Cerified copy of Divorce for I-130 and I-485

[IamChris 0]

We are trying to put together all the documents written here : http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

My fiance and future wife was divorced 4+ years before. She has one of the original copies of the divorce papers.

According to the guide at the link above, you need a certified copy of the divorce for I-130 and a normal (at least it does not say certificated - that seem strange) copy for the I-485.

Getting a certified copy in California can take till 6 months :-/

I wonder what we can do with what we have right now.

I checked on the instructions for I-130 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130instr.pdf) and I-485 (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-485instr.pdf) and I found it VERY strange that none of them specify anything about divorce (I tried a text search). Where does it say that we need to include the divorce certificates?

Thnak you in advance for the answer.

-Chris

Edited December 6, 2010 by IamChris

[George & Gina 29]

We are trying to put together all the documents written here : http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide2

My fiance and future wife was divorced 4+ years before. She has one of the original copies of the divorce papers.

According to the guide at the link above, you need a certified copy of the divorce for I-130 and a normal (at least it does not say certificated - that seem strange) copy for the I-485.

Getting a certified copy in California can take till 6 months :-/

I wonder what we can do with what we have right now.

I checked on the instructions for I-130 (http://www.uscis.gov.../i-130instr.pdf) and I-485 (http://www.uscis.gov.../i-485instr.pdf) and I found it VERY strange that none of them specify anything about divorce (I tried a text search). Where does it say that we need to include the divorce certificates?

Thnak you in advance for the answer.

-Chris

The instructions for the I-130. http://www.uscis.gov.../i-130instr.pdf Look at page 3, section 1B. Send them only a PHOTOCOPY that includes the seal and Judges name and signature. You may need to produce the original/certified document for the interview.

Good luck!

George

P.S. I did the search for the words "divorce" and "decree" also and came up with nothing. Ended up having to re-read pages 1 - 3....I knew it was there from when I submitted my I-130 a few weeks ago.

Edited December 6, 2010 by George & Gina

[George & Gina 29]

Send them only a PHOTOCOPY...

See the the I-130 instructions, page2, section titled "copies". If you send your originals (and you can) they will keep them, and we don't want that.

You may want to go ahead and order another certified copy of the decree anyway. Another copy never hurts and you never know when you might need it.

George

[Tiff Huynh 1]

Very simple, make a copy the original and send out this one. Keep your original with you and show in the interview. Don't need to certify any if you have no time. Original divorce decree is good enough.

[Maxximus1074 14]

I'm in California as well and an immigration attorney told me to go to the superior court where I had filed my divorce and ask them for a copy, they'll make the copies for you and use a rubber stamp, sign it on the back of the paperwork that it's a certified copy.

Haven't received any RFE about it and don't really think I will get one - as mentioned above me, copys seem to be ok these days as long as you can provide the originals at the interview.

Good luck on your adjustment journey

M.

Edited December 6, 2010 by Maxximus1074

[desert_fox 32]

• ......copy of the divorce for I-130 and a normal (at least it does not say certificated - that seem strange) copy for the I-485.
  Getting a certified copy in California can take till 6 months :-/
  -Chris
  

.

A certied will take you at least 15 minutes to obtain if you go to the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court in the County where the divorce took place.

If it no close...order them on the internet at the web site of the respective office...takes a week