I-485-- No birth certificate

[AtariBaby 17]

Canadian wife living with me in the US hoping to adjust status.

Oh boy, another screwup on my part. I have always assumed that like the i-130, the i-485 would accept full copy of passport OR birth certificate. I see now both are required.

We have ordered this but it will take 3 weeks or more to arrive at our home in the US.

What do you guys think is the best course of action? Send in everything now and include receipt showing we are waiting for delivery of birth certificate, or wait until it arrives?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think you need a lawyer. DIY doesn't seem to be for you, after all of your posts. Good luck.

[AtariBaby 17]

Well I can't afford one right now, so if anyone here has been in this situation before or has an opinion on the best course of action, I'd be extremely grateful.

[NancyNguyen 1,658]

You wait until you have it will save you from RFE. RFE review and your waiting time to get the duplicate is about the same time so it is up to you.

You can save a lot of time doing the paper yourself by typing all your concerns on a word document then paste it on the forum. So it would be clearer and focused, you can be distracted by making to many threads. Good luck.

[AtariBaby 17]

I sincerely apologize to all. I have been working on this day and night and throwing in questions as they arise. Plus, I thought it was better that way for future forum searchers.

Now that I know I'm in a waiting game, I'll get through the entire process and post questions. Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to help me. Please give me a little more of your patience and guidance next time I post; really appreciate it.

[NancyNguyen 1,658]

No need to say sorry, people here just don't want you to mess yourself up with the process. If you are consistent and confident then keep doing what you think is right.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Have you read this guide? http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide2

Birth certificate of the immigrant is listed there, under required document for the I-485.

Also, I hope you ordered a LONG FORM birth certificate from Canada, not a short form one. Short form Birth Certificate is not good enough.

[AtariBaby 17]

Yes thank you I'm actually going down that list *and* searching here and elsewhere. Pathetic, I know! And yes thank you we ordered the most super deluxe expensive certified long version they offered.

I'm in a terrible position right now because we procrastinated on this due to all these missing pieces and now I'm dealing with a couple of personal tragedies plus the unexpected loss of 80% of my business, so I have to do this myself and get it done as soon as I can. I decided today I am going to seek out some of the free immigration legal help available in Northern California, however.

Will be waiting for birth certificate and working my way through the guide. Thank you all.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yes thank you I'm actually going down that list *and* searching here and elsewhere. Pathetic, I know! And yes thank you we ordered the most super deluxe expensive certified long version they offered.

I'm in a terrible position right now because we procrastinated on this due to all these missing pieces and now I'm dealing with a couple of personal tragedies plus the unexpected loss of 80% of my business, so I have to do this myself and get it done as soon as I can. I decided today I am going to seek out some of the free immigration legal help available in Northern California, however.

Will be waiting for birth certificate and working my way through the guide. Thank you all.

Maybe you are overwhelming yourself with too many lists and details. I would recommend sticking to ONE list, and going over it piece by piece. Really, the instructions for the forms themselves have all of the details you need, if you read it slowly and methodically. Another suggestion, if I may, print everything out. I find that computer work makes things seem very disorganized, and an old-fashioned pile of papers and a check list is more manageable.

Sorry for your current troubles.

[graduate 1]

When i first started i also felt overwhelmed. You should order the documents from uscis, it comes within a couple of days! Order like 3 of each so you dnt have to reorder if you mess up. Organization and checklists are what got me through the process. Also, i read and re read the instructions several times so i had an understanding for myself of what was needed

[gildayjason 2]

Why order the forms from USCIS when they're all available online?

[graduate 1]

To me it looks more official and why not, they are free. It's a personal choice.