Marriage Certificate

[Lugn 0]

Hello,

It's time to get going on this Naturalization thing (have been eligible for almost 2 years now, but other things took priority...), and I have a question for you seasoned folks.

When sending in your marriage certificate, should you send an original, or a photo copy?

The N-400 instructions indicates that a copy is acceptable, but the certificate itsels states that it is a fellony to create copies of the document...

Thanks!

[me&me 0]

NEVER send original documents unless you are instructed otherwise. Any document you send will remain in your file, even if it was the original. If they need the original they will notify and instruct you on how to do so.

In your case your best bet is to send a certified true copy, so as to be on the safe side.

[gyuwono 0]

Hello,

It's time to get going on this Naturalization thing (have been eligible for almost 2 years now, but other things took priority...), and I have a question for you seasoned folks.

When sending in your marriage certificate, should you send an original, or a photo copy?

The N-400 instructions indicates that a copy is acceptable, but the certificate itsels states that it is a fellony to create copies of the document...

Thanks!

Where is it in the N-400 instruction document that says we need to send the marriage certificate?

[NickD 202]

Where is it in the N-400 instruction document that says we need to send the marriage certificate?

Not only the N-400 instructions but the M-476 manual as well is required reading.

Our county courthouse charges 8 bucks for the first copy of our marriage certificate and five bucks for each additional copy. In no way am I going to risk a 10,000 buck fine to save five bucks.

After I plowed through the N-400, instructions, and M-476 manual, realized this is a combination form of both the AOS and I-751, matter of fact, copied and pasted practically all the answers to the question off her I-751, I-485, and G-325a. Would actually like to go in there and ask them, how in the hell do you think my wife got her green card in the first place? But not wise to do that.

[gyuwono 0]

Not only the N-400 instructions but the M-476 manual as well is required reading.

Our county courthouse charges 8 bucks for the first copy of our marriage certificate and five bucks for each additional copy. In no way am I going to risk a 10,000 buck fine to save five bucks.

After I plowed through the N-400, instructions, and M-476 manual, realized this is a combination form of both the AOS and I-751, matter of fact, copied and pasted practically all the answers to the question off her I-751, I-485, and G-325a. Would actually like to go in there and ask them, how in the hell do you think my wife got her green card in the first place? But not wise to do that.

We just sent my wife's N-400 application a couple of weeks ago and we didn't send anything other than what's listed in the N-400 instructions. I would think they will ask what documents they need us to bring to the interview.

[jasminelily 1]

NickD is right, how did we get our GC in the first place if our marriage is fraud?! I am not planning to mail in a certified copy, just a regular copy. USCIS will not give it back to you if you mail in the original, so I suggest you do not mail in your original, only mail in certified copy at max. For me, I am just going to mail in a regular copy and bring original to the interview, I do have certified copy to give them in case they ask to keep a record at the interview but I doubt they would even ask. By the way, they don't review our files until the few minutes before interview so I doubt they would know if any document is missing (except for the application fee because if you don't give them the money, they won't accept your application; and if you don't sign the application, they won't accept it either; not sure I'm missing anything else, but you know the basic essentials are required before interview).

[milimelo 4,477]

We sent in a plain copy. I will bring originals to the interview.

[Silke 1]

We sent in a plain copy. I will bring originals to the interview.

Same here.

[B&T 0]

same, sent in plain copy and will bring original to the interview.

[NickD 202]

Each to his own, but when it states in big letters, "It is unlawful to make copies of this certificate with a maximum of a $10,000.00 fine", you are so much telling your IO, you are willing to break the laws of your state.

But then again, I am paranoid, wasn't that way before dealing with the USCIS.

"Did you ever commit a crime you were never arrested or caught for?"

Yes, I made a copy of my marriage certificate.

Now if your certificate does not state that, shouldn't be a problem. OP says their certificate states this, and so does ours.

[milimelo 4,477]

Each to his own, but when it states in big letters, "It is unlawful to make copies of this certificate with a maximum of a $10,000.00 fine", you are so much telling your IO, you are willing to break the laws of your state.

But then again, I am paranoid, wasn't that way before dealing with the USCIS.

"Did you ever commit a crime you were never arrested or caught for?"

Yes, I made a copy of my marriage certificate.

Now if your certificate does not state that, shouldn't be a problem. OP says their certificate states this, and so does ours.

You're forgetting there are those of us who married overseas and whose marriage certificates don't say anything about being copied.

[Lugn 0]

I'm also paranoid when it comes to dealing with the USCIS, so I'll send in an original. I believe I have a few originals laying around somewhere...

Thanks guys!

[lawrencetoland 3]

I think we didn't send in the marriage certificate. We will probably get an RFE or will they just ask us to bring it along at the interview?

[gyuwono 0]

I think we didn't send in the marriage certificate. We will probably get an RFE or will they just ask us to bring it along at the interview?

We didn't send anything other than my wife's pictures and copy of Permanent Resident Card.

Back in 2001 when I got naturalized (Btw, I got my permanent resident from AA-1 Visa Lottery in 1990), I didn't send any other evidence besides what's listed in the N-400 form. When they sent me the interview letter, they listed what I needed to bring to the interview. Not sure how it works now, but I would think it's still the same.

[lawrencetoland 3]

well, it doesn't list it in the list of things you send in with N-400 in the instructions. It does list it in the Guide to Naturalization. I'm confused. They can send me a RFE.