Marriage Certificate Copy

[Mary and Jeff 0]

Hi Everyone,

We're starting to put together out AOS package, and I was wondering if you need to send in an original Marriage Certificate you get at the courthouse, or if a regular copy of the marriage certificate will do?

I prefer to hold on to our original Marriage Certificates if possible, but if I am required to give up one of the nice ones...no big deal. I was wondering if anyone might know if just a simple copy is fine.

Thanks,

Mary & Jeff

[payxibka 10,045]

The answer is in the instructions to the form. It indicates that unless specifically asked for, the USCIS routinely does NOT require original documents and a regular photocopy is acceptable.

[winifredbee 1]

Hi Everyone,

We're starting to put together out AOS package, and I was wondering if you need to send in an original Marriage Certificate you get at the courthouse, or if a regular copy of the marriage certificate will do?

I prefer to hold on to our original Marriage Certificates if possible, but if I am required to give up one of the nice ones...no big deal. I was wondering if anyone might know if just a simple copy is fine.

Thanks,

Mary & Jeff

I sent in a certified copy. When I picked up the original I got two extra copies from the town hall we applied through. I would go back to the office and get a certified copy to be safe. Mine had a little stamp at the bottom of the page.

[Cherry&Ed 4]

Hi Everyone,

We're starting to put together out AOS package, and I was wondering if you need to send in an original Marriage Certificate you get at the courthouse, or if a regular copy of the marriage certificate will do?

I prefer to hold on to our original Marriage Certificates if possible, but if I am required to give up one of the nice ones...no big deal. I was wondering if anyone might know if just a simple copy is fine.

Thanks,

Mary & Jeff

I asked my husband to get a certified copy of our marriage certificate from the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for $9.00. Keep the original, just include the certified copy in your AOS application.

[winifredbee 1]

I just looked at the instructions and it says 'copy' so maybe either is fine.

[Mary and Jeff 0]

Thanks so much for the help.

I was a bit confused as I searched around the forums, as it seemed some used the original and others used copies...so I just want to clear it up.

I'll go ahead with just a copy and see how it goes... with Mary here in the States now it seems I'm willing to live with a RFE as she isn't 5,000 miles away now

Thanks again everyone!

Mary & Jeff

[payxibka 10,045]

no need to play it safe a REGULAR photocopy is just fine....

[Brad and Vika 129]

We ordered several certified copies of our certificate, so we had extras to send. My point though, is that it was a certified copy that went out with our AOS package - and our interview is next week (no RFE).

[payxibka 10,045]

My wife submitted a regular photocopy of the certified certificate... she was approved without RFE and without interview

Edited August 9, 2009 by payxibka

[Brad and Vika 129]

My wife submitted a regular photocopy of the certified certificate... she was approved without RFE and without interview

Not arguing the point, just confirming that copies still work with a recent example.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi Everyone,

We're starting to put together out AOS package, and I was wondering if you need to send in an original Marriage Certificate you get at the courthouse, or if a regular copy of the marriage certificate will do?

I prefer to hold on to our original Marriage Certificates if possible, but if I am required to give up one of the nice ones...no big deal. I was wondering if anyone might know if just a simple copy is fine.

Thanks,

Mary & Jeff

I sent an original, of which I got several. I can get more as needed at $5 each from the town clerk. I would say get a few originals for future use. You will also need one to add her to your insurance, but a regular photocopy is fine for that. For $5 and a 3 minute drive to the town clerk, I do not risk an RFE.

no need to play it safe a REGULAR photocopy is just fine....

Sounds like your answer. I played it safe, probably not necessary

[payxibka 10,045]

no need to play it safe a REGULAR photocopy is just fine....

Sounds like your answer. I played it safe, probably not necessary

not my answer, but the answer particularly when you read the instructions carefully and interpret literally

[Old Dominion 26]

Only at the AOS interview, if there is one, will you need an original.

[SMR 368]

Just make sure that you are clear on which are official certificates and which are decorative. It probably varies from county to county and state to state, but in my county, we didn't ever receive the original of the official certificate. We could buy certified copies for $5 but the original stays on record in the county courthouse. Maybe you can send a photocopy of a certified copy; I don't know. Just don't send a photocopy of a unofficial certificate. That will get you an RFE for sure.