a copy of the marriage license. After the wedding you have to take the license back and get the marriage registered and once you've that you receive the marriage certificate (which is the license with a golden seal and a signature on it) via mail. Right after registering you can also buy a certified copy though, which counts exactly like the original certificate that you receive via mail and that you can take with you right then instead of wait for the original in the mail.

It is not necessary to send a certified copy with the AOS application, a photocopy of the certified copy or the original is good enough (according to the instructions).

[BigBubble 1]

BigBubble, yes on the USCIS instruction it just says "copy", but it's because they don't specify what they actually want for some reason. Here is a thread you can read about someone who sent a copy of the original.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/lofivers...php/t56876.html

Also, I've searched SO MUCH on this topic, and not a single person who went through aos process said you need to send a copy of the original m.c., but the certified copy.

Inna, in the link you posted they clearly say that a copy of the marriage certificate is great to send in! What they sent in first was a copy of the marriage license. After the wedding you have to take the license back and get the marriage registered and once you've that you receive the marriage certificate (which is the license with a golden seal and a signature on it) via mail. Right after registering you can also buy a certified copy though, which counts exactly like the original certificate that you receive via mail and that you can take with you right then instead of wait for the original in the mail.

It is not necessary to send a certified copy with the AOS application, a photocopy of the certified copy or the original is good enough (according to the instructions).

Thanks Inna for the thread. So maybe you sent a copy of your license?

Thanks Betti, now I get it, sometimes the more you read the more confused you get! haha

[Inna 0]

Betti, I guess it's different in different states. In AZ you get a sheet with marriage license that also has 2 same marriage certificate parts that are signed by the married couple,witnesses and the person perfoming the ceremony. One is given to the couple at the day of the wedding, and the other one is sent to the city registrat. Once they record it, a couple can get a certified copy of it, which establishes it was recorded.

If you think of it, for instance, a random, unauthorized person could sign the certificate instead of a judge or a priest, and never send it to the City Clerk. A certified copy proves that the marriage was officially recorded. It may vary in different states, but I'm talking from my personal experience

Edited August 27, 2009 by Inna

[BigBubble 1]

Hey,

I know it may be a stupid question but...how did you attached the passport pictures?. I think I read in the guides to insert them in a plastic bag. What kind of bag? Should I attach them to the forms or is it ok attach them to a blank papei with a paperclip? Thanks

Inna, did you send the new G325a? How many copies did you send of it?

[Inna 0]

I sent the old version of G-325A, I think. 4 copies for each I-485 and I-130.

Either way you mentioned is fine to attach passport photos. I just made 'baggies' myself: cut a piece of paper, folded it so that it's a bit bigger than size of the photo,and stapled the sides. I couldn't find liitle baggies in 2 grocery stores, so I didn't want to look anymore, and just made my own. I made 4 of those to go with I-485, I-765, I-130 ant put the photos in them, attaching them with paperclips to the front of the forms. You can use a blank sheet of paper and attach it to the back of the forms (in a little baggy, just in case, so the photos don't get lost), or just attach plastic baggies to the front of the forms.

Also, you should write on the baggies "Photo of _",and name in the back of each passport photo. I attched:

- a baggy with 2 photos to G-325A in my I-485 folder

- a baggy with 2 photos with I-765

- a baggy with a photo of my hasband with his G-325A in I-130 folder

- a baggy with a photo of myself with my G-325A in I-130 folder

[HWANG0926 0]

Hey Everyone~ Can someone tell me: if my BIOMETRICS appt letter is coming?? or LOST in the mail? Should I be Worried? This is what my status states online:-- I DID receive NOA 1 for I765 and I485 but nothing for finger printing?? should i call USCIS?

Current Status: Fingerprint fee accepted; receipt notice mailed and case pending.

On August 17, 2009, your fingerprint fee was accepted and we have mailed you a notice describing how we will process your case. Your case is now pending. Please follow any instructions on this notice. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, call customer service. We process each kind of case in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. This case is at our NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER location. Follow the link below for current processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. Just follow the link below to register.