Multiple questions on AOS - formerly "Co sponsor "

[Anh map 2,098]

My father is self employed, he has a 1099 and his federal taxes- what else would we need for that, since he has no official salary?

For a self employed sponsor the income amount that will be evaluated is line 22 of the most recent year's 1040 tax return. That sponsor would supply wither the preferred IRS tax transcript or their entire 2010 tax return including all schedules and supporting documents. A 1099 would be one of those supporting documents.

Take a look at the number on line 22 of the 2010 tax return. If it meets the income requirement for the sponsor's household count plus the intending immigrant, great. If not, find another joint sponsor.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Sorry about my profile, I don't know why I put that. She entered on a J1 work and travel visa this time, same as last summer when she entered and we were married

So she entered on a J1, left, then entered AGAIN on a J1 with intent to marry you? Does she has a 2 year home-stay requirement?

[bste3 0]

No. She entered on J1, we were married then she left. She came back on J1 with intent to work and travel this summer then go back home again to finish her university. We subsequently decided she should stay here. She does not have the 2 year home requirement

[bste3 0]

On the instructions for the i-130, it says a copy of ALL pages of the US passport. Does this mean literally every page? Or just the pages with my photo/info on it, signature, and page with stamps in it?

Also, on i-485- what is a "certified" copy of our marriage license? And, does she HAVE to have her birth certificate copy, or would the passport be sufficient?

[bste3 0]

OK, so I have read that the medical exam my wife took before coming to the US could be substituted for the I-693. I understand that the USCIS could issue and RFE and force us to go have one done, but is that the worst case scenario? Would we just need to send it when they ask for it?

[Oksana & Max 94]

On the instructions for the i-130, it says a copy of ALL pages of the US passport. Does this mean literally every page? Or just the pages with my photo/info on it, signature, and page with stamps in it?

Also, on i-485- what is a "certified" copy of our marriage license? And, does she HAVE to have her birth certificate copy, or would the passport be sufficient?

ALL pages mean ALL even if they are blank.

If you got married in US, you will usually recieve a "certified" copy about a month after your wedding. Birth certificate and passport would be required. Make sure you get all the things together as requested if you don't want any surprises.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Your wife (the beneficiary)most definitely needs a Birth Certificate, and it needs to be translated most likely. A passport alone is NOT sufficient.

You do not need your marriage license at all. You need a marriage certificate, which shows that you got married. A license is permission to marry and not relevant for this. You will need the real legal document which is usually "certified" in some way. You can send a copy but you will show the original in the interview.

If it says every page, it means every page. The instructions are very literal.

[bste3 0]

Ok thanks... so do they want our ORIGINAL wedding certificate? Or just a copy of the certified one?

OK cool, I think you guys have answered everything. Thanks again.

[rostov007 29]

Also, if the answer to any question is not applicable to you, dont leave it blank, put N/A. These documents are crafted to be exacting. All means all, not some or most.

Best of luck.

[Anh map 2,098]

Ok thanks... so do they want our ORIGINAL wedding certificate? Or just a copy of the certified one?

OK cool, I think you guys have answered everything. Thanks again.

Certified copy means a copy with the issuing authority's official stamp or seal. Not a photocopy of that document.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

USCIS only requires copies of documents that you would use for other purposes besides USCIS, like marriage certs and Birth certificates. Send a copy of the "certified copy" of the marriage cert and be prepared to show the original at the interview.

Things like the forms themselves and anything you make specifically for USCIS, like the translation of the birth certificate, must be original.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4203194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD

Edit: The copy of your marriage cert you got you might think of as original, but the real original is kept on file at the courthouse - the one with your signatures on it etc. The paper you got is most likely a certified copy, and what USCIS is interested in, though some places give out "keepsake" certificates which are not certified and that can make things confusing.

Edit 2: The VJ guides are incorrect here. A photocopy of the certified copy is acceptable for USCIS.

Edited September 6, 2011 by Harpa Timsah

[TBoneTX 45,966]

OP: Your chances of success in navigating the immigration process "yourself" completely depend upon whether you read accurately, interpret instructions literally, and following directions completely & accurately. Please study all of the VJ "Guides" (atop every VJ screen) and be sure that you understand them.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

No. You are confusing yourself because you are actually posting in the WRONG forum for you situation. You are AOSing from a student visa, not a family based visa (K-1). The K-1 specific information found in this forum does not apply to you.

It would also help if you fixed your profile so people could help you better. You are not applying for a CR-1 visa.

Your wife must have a medical here in the US. She should find a civil surgeon at uscis.gov and make an appointment. The Civil Surgeon will give her a I-693 in a sealed envelope and you will send the sealed envelope in with the AOS package.

[bste3 0]

What if we send it in without it?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You will most likely be issued an RFE (Request for Evidence) for the missing medical, which will slow down your process by at least a few weeks. There is a chance they will reject the package outright as well, for the missing medical.