Do we need a copy of the marriage license also?

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

Hey payxibka

You're right I just re-read the instructions and it just appears to say copies...

Well since we have a spare certified copy of the marriage cert maybe i'll put that in for the i-130... Then just throw in photo copies for the other forms...

Hopefully this will be ok...

What did everyone else do? Photo copy or certified copy...

Thanks you guys I really appreciate your help.

I used photocopies OF the certified copy, if that makes sense. I didn't send in any original with my husband's AOS papers because you will NOT get them back. Therefore, if you're attached to any original documents, don't send them in! Photocopies are fine and then make sure to bring the originals in with you to the interview

[juliava 80]

If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or certified copies is sufficient...

So...what did I just say before?

Like I said-I-130 needs a a certified copy.

[juliava 80]

Hey payxibka

You're right I just re-read the instructions and it just appears to say copies...

Well since we have a spare certified copy of the marriage cert maybe i'll put that in for the i-130... Then just throw in photo copies for the other forms...

Hopefully this will be ok...

What did everyone else do? Photo copy or certified copy...

Thanks you guys I really appreciate your help.

I used photocopies OF the certified copy, if that makes sense. I didn't send in any original with my husband's AOS papers because you will NOT get them back. Therefore, if you're attached to any original documents, don't send them in! Photocopies are fine and then make sure to bring the originals in with you to the interview

RebeccaandPhil-you are right-you should not send any originals!

Anyway a certified copy is NOT the original.

[evey 0]

Hi!

So our paperwork is coming together. We've ordered our official marriage certificate.

I was just wondering if the marriage certificate is sufficient or if we require a copy of the license too...

Thanks

So, if I a understanding you correctly BESIDES the divorce certified copy we also need a certified copy of the marriage certificate?

[juliava 80]

hey payxibika, all we did was make a copy (photocopy) of our original marriage certificate. we didnt spend extra money on getting extra marriage certificates. that was all we needed, and then just showed the IO our original at the interview

good luck

I don't think you know what you are talking about.

There is only 1 ORIGINAL marriage certificate and that one is in the court house data base, NOT in your hands.

What the Court House gives you is a certified copy of that marriage certificate. That's what you have at home, you do not and you will never have the original.

Have you ever asked yourself how in the world the court house issues and sends a certified copy without the original?Well, they do it because they have it.

Another thing...look at your "photocopy" or the so called "original" marriage certificate by you...Are your social security numbers there?why not?/You did type it when you applied for the license, didn't you?Where did they go?

The answer is simple: your certified copy or whatever you call "original" will never-ever have your social security numbers to avoid identity theft...This document could be used in so many situations, think about how many hands could access that?

However, FYI-your social security numbers did not get deleted. They are in your ORIGINAL marriage license that you will never have. It will stay at your courthouse forever where it belongs.

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

Hi!

So our paperwork is coming together. We've ordered our official marriage certificate.

I was just wondering if the marriage certificate is sufficient or if we require a copy of the license too...

Thanks

So, if I a understanding you correctly BESIDES the divorce certified copy we also need a certified copy of the marriage certificate?

Yes you will need to order a certified copy of your marriage certificate to bring with you to the interview

[visacheck 3]

If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or certified copies is sufficient...

So...what did I just say before?

Like I said-I-130 needs a a certified copy.

Payxibka meant Regular photocopies of original or Regular photocopies of Certified copies are sufficient.

Didnt say or mean Certified copies are sufficient.

I read the I-130 instructions and it said "copy of marriage certificate."

I-485 instructions say that "unless specifically required than an original document be filed with an application or petition, a ordinary legible photocopy may be submitted."

Edited October 30, 2009 by visacheck

[payxibka 10,045]

If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or certified copies is sufficient...

So...what did I just say before?

Like I said-I-130 needs a a certified copy.

need to improve reading comprehension skills

Edited October 31, 2009 by payxibka

[juliava 80]

If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or certified copies is sufficient...

So...what did I just say before?

Like I said-I-130 needs a a certified copy.

need to improve reading comprehension skills

No need to be sarcastic. You become off topic!

What you are trying to say here is that USCIS accepts a photocopy of a certified copy? What is that?A copy of a copy?Does it make any sense to you?What are the certified copies for then?

I would read it and understand it the way YOU do it if you added one more word:

"If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or of certified copies is sufficient..."

[juliava 80]

If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or certified copies is sufficient...

So...what did I just say before?

Like I said-I-130 needs a a certified copy.

Payxibka meant Regular photocopies of original or Regular photocopies of Certified copies are sufficient.

Didnt say or mean Certified copies are sufficient.

I read the I-130 instructions and it said "copy of marriage certificate."

I-485 instructions say that "unless specifically required than an original document be filed with an application or petition, a ordinary legible photocopy may be submitted."

ok...So....what would you understand here...a photocopy of the original or a photocopy of the certified copy (meaning a copy of a copy?).

I still believe that an expression like "photocopy of a certified copy" doesn't make any sense and it shouldn't encouraged for using.

[payxibka 10,045]

if the original document is maintained with the government agency (which birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees are)... the best you can have physically in your possession is a "certified" copy of the original document... the USCIS does not need the actual "certified" copy of the original document, but a simple regular photocopy of that document... so in this instance, it is a copy of a copy of an original document...

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

I am getting confused with all these copies of copies and in order to help prevent the OP from being confused too (she is, after all, trying to mail in her forms shortly!), let's lay it out straight here.

When you send in a form to the state you were married in requesting a marriage certificate they will send you back a paper in the mail. Regardless of whether or not it is THE original, that doesn't matter. What matters is that the paper they send you now becomes YOUR original because it's the only copy of your marriage certificate you have (assuming you only ordered one). Therefore, USCIS does not require you to send in YOUR original certificate since that would leave you empty handed. So, take that piece of paper to a photocopying machine and make a copy (black & white is fine even). Send this in with the documents and bring the original (that is, YOUR original) to the interview with you.

[visacheck 3]

If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or certified copies is sufficient...

So...what did I just say before?

Like I said-I-130 needs a a certified copy.

Payxibka meant Regular photocopies of original or Regular photocopies of Certified copies are sufficient.

Didnt say or mean Certified copies are sufficient.

I read the I-130 instructions and it said "copy of marriage certificate."

I-485 instructions say that "unless specifically required than an original document be filed with an application or petition, a ordinary legible photocopy may be submitted."

ok...So....what would you understand here...a photocopy of the original or a photocopy of the certified copy (meaning a copy of a copy?).

I still believe that an expression like "photocopy of a certified copy" doesn't make any sense and it shouldn't encouraged for using.

You yourself said that nobody gets the original copy because it stays with the court. The person only gets a certified copy. Ofcourse you can submit the certified copy together with the application but why would you want to pay another fee just to get another certified copy in case you needed one?! You will end up paying twice for a certified copy where in fact USCIS accepts a legible photocopy. Do you even understand that?!

Tell me, whats wrong with a copy of a certified copy?! What doesnt make sense in that and why it shouldnt be encouraged?

The more it should be encouraged because people can save money just by making a photocopy instead of submitting the certified copy because USCIS does not require it anyway.

[juliava 80]

As long as it works, everybody should use whatever they want to use.

In my case the certified copies of the marriage license DID work. It does not cost a fortune, it costs $2 per copy.

I DID not request any other certified copies for other types of documentation.

Good luck, Marie09!

[juliava 80]

If you read the instructions to the forms it says unless specifically requested the USCIS does NOT routinely ask for originals and regular photocopies of original or certified copies is sufficient...

So...what did I just say before?

Like I said-I-130 needs a a certified copy.

Payxibka meant Regular photocopies of original or Regular photocopies of Certified copies are sufficient.

Didnt say or mean Certified copies are sufficient.

I read the I-130 instructions and it said "copy of marriage certificate."

I-485 instructions say that "unless specifically required than an original document be filed with an application or petition, a ordinary legible photocopy may be submitted."

ok...So....what would you understand here...a photocopy of the original or a photocopy of the certified copy (meaning a copy of a copy?).

I still believe that an expression like "photocopy of a certified copy" doesn't make any sense and it shouldn't encouraged for using.

You yourself said that nobody gets the original copy because it stays with the court. The person only gets a certified copy. Ofcourse you can submit the certified copy together with the application but why would you want to pay another fee just to get another certified copy in case you needed one?! You will end up paying twice for a certified copy where in fact USCIS accepts a legible photocopy. Do you even understand that?!

No need to question my level of understanding on this topic. A photcopy costs money too. A certified copy is $2. Basically you are talking about approximately $1.50 savings.

Tell me, whats wrong with a copy of a certified copy?! What doesnt make sense in that and why it shouldnt be encouraged?

The more it should be encouraged because people can save money just by making a photocopy instead of submitting the certified copy because USCIS does not require it anyway.

I could ask the same thing. What is wrong with the certified copy of a marriage license?There might be people who don't care about the big "1.50 savings" and when they get married they order not just 1, but more than 1 copy knowing that they will need it in in the future, not just for USCIS but for other businesses and law enforcement agencies.

Tell me 1 case, just 1 when USCIS rejected a certified copy of a marriage certificate saying that they need "a photocopy".