Copy of Marriage Cert.?

[newmrsvick 1]

I noticed on the AOS list, it requires a certified copy of the marriage certificate, but our probate court (where we filed for our license) says that they cannot give us a second certified copy, and that a certified copy of the license is the same thing as the 'big, pretty certificate'...? Is that correct in terms of what the AOS submission requires?

Thanks

[Soju 5]

where I live in Georgia, I can request how many copies of certified marriage certificate as I want as long as I pay $10 each. Also here there was a separate marriage certificate if used for immigration, and etc. Everything was same except for signature on the certificate was in blue instead of in black. As I found out marriage license is copy of form that was filed out and submitted to obtain marriage license. So, in our case, we went ahead and submitted both certified marriage certificate and certified marriage license. But for AOS only required information was marriage certificate.

Edited October 31, 2011 by Soju

[newmrsvick 1]

We got married in Georgia too, in Glynn County, but the woman on the phone said we could not get a copy of the certified certificate, that they did not do that, and that all we can have is the license?? So am I supposed to send off our only copy of a certificate??

[Lainie B 465]

You will keep the original marriage certificate and you can make copies and get them notarised.

[newmrsvick 1]

Ah ok so just a color copy of the original certified certificate? And who would you suggest, I ask to notorize them? Sorry if I am slow on the uptake on this, I have been a little confused by the court!

Thanks so much for the help here.

[ZedbraGuy 6]

I haven't read anywhere in the actual USCIS instructions that says a certified copy is required, it just says a copy. My AP and EAD were both applied for in this way and there were no problems, and I don't expect any with AOS either

[Lainie B 465]

It doesn't say in the instructions it has to be certified but some people have had RFEs for a certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Any notary public should be able to do it, you'll have to provide the original, a copy and some ID. I don't know why your court say they won't do extra copies for you, they are just certified photocopies, they should do as many as you want (for a fee). Our court charged $2 per copy.

[Lainie B 465]

It doesn't say in the instructions it has to be certified but some people have had RFEs for a certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Any notary public should be able to do it, you'll have to provide the original, a copy and some ID. I don't know why your court say they won't do extra copies for you, they are just certified photocopies, they should do as many as you want (for a fee). Our court charged $2 per copy.

OK I have consulted with my lawyer (my husband!). Ignore what I just said.

Copies of documents filed at the court can only be certified by the court. Then they are as good as the original.

Your court should provide as many certified copies as you need, but you will probably need to pay a fee for each. Ours charged $2 per copy. The policy probably varies by state. I have my lawyer looking into this right now...he will get back to us.

[Soju 5]

We got married in Georgia too, in Glynn County, but the woman on the phone said we could not get a copy of the certified certificate, that they did not do that, and that all we can have is the license?? So am I supposed to send off our only copy of a certificate??

howdy Georgian.. We gotten married in Gwinnett County. Read this and it will explain the difference between license and marriage certificate.

http://www.gwinnettcounty.com/portal/gwinnett/Services/MarriageLicense

I think each county is different....

[Lainie B 465]

http://health.state.ga.us/programs/vitalrecords/marriage.asp

This explains how to get certified copies of your marriage certificate in Georgia. Your probate court is wrong, or maybe they meant they only provide you with one FREE copy.

You'll need a copy of your certificate, not your license (the license only allows you to get married). In my case the license WAS the certificate, once signed.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

It doesn't say in the instructions it has to be certified but some people have had RFEs for a certified copy of the marriage certificate.

Any notary public should be able to do it, you'll have to provide the original, a copy and some ID. I don't know why your court say they won't do extra copies for you, they are just certified photocopies, they should do as many as you want (for a fee). Our court charged $2 per copy.

I have never seen ANY RFE's for a certified copy. A regular photocopy (per the instructions) is sufficient. Mine was black and white. I was approved in less than 3 months without RFE.

You will keep the original marriage certificate and you can make copies and get them notarised.

They do not need to be notarised. Regular photocopies are all that is required.

I noticed on the AOS list, it requires a certified copy of the marriage certificate, but our probate court (where we filed for our license) says that they cannot give us a second certified copy, and that a certified copy of the license is the same thing as the 'big, pretty certificate'...? Is that correct in terms of what the AOS submission requires?

Thanks

The AOS list is wrong. You only need a REGULAR photocopy. Have a look at the AOS thread in my signature.

[Lainie B 465]

I have never seen ANY RFE's for a certified copy. A regular photocopy (per the instructions) is sufficient. Mine was black and white. I was approved in less than 3 months without RFE.

They do not need to be notarised. Regular photocopies are all that is required.

The AOS list is wrong. You only need a REGULAR photocopy. Have a look at the AOS thread in my signature.

It says in the VJ guide that some people have received an RFE for a certified copy. I don't know if this is still happening, maybe this is no longer the case, but just in case I sent a certified copy.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

It says in the VJ guide that some people have received an RFE for a certified copy. I don't know if this is still happening, maybe this is no longer the case, but just in case I sent a certified copy.

I would ignore the guide (which is why I wrote my own, there are a few things wrong with the VJ one.. including that point which I've raised on several occasions). I've never seen an RFE for a photocopy, like I said, instructions state "photocopy".

Edited October 31, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[Neonred 3,562]

I have never seen ANY RFE's for a certified copy. A regular photocopy (per the instructions) is sufficient. Mine was black and white. I was approved in less than 3 months without RFE.

They do not need to be notarised. Regular photocopies are all that is required.

The AOS list is wrong. You only need a REGULAR photocopy. Have a look at the AOS thread in my signature.

At our AOS interview they specifically wanted to see an original with the raised seal. Photocopy was not good enough.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

At our AOS interview they specifically wanted to see an original with the raised seal. Photocopy was not good enough.

INTERVIEW is different to sending the AOS packet. Interview of course originals are required. Sending with the AOS packet photocopies are all that is required.