Average deadline date for an RFE?

[Andy and Pui 16]

At 8am this morning Pui had an info pass to try and get an emergency AP because her brother had unexpectedly passed away. She got the AP and left early this afternoon. About an hour ago I got a text and email that she received an RFE. What is the average deadline date for an RFE to be returned back to the USCIS? She will be back on the 20th so I know she will be back in time for us to respond to the RFE.

Also they took her I-94 at the airport. Will this cause a problem with the AOS? Thanks everybody.

[ralyse 31]

At 8am this morning Pui had an info pass to try and get an emergency AP because her brother had unexpectedly passed away. She got the AP and left early this afternoon. About an hour ago I got a text and email that she received an RFE. What is the average deadline date for an RFE to be returned back to the USCIS? She will be back on the 20th so I know she will be back in time for us to respond to the RFE.

Also they took her I-94 at the airport. Will this cause a problem with the AOS? Thanks everybody.

The RFE we just sent in had an 87 day timeline. Not sure about the other questions, though I'm glad she was able to get the AP (Though obviously sorry it was necessary at all.)

[ceadsearc 516]

87 days is normal though USCIS can set other deadlines at their discretion. Most likely you shouldn't have a problem if she is only gone a couple weeks.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

The average time is also the statutory maximum time - 84 days (12 weeks), plus a 3 day grace period if the RFE was sent by mail.

[rin and john 71]

Regarding her I-94, she should get a new one upon return to the USA. Make sure she fills one in and that they stamp it and put it in her passport. She'll need it at the AOS interview.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Did you go with her? Why can't you reply to the RFE? Most RFE's are either for medical, or something to do with the I-864 (which is you). So if you can reply, reply. If you need to wait, you have roughly 86 days from the date on the RFE to reply.

[Andy and Pui 16]

Did you go with her? Why can't you reply to the RFE? Most RFE's are either for medical, or something to do with the I-864 (which is you). So if you can reply, reply. If you need to wait, you have roughly 86 days from the date on the RFE to reply.

Thanks everybody. No I did not go with her. I am thinking the RFE is for the medical or the I-864 as well. I think I will receive the RFE early next week and then she will be back December 20th. So we should have no problem replying back to the RFE. Once again thanks everybody.

[Juan & Nan 12]

At 8am this morning Pui had an info pass to try and get an emergency AP because her brother had unexpectedly passed away. She got the AP and left early this afternoon. About an hour ago I got a text and email that she received an RFE. What is the average deadline date for an RFE to be returned back to the USCIS? She will be back on the 20th so I know she will be back in time for us to respond to the RFE.

Also they took her I-94 at the airport. Will this cause a problem with the AOS? Thanks everybody.

Andy and Pui,

We are so sorry to hear about your loss.

Juan and Nan

[Andy and Pui 16]

Thanks Juan and Nan, I will tell Pui later today when I call her. I was happy she was able to get back in time for ceremonies and she was able to see him one last time and say good bye. He was only 29. My Mom keeps talking about the trip earlier this year we made with him to Koh Chang. Pui's Dad has not taken it very well he has not ate or slept a lot which makes me a little worried because he has bad kidneys with not much function left and will not do dialysis.

[Andy and Pui 16]

I received the RFE. It says we have 87 days. It is asking for her foreign birth certificate which I thought we sent in a copy and it said we sent in an english translation. So it looks like we forgot to send in the copy of the original. Since she only has 1 copy of her thai birth certificate and she is in her home village right now I'm going to go have her get the certified birth certificates.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I received the RFE. It says we have 87 days. It is asking for her foreign birth certificate which I thought we sent in a copy and it said we sent in an english translation. So it looks like we forgot to send in the copy of the original. Since she only has 1 copy of her thai birth certificate and she is in her home village right now I'm going to go have her get the certified birth certificates.

Read the RFE carefully. If it asks for a copy of the original birth certificate then make a photocopy (color copies preferred) and send it to them. You don't need to get another original birth certificate to send to them.

They don't often ask for the original birth certificate unless you sent a copy which wasn't clearly legible, or they question the validity based on the copy you sent them. If you didn't send a copy of the original birth certificate then they'll usually request a simple photocopy of it before they resort to asking you to send the original document. They realize most people only have one original copy of their birth certificate, and they don't usually ask you to surrender it to them.

If they do ask for the original document then you can usually include a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a request that they return the original document when they've finished examining it. Include an extra photocopy they can keep for their records. I helped a friend do this when they asked for his original birth certificate from Vietnam. It was issued before the war, and it was very old and fragile. He got it back after about four weeks, mailed in the envelope we provided.

[Andy and Pui 16]

Jim, here is exactly what it said:

You have submitted an English translation of foreign birth certificate; please submit a copy of the applicant's foreign birth certificate issued be the appropriate civil authority.

So do they just want a copy of the foreign birth certificate or do we need to send in the original birth certificate? I have her original here in the US. Also since this is in Thai do I need to resend an english translation and have Pui certify the translation when she returns back to the US? I talked to Pui on the phone about 20 minutes ago and trying to get more certified copies of birth certificate will be hard. Thanks.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Jim, here is exactly what it said:

You have submitted an English translation of foreign birth certificate; please submit a copy of the applicant's foreign birth certificate issued be the appropriate civil authority.

So do they just want a copy of the foreign birth certificate or do we need to send in the original birth certificate? I have her original here in the US. Also since this is in Thai do I need to resend an english translation and have Pui certify the translation when she returns back to the US? I talked to Pui on the phone about 20 minutes ago and trying to get more certified copies of birth certificate will be hard. Thanks.

It tells you what they want (I bolded it). they said you sent a copy of the translation but didn't send a copy of the foreign birth certificate. They of course require a copy of the original (untranslated) document.

[Andy and Pui 16]

Ok. Then Monday I will send a copy of the foreign birth certificate on Monday. I thought I included it when I sent the AOS paperwork. I am just happy there was nothing wrong with the medical or the I-864. Thanks Vanesse&Tony, JimVaPhuong, and everybody else!

[Andy and Pui 16]

After reading the RFE again I wanted to get a little clarification. Does the translator have to hand write their name and date when they certify the document? I ask this because since this is a birth certificate in the Thai language and it also says the following:

If you submit a document in any language other than English, it must be submitted with a full English translation. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that he or she is competent to translate. You must submit both the foreign language document and the English translation.

I know Pui had signed that when we originally sent in the AOS but she is in Thailand right now. If it has to be hand written I think I can reach out to someone in the Thai community here to look at what she translated before and have them certify it. Thanks everybody.