RFE received Feb 16, 2012

[TraciB 0]

I received the hard copy of my RFE yesterday, at first I thought it was an easy fix but after speaking with the courts in South Carolina and then speaking to the Department of Homeland Security, I am not sure how easy it is going to be. This is what the RFE said:

"The marriage certificate submitted does not show evidence of being civilly registered with the county clerk. The document must show the page and book numbers in which the event was recorded."

At first look, it seems to be an easy fix with a phone call to the Marriage License office in Charleston. Unfortunately, Charleston, SC does not record their marriages in this way. They are recorded in the computer and the signature of the judge on the certificate is their way of showing it registered.

I put in a call to the Department of Homeland Security to explain this situation, the very kind gentleman suggested I try to get it in writing from Charleston that this is their procedure and submit that with my RFE.

I have spoken with the Clerk in Charleston again, and she asked me to fax a letter explaining what I needed and she would have the judge look it over and see if he was willing to fulfill my request.

Now I am concerned, what if he isn't willing?? What if he takes forever to do so?? Does anyone out there have any ideas on ways around this or any experience with anything like this??

Your thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks.

[Enigma11561 336]

Sounds like you did everything the right way. As I tell my wife, do not get nervous about something until it is time to get nervous. Wait a bit and see what happens first. Just follow up with them. Your request seems very straight forward and simple.

[TraciB 0]

Sounds like you did everything the right way. As I tell my wife, do not get nervous about something until it is time to get nervous. Wait a bit and see what happens first. Just follow up with them. Your request seems very straight forward and simple.

Thanks. Makes me very nervous that this is all in someone elses hands. Of course I want to be able to submit the documentation and get it back to USCIS ASAP...and this is all going to slow it down. I will try and stay calm. You give sound advice.

[Darnell 8,478]

I dunno - you talked with someone at DHS?

Please call back into USCIS National Call Center (# in the NOA-1 letter)

and ask for an ISO - EXPLAIN ALL TO THE ISO.

It may be the ISO, once it's explained to him/her, will press on, making a note to the adjudicator that SC marriage certificates are not handled in this manner,

then the adjudicator will read the note, and the RFE will get closed on it's own - no further postal mail trail from you.

It's worth a try, today.

Good Luck !

[TraciB 0]

I dunno - you talked with someone at DHS?

Please call back into USCIS National Call Center (# in the NOA-1 letter)

and ask for an ISO - EXPLAIN ALL TO THE ISO.

It may be the ISO, once it's explained to him/her, will press on, making a note to the adjudicator that SC marriage certificates are not handled in this manner,

then the adjudicator will read the note, and the RFE will get closed on it's own - no further postal mail trail from you.

It's worth a try, today.

Good Luck !

Oh really?? I will definately try that. In the meantime, Charleston called me and has my letter ready and is sending out to me today! Yay! But I will follow your suggestion and see if that works, if not, I will fed ex the letter when i receive it next week. Thanks!!!