Marriage Certificate Copies

[chance3349 0]

Dear VJ members,

I am filing i-130 and i-485 concurrently. The VJ guide says we need 2 copies of certified marriage certificate; one for i-130 and one for i-485. But is it enough if I include only one certified copy with i-130 and just the plain copy with i-485? I don't want to go to the city hall and wait to get another copy.

Thanks.

[Pupsik 4]

i would like to know this as well. we are going through the list and there are a couple items that are repeated for the 485 and the 130. Im thinking err on the side of caution and give them a copy for each and treat them as separate applications.

[chance3349 0]

i would like to know this as well. we are going through the list and there are a couple items that are repeated for the 485 and the 130. Im thinking err on the side of caution and give them a copy for each and treat them as separate applications.

Do you already have two certified copies? I have only one. I don't want to order another one cause I just ordered 2, one for USCIS and one for my wife's new passport.

If I had two certified copies, I would have sent both each with i130 and i485, just to be on the safe side.

[Pupsik 4]

i will most likley go get another tomorrow unless someone chimes in on here and tells me otherwise...we gotta get this thing mailed out

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You only need ONE photocopy. You don't need to send certified copies of anything; the VJ guides should be updated.

[Pupsik 4]

You only need ONE photocopy. You don't need to send certified copies of anything; the VJ guides should be updated.

one copy for each application correct? 1 for the 485 and 1 for the 130 right? if not, do i just attach the copy to the first application?

[chance3349 0]

You only need ONE photocopy. You don't need to send certified copies of anything; the VJ guides should be updated.

Thank you Harpa. With which form package should I put the marriage certificate? i130 or i485?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

We only put one copy for the whole thing. I don't see where you need a copy for the i-485. Read the instructions. Good luck.

[chance3349 0]

We only put one copy for the whole thing. I don't see where you need a copy for the i-485. Read the instructions. Good luck.

Yeah, the instruction for i130 asks for a copy of marriage certificate but i485 doesn't. I got confused after reading the VJ guide. I hope the mod updates the guide.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yeah, the instruction for i130 asks for a copy of marriage certificate but i485 doesn't. I got confused after reading the VJ guide. I hope the mod updates the guide.

You're right. They should update it. I just reread the I-485 instructions too. Good luck.

[Pupsik 4]

in the "assembling the package" checklists both the 130 and the 485 say they need a certified copy

[chance3349 0]

You're right. They should update it. I just reread the I-485 instructions too. Good luck.

Thank you Harpa. I appreciate your answers. Your Green card came in around 3 months huh...Good for you.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

in the "assembling the package" checklists both the 130 and the 485 say they need a certified copy

Well, they are wrong. Read the I-485 instructions from uscis.gov, and here is their policy on copies which states that photocopies of documents are okay. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4203194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD

[bigdog 376]

Dear VJ members,

I am filing i-130 and i-485 concurrently. The VJ guide says we need 2 copies of certified marriage certificate; one for i-130 and one for i-485. But is it enough if I include only one certified copy with i-130 and just the plain copy with i-485? I don't want to go to the city hall and wait to get another copy.

Thanks.

We sent color certified copies and indicated they were certified on our cover letter.

[On-Queue 3]

Well, they are wrong. Read the I-485 instructions from uscis.gov, and here is their policy on copies which states that photocopies of documents are okay. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4203194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD

I agree. You don't need certified copies. You only need photocopies.

That's what we submitted during our application. All photocopies. The only originals are the application forms (I-485, I-130).

you can actually submit the temporary marriage certificate;there should be no problem.

Edited July 28, 2011 by On-Queue