marriage certificate copy

[msd 3]

My husband and I got married in AZ, but he moved to GA now.

Can anybody tell me how I can get another certified copy of our certificate now? Can we just go to the county clerk in GA and request one?

[Darnell 8,478]

Check with the county clerk's office in AZ -see if they handle orders via web portal or snail mail.

As for GA - no, sorry- there is no 'trans-state ordering system' in place, at all.

when filing the I-130 - only a photo copy of the marriage certificate is required.

when doing NVC processing, a certified marriage certificate plus a photo copy is required for the DS-230 .

Good Luck !

[msd 3]

I doubt they do orders via web portal. They don't even like getting email.

We did get two certified copies ($26 each grrr) and sent one with the petition but I have the other one here and there's an Apostilla stapled to it so I don't want to send the original. It's the only one I have anymore.

[TOM&Riz 4]

I doubt they do orders via web portal. They don't even like getting email.

We did get two certified copies ($26 each grrr) and sent one with the petition but I have the other one here and there's an Apostilla stapled to it so I don't want to send the original. It's the only one I have anymore.

A. A copy of your marriage certificate.

Copies. If these instructions state that a copy of a document may be filed with this petition, submit a copy. If you choose to send the original, USCIS may keep that original for our records. If USCIS requires the original, it will be requested.

msd, maybe your confusing a copy with a certified copy, it does NOT have to be a certified copy, just take your marriage cert to any copy machine and make a few copies to send in and have for yourself

*forms instructions page uscis.gov

Edited April 9, 2010 by Tommy&Riza

[Darnell 8,478]

IMO, a 'certified copy' filed with I-130 petition was a waste of a 'certified copy'.

Sorry.

So - call up the county clerk's office, on the TELEPHONE,

and ask how to order more certified copies of the marriage certificate.

Good Luck !

[TOM&Riz 4]

IMO, a 'certified copy' filed with I-130 petition was a waste of a 'certified copy'.

Sorry.

So - call up the county clerk's office, on the TELEPHONE,

and ask how to order more certified copies of the marriage certificate.

Good Luck !

facts are the OP already sent an original, they only need a copy now DOS works from the same file as NVC

[msd 3]

From the shortcuts:

"However, NVC requires that applicants from certain countries (called "Appointment Posts" or "Appointment Processing" by NVC) send in part II (filled out but unsigned), as well as original copy or certified copy of birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, and various other records -- plus translations of everything. (This is so irrespective of whether you sent such documents in with your I-130 petition.)"

So you're telling me a good old uncertified copy would have done?

Why do I see people talking about certified copies all the time then???

Why would anybody even send a certified copy. All it does is cost money.

[TOM&Riz 4]

From the shortcuts:

"However, NVC requires that applicants from certain countries (called "Appointment Posts" or "Appointment Processing" by NVC) send in part II (filled out but unsigned), as well as original copy or certified copy of birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, and various other records -- plus translations of everything. (This is so irrespective of whether you sent such documents in with your I-130 petition.)"

So you're telling me a good old uncertified copy would have done?

Why do I see people talking about certified copies all the time then???

Why would anybody even send a certified copy. All it does is cost money.

msd although people try to give you and guide you the best knowledge they can, you should always get the final answer from some sort of official publication or inquire direct with the source. Information is available from the USCIS or DOS websites.

[Darnell 8,478]

From the shortcuts:

"However, NVC requires that applicants from certain countries (called "Appointment Posts" or "Appointment Processing" by NVC) send in part II (filled out but unsigned), as well as original copy or certified copy of birth, marriage, divorce, police certificates, and various other records -- plus translations of everything. (This is so irrespective of whether you sent such documents in with your I-130 petition.)"

So you're telling me a good old uncertified copy would have done?

Why do I see people talking about certified copies all the time then???

Why would anybody even send a certified copy. All it does is cost money.

Hey - I'm glad you got the distinction - initial I-130 submittal vs NVC Processing.

Photo Copies are OK with I-130 submittal.

NVC Processing (via the DS-230 ) requires original document, in this case a certified marriage certificate, plus a photocopy.

I know the wikis and guides are there mostly to stop one from having to run around the state.gov website (as that info and urls change regularly) but -

you may want to review the stuff about the DS-230, straight from the 'horses mouth', so to speak -

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3190.html

(ya, click the link, read all 7 pages )

The DS-230 is submitted during NVC processing, and has a 'original document requirement' to it.

Good Luck !! My apologies if I seem rude or snarky here, it was never my intent.

[msd 3]

Ok thank you. That makes sense now since in the guides, it only says a copy. I didn't realize that and thought they needed the real documents aswell.

Ugh... too late now.

Oh well.

Also, I just realized, I have a certified copy of my "record of marriage". Not the certificate. This is what I sent to USCIS.

The certificate I have as an original, so I can send this one to NVC eventually and still keep my second copy of the record of marriage.

It might sound confusing but makes sense to me. ^^

Oh and you have no idea how well I am aware of the two processes. Let's just say I have a lot of time on my hands to read. I just am not always sure about the details like if the copies needed to be certified or not.

I'll have to wait for further instructions anways. They will tell me what we need to do.

I was politely ignoring what seemed like a snarky comment.

[TOM&Riz 4]

Hey - I'm glad you got the distinction - initial I-130 submittal vs NVC Processing.

Photo Copies are OK with I-130 submittal.

NVC Processing (via the DS-230 ) requires original document, in this case a certified marriage certificate, plus a photocopy.

I know the wikis and guides are there mostly to stop one from having to run around the state.gov website (as that info and urls change regularly) but -

you may want to review the stuff about the DS-230, straight from the 'horses mouth', so to speak -

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3190.html

(ya, click the link, read all 7 pages )

The DS-230 is submitted during NVC processing, and has a 'original document requirement' to it.

Good Luck !! My apologies if I seem rude or snarky here, it was never my intent.

great info Darnell, it also says on the first information page for forms "Do NOT send orginals or certified copies unless requested"

I too am guilty and apologize for sometimes sounding rude or demanding it is not intended by no means just trying to help and being frustrated with government policy and information standards ... good luck

[Darnell 8,478]

I'll have to wait for further instructions anyways. They will tell me what we need to do.

Many people here want more speed, and choose not to wait for further instructions.

Waiting, from what I've gleaned here on VJ, adds another 1 to 3 months per document set during NVC processing. For many, 'waiting sucks'.

Strongly Suggest you study LingChe's Shortcuts, over at

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/LingChe_NVC_ShortCut

and never, EVER wait for further instructions. Be ForeWarned. This will make you ForeArmed as well.

Whilst yer waiting, though - download the I-64 and DS-230, start prepping all.

If you'd like to read some more, as well - this is a good 'how-to overview' for when to send things in: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/221785-ds-3032-slowdown/page__view__findpost__p__3560467

Good Luck ! GoGoGadget NVCPayment Portal !

[msd 3]

Whilst yer waiting, though - download the I-64 and DS-230, start prepping all.

Already done!

And we aren't really in any hurry right now. I can't leave here before September anyway.

Thank you for the links, I'll get to reading them!