URGENT - Advice about Divorce Certificate for I-130

[Novella 3]

Hello Everyone,

If anyone is out there and has any advice, it would be much appreciated. I am really anxious to get my petition sent in and it keeps getting delayed due to wanting to get the right information, mail, husband working late and post office being closed, etc.,

I've tried to find someone to speak to at USCIS but keep getting automated voice systems. Here's the deal.

Husband is American, I am Canadian. He is petitioning to have me move there. Our petition package is completed.

However, I am second guessing what we have is sufficient. He was married three times before me.

Currently he lives in Kentucky. Two of his marriages (the later two) were terminated in his town, so we have certified copies of his divorce certificate.

The other one took place in Florida. He has the original certificate he was given. It states the divorce took place, signed by the judge and has a ruling on child support and custody on it. However, we haven't a clue if it's certified.

So my question is: Do I order a certified copy and wait until it arrives. I obviously don't want to because I want to get this thing sent in. But I also don't want a Request for More Information thing either.

OR -

Do you think what we have for his first marriage is sufficient?

Any advice would be great or even a telephone number I could call and ask someone, if it exists. LOL

Thanks,

Shannon

[RichiJenny 14]

at this stage copies of divorce certificates are acceptable. once you get to nvc level you need originals or certified copies.

you can always phone the court house and verify whether its an original or not too.

personally i think you'll be fine. good luck.

[Filipinawife0210 15]

2 options here.

1. He should be able to contact the court clerk where the Florida divorce was adjudicated, and request a certified copy. I did this in AZ, I live in South Dakota. Made a phonecall to the County Clerk's office, ordered the decree, gave them bank info, and it was mailed out. I received mine in about a week.

2. He can try to take the decree to his local Courthouse, and have them certify the decree he has in his posession. This too will incur a cost.

at this stage copies of divorce certificates are acceptable. once you get to nvc level you need originals or certified copies.

you can always phone the court house and verify whether its an original or not too.

personally i think you'll be fine. good luck.

I was gonna say that too, but I remember sending the certified original of my divorce decree.

[Aya820 33]

Hello Everyone,

If anyone is out there and has any advice, it would be much appreciated. I am really anxious to get my petition sent in and it keeps getting delayed due to wanting to get the right information, mail, husband working late and post office being closed, etc.,

I've tried to find someone to speak to at USCIS but keep getting automated voice systems. Here's the deal.

Husband is American, I am Canadian. He is petitioning to have me move there. Our petition package is completed.

However, I am second guessing what we have is sufficient. He was married three times before me.

Currently he lives in Kentucky. Two of his marriages (the later two) were terminated in his town, so we have certified copies of his divorce certificate.

The other one took place in Florida. He has the original certificate he was given. It states the divorce took place, signed by the judge and has a ruling on child support and custody on it. However, we haven't a clue if it's certified.

So my question is: Do I order a certified copy and wait until it arrives. I obviously don't want to because I want to get this thing sent in. But I also don't want a Request for More Information thing either.

OR -

Do you think what we have for his first marriage is sufficient?

Any advice would be great or even a telephone number I could call and ask someone, if it exists. LOL

Thanks,

Shannon

I am just curious as to if all three would even be needed? Wouldn't he only need the most recent divorce decree as he couldn't have married until the previous ones were final? Just a question...

[Jill & Jeff 3]

I was divorced twice when my husband and I sent in our I-130. I sent in photocopies of both of my divorce degrees. One of them was just a half slip of paper from Illinois that didn't even have a document number on it with only signatures. The other was from South Carolina and didn't have a certified stamp, just the entirety of the legal document with the judge's signature on the end. We were approved just fine with no RFE's.

You should be fine with what you have.

J-

[Jadenjewel 9]

Hi,

I wouldn't risk it as you'll need it at some point anyway. I was given an RFE because my divorce certificate didn't have the courts RED SEAL even though it was the original document. I had to go to the court that issued it and pay for them to certify that it was the original document.

I think its better to be safe than " shoulda coulda woulda" . An RFE will hold you up more than getting the document.

Just a thought for whats its worth.

[OBX 51]

A photocopy is sufficient for the I-130 petition but you will need the originals or certified copies for NVC. While you are waiting for your NOA2 you will have time to order more copies. And yes, you will need to submit one for each previous marriage as per NVC instructions. Good luck!

"Who needs to submit marriage termination documentation?

If you were previously married, you must obtain evidence of the termination of EACH prior marriage. Evidence must be in the form of original documents issued by an official authority, or certified copies bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority."

NVC Document Requirements

[Aya820 33]

"Who needs to submit marriage termination documentation?

If you were previously married, you must obtain evidence of the termination of EACH prior marriage. Evidence must be in the form of original documents issued by an official authority, or certified copies bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority."

NVC Document Requirements

Thanks OBX that cleared up my question...

[LotofPatience 65]

A photocopy is sufficient for the I-130 petition but you will need the originals or certified copies for NVC. While you are waiting for your NOA2 you will have time to order more copies. And yes, you will need to submit one for each previous marriage as per NVC instructions. Good luck!

"Who needs to submit marriage termination documentation?

If you were previously married, you must obtain evidence of the termination of EACH prior marriage. Evidence must be in the form of original documents issued by an official authority, or certified copies bearing the appropriate seal or stamp of the issuing authority."

NVC Document Requirements