What exactly do they mean by "current marriage certificate" ?

[Sven 0]

When we married we got an original copy of our marriage certificate. Can I use this one or do I have to go there and get a "current" copy? I mean it dosen't matter, sicne it's both the same. I jsut don't know what they mean by "current". Maybe current as in your current spouse ( if you've been married before). I think it's 40 bucks to pick up aa copy and I'd like to save the money if I can.

[Anh map 2,098]

A copy of your current marriage certificate (current spouse).

[NickD 202]

Well if current marriage implies either one or both of you had previous marriage/s, they want proof those marriages were dissolved, either by death, annulment, or a divorce, for both of you. Have to send in those papers, a copy will do, but bring in the originals to your interview.

We got a deal from our county clerk, 8 bucks for the first copy, five bucks for successive copies, and our state says if you make your own copy of your marriage certificate, can be fined $10,000.00. Never heard of anyone getting fined, but we may have been the first ones, works that way at times.

I could comprehend why they wanted all this stuff for our AOSm but why again for USC? Then all that proof for removal of conditions, same proof again for USC, but you are in no position to question that. Least to the USCIS.

[Sven 0]

Well, we were never married before. I guess I don't have to pick up a new one When go and piuck up a new one, they stamp it obviously ( sealing it ) and it shows the date of that day. That's what I thought they were asking for. For a copy with the current date.

Edited January 16, 2010 by Sven

[RichardS 0]

They are NOT looking for a marriage certificate with a current date ... they just want a copy of the original which you already possess. Current marriage certificate means the one that "is in force" now ..... when you both were originally married!

Also, do not send the original for the N-400 application! Only send a photo-copy .... Just take it with you at the time of interview! Good luck!

[NickD 202]

They are NOT looking for a marriage certificate with a current date ... they just want a copy of the original which you already possess. Current marriage certificate means the one that "is in force" now ..... when you both were originally married!

Also, do not send the original for the N-400 application! Only send a photo-copy .... Just take it with you at the time of interview! Good luck!

Unless your state law states it's against the law to make a copy, now that would be brilliant to save a couple of bucks and let the USCIS know that you broke one of your state laws. Think before you talk.

[Sven 0]

Thank you, Richard. I've never heard that I can't make a copy of it myself But wouldn't they say " certified copy " if they wanted to have a copy from the court house?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

NickD - I can find no State that makes the act of photocopying a marriage license illegal. There are some counties that say don't photocopy - come back to us so we can charge you to give you another official copy - but there is nothing I can find that says that the act of photocopying a marriage certificate is illegal statewide. A photocopy is not a legal document but USCIS is not requesting the legal document - they are requesting a photocopy of the legal document - and then the legal document is presented at the interview, if requested. Please give directions to official State websites that state the act of photocopying a marriage certificate is against the law.

Ok - I did the legwork. I checked official sites for every single State in the US (didn't do the territories, though) and in all states except for Wisconsin it is perfectly legal to make a photocopy of the marriage certificate. In Iowa you are not allowed to make a photocopy of the marriage certificate before it is registered, but once it is registered it is ok to make a photocopy. Since the recipients don't receive their marriage certificate until it is registered that shouldn't be a problem. Many States in fact require a photocopy of the marriage certificate in order to qualify for certain benefits or to verify name changes for Driver's Licenses, etc. Plain ordinary photocopies - not certified copies - are also available from many State offices for minimal fees along with certified and apostilled copies. So, if you live in Wisconsin you are not allowed to make a photocopy of a marriage certificate - but everywhere else in the US it is perfectly legal.

Edited January 17, 2010 by Kathryn41

[NickD 202]

NickD - I can find no State that makes the act of photocopying a marriage license illegal. There are some counties that say don't photocopy - come back to us so we can charge you to give you another official copy - but there is nothing I can find that says that the act of photocopying a marriage certificate is illegal statewide. A photocopy is not a legal document but USCIS is not requesting the legal document - they are requesting a photocopy of the legal document - and then the legal document is presented at the interview, if requested. Please give directions to official State websites that state the act of photocopying a marriage certificate is against the law.

Weird state, the State of Wisconsin, has the following laws, if one spouse is a resident of this state, must apply for a marriage license in this state or subject to a $10,000.00 fine, but can get married anywhere, if either party had a divorce, regardless of he reason, have to wait an additional six months before you can get married, after apply for a marriage license, have to wait two weeks before getting married. It's the only state in the union with these laws, also the only state in the union where you need an EPA 609 certificate to buy a can of R-134a refrigerant.

Could scan and post our marriage certificate and show you the $10,000 fine if you make a copy of it, but that would mean copying our certificate, wouldn't it?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Weird state, the State of Wisconsin, has the following laws, if one spouse is a resident of this state, must apply for a marriage license in this state or subject to a $10,000.00 fine, but can get married anywhere, if either party had a divorce, regardless of he reason, have to wait an additional six months before you can get married, after apply for a marriage license, have to wait two weeks before getting married. It's the only state in the union with these laws, also the only state in the union where you need an EPA 609 certificate to buy a can of R-134a refrigerant.

Could scan and post our marriage certificate and show you the $10,000 fine if you make a copy of it, but that would mean copying our certificate, wouldn't it?

Weird state indeed! So progressive in many ways and so regressive in others.

[NickD 202]

Weird state indeed! So progressive in many ways and so regressive in others.

They claim they are doing that to reduce the high divorce rate but don't seem to be providing statistics to back it up. Also a no-fault divorce state, not good if you are married to a very irresponsible person that drives your household deep into debt, if there is only one can of beans left, that irresponsible person gets half of it.

USCIS also isn't very kind to a sponsoring USC if they get taken by an immigrant, still stuck with that I-864 if that person is taken. And also can be accused of fraud.

[RichardS 0]

NickD

THINK BEFORE YOU WRITE .... no need to be rude OR a jerk to others unless you truly are one!

[antda 13]

Hi Sven,

In answer to your question...

Current Marriage Certificate = Certificate of the marriage that you are currently in.

Doesn't matter if you were married 1, 2, 3,...10, etc. years ago.....They just want a copy of your marriage certificate for your current marriage. That's all...

Give a photocopy to the USCIS. Keep the original and bring that original with your for the interview just in case they ask...

That's what I did, and it worked for me (lol.though they didnt bother asking me for the original..guess the 15 cents photocopy of my marriage certificate, that is about 3+ years old, is fine with them.......)...

Hope this helps too. No need to spend an extra $40 for an extra copy. Good luck with the rest of your journey too.

Ant

When we married we got an original copy of our marriage certificate. Can I use this one or do I have to go there and get a "current" copy? I mean it dosen't matter, sicne it's both the same. I jsut don't know what they mean by "current". Maybe current as in your current spouse ( if you've been married before). I think it's 40 bucks to pick up aa copy and I'd like to save the money if I can.

Edited January 17, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

Now here is another interesting off-topic note....

On the naturalzation certificate...It says..."It is illegal to make copies" (or something along those lines)...

But if one loses their naturalization certificate, a photocopy of such to the USCIS is needed in order for a replacement...

So in this way, isn't the USCIS being contradictory in ways and promoting illegal activities........

Just a thought.... Better not lose that certificate!

Ant