Notarising copies

[Johnny Spangle 0]

The I-485 form asks only for copies of birth and marriage certificates, rather than the originals.

The form does not specify whether the copies must be notarised or not.

Do you know if copies of documents must be notarised for I-485, or for any of the AoS package?

Thanks in advance.

[Keith & Xiang 0]

The I-485 form asks only for copies of birth and marriage certificates, rather than the originals.

The form does not specify whether the copies must be notarised or not.

Do you know if copies of documents must be notarised for I-485, or for any of the AoS package?

Thanks in advance.

To be on the safe side I would get the copies notarized. I know that banks will notarize the copies for free if you have a checking or savings account with them. If they are asking for "copies", I would by all means get the copies notarized.

Thanks,

Keith & Xiang

[Dr_LHA 3]

I don't believe that anything needs to be notarized. You used to have to notarize the affidavit of support, but not any more with the new version (I missed it by a week).

[Johnny Spangle 0]

Hmm.

Has anyone had a refusal due to lack of notarization I wonder? Or, has anyone gone through the process ok without notarizing copies?

[Dr_LHA 3]

I've never heard of that. Apart from the Affidavit, I didn't notarise any of my stuff, although I'm not very far along right now I'm not having any issues yet (fingers crossed). I believe if they are sceptical about the documents they will simply ask for originals at the interview.

[Gatorfan 0]

In Florida, you can not get a copy notarized if a certfied copy is also attainable. Florida Statue 117.05(12)

I believe other states have a similar rule.

Therefore, you will not be able to the Marriage Certificate or the birth certificate notarized, because you can get certified copies of those from the issuing Authority.

It would be impossible for those of us in Florida to get the copies notarized if the USCIS required it. Therefore, I do not think they will reject the documents if they are not notarized.

Edited July 24, 2006 by Gatorfan

[Yodrak 7]

Johnny Spangle,

What is there to notarize about a photocopy?

Yodrak

The I-485 form asks only for copies of birth and marriage certificates, rather than the originals.

The form does not specify whether the copies must be notarised or not.

Do you know if copies of documents must be notarised for I-485, or for any of the AoS package?

Thanks in advance.

Edited July 24, 2006 by Yodrak

[Dr_LHA 3]

Johnny Spangle,

What is there to notarize about a photocopy?

Yodrak

Yodrak, some legal issues I've been involved with require photocopies to be notarized, in order to prove that they are not faked in any way. Its a lot easier to fake a photocopy, than an original document, after all. In these cases the notarization was to prove that the photocopies were true representations of the original documents.

In the case of filing AOS however, I don't believe this is necessary.

[Yodrak 7]

dr_lha,

Good answer, on both counts.

Yodrak

Johnny Spangle,

What is there to notarize about a photocopy?

Yodrak

Yodrak, some legal issues I've been involved with require photocopies to be notarized, in order to prove that they are not faked in any way. Its a lot easier to fake a photocopy, than an original document, after all. In these cases the notarization was to prove that the photocopies were true representations of the original documents.

In the case of filing AOS however, I don't believe this is necessary.

[Debby 0]

I don't think there is any need for notorised copies as they don't ask for them and when it comes time for the interview you need to take along to the interview copies and originals of all documents submitted in AOS paperwork.

Debby

[desert_fox 32]

dont notarize nuttin!!! Only the Aff. of Support as the instructions say.

In your cover letter with your package...tell them that you are enclosing copies of all relevant documents, and that the originals will be available at the time of any interview.

[Miranda&James 8]

dont notarize nuttin!!! Only the Aff. of Support as the instructions say.

In your cover letter with your package...tell them that you are enclosing copies of all relevant documents, and that the originals will be available at the time of any interview.

Even the new I-864 does not require a notarization.

Just as a note, we will send certified copies of both Birth and Marriage certificiates. It may not be required but I'd rather send that then possibly get an RFE for a photocopy they don't think is up to standards.