RFE - Documents previously sent

[Matt & Rocio 28]

I received an RFE last week and was surprised when I read that they were requesting documents I provided in my original petition. In my case they are requesting the foreign marriage, divorce for my wife and birth certificate for my step-daughter. I am 100% sure I included these documents along with their English translation in my original petition.

Here is the exact wording of the RFE:

FOREIGN MARRIAGE DOCUMENT: The petitioner has merely submitted the English translation of the above-mentioned document without the foreign language document. Therefore, it is requested that the petitioner submit a legible copy of the requested document in its original language from which the translation was taken.

When I submitted the I-130 petition I provided the original copy that was provided to me by the Registro Civil (Civil Registry) in Chile. So I know the document was legible. The only thing I can think is that either they lost the documents (they are smaller than a regular piece of paper) or they weren't acceptable documents, but in the latter case I would think the language would be different.

I am ready to respond to the RFE with more copies of the same documents, but wanted to find out if other VJers have had a similar issue and if so how did they resolve it? Tomorrow will mark 7 months since we received our NOA1 and this extra wait is killing us.

[shayy17 3]

The same thing happened to me, they sent me an RFE about the military certificate which I had included (original, copy and translation). I called them and the person who answered told me it wasnt the one they wanted because it was issued by a different ministry than the one noted for her on the computer (its the only military certificate that is available). I told her that that was it she said she would send it to be reviewed by a supervisor and call in 10 days. I did so and found out it was approved.

call them and talk to someone.

Edited February 28, 2012 by shayy17

[July15 4]

The same thing happened to me, they sent me an RFE about the military certificate which I had included (original, copy and translation). I called them and the person who answered told me it wasnt the one they wanted because it was issued by a different ministry than the one noted for her on the computer (its the only military certificate that is available). I told her that that was it she said she would send it to be reviewed by a supervisor and call in 10 days. I did so and found out it was approved.

call them and talk to someone.

Oh this is good to read....Did you call exctaly 10 days after or did you call earlier? I also got a RFE wanting the original marriage certificate that I had already sent. The certificate doesn't have the stamp with "registrar of marriages" but it has "Sub-registrar" when I called they told me to call in 10days. It happened last Friday 2/24. I don't have another one it is the only certificate I have.

Edited February 28, 2012 by July15

[Matt & Rocio 28]

The same thing happened to me, they sent me an RFE about the military certificate which I had included (original, copy and translation). I called them and the person who answered told me it wasnt the one they wanted because it was issued by a different ministry than the one noted for her on the computer (its the only military certificate that is available). I told her that that was it she said she would send it to be reviewed by a supervisor and call in 10 days. I did so and found out it was approved.

call them and talk to someone.

I called USCIS yesterday and spoke to a Tier 2 representative (was on hold for 25 minutes). They weren't much help and couldn't provide me any specific details of my case other than to say it sounded like they were simply requesting that I send the documents that were 'missing'. How were you able to speak to someone who could actually give you details about your case?

I sent an email to the consulate in Santiago, Chile with a copy of the RFE as well as copies of the documents that they were requesting in the RFE. I asked them if the documents were correct. They replied this morning and told me that the documents were all correct. They suggested I include a letter with the RFE explaining that I had already sent these documents in the original petition.

I'm going to mail out my RFE response today. I really hope they don't take the 30-90 days to respond that the tier 2 rep said it could take. I will update this thread once I hear something.

Thanks for your replies.

[shayy17 3]

Oh this is good to read....Did you call exctaly 10 days after or did you call earlier? I also got a RFE wanting the original marriage certificate that I had already sent. The certificate doesn't have the stamp with "registrar of marriages" but it has "Sub-registrar" when I called they told me to call in 10days. It happened last Friday 2/24. I don't have another one it is the only certificate I have.

I tried to call after like 5 or 6 days and the supervisor still hadnt reviewed it and the person on the phone told me I needed to wait the 10 days. When I called after 10 days though it had already been reviewed and finished... so sometime in between there it was done. I would just wait the 10 days because they have records of when I called and what exactly what was said and I think they may have been slightly annoyed that I called earlier than was told.

[shayy17 3]

I called USCIS yesterday and spoke to a Tier 2 representative (was on hold for 25 minutes). They weren't much help and couldn't provide me any specific details of my case other than to say it sounded like they were simply requesting that I send the documents that were 'missing'. How were you able to speak to someone who could actually give you details about your case?

I sent an email to the consulate in Santiago, Chile with a copy of the RFE as well as copies of the documents that they were requesting in the RFE. I asked them if the documents were correct. They replied this morning and told me that the documents were all correct. They suggested I include a letter with the RFE explaining that I had already sent these documents in the original petition.

I'm going to mail out my RFE response today. I really hope they don't take the 30-90 days to respond that the tier 2 rep said it could take. I will update this thread once I hear something.

Thanks for your replies.

i didnt speak to a tier 2, i just spoke to the person who answered the phone. she didnt really seem to know but i insisted i had sent the only certificate available (it seems she had a note that it was from the wrong ministry or something; a ministry which i may add doesnt even exist in egypt lol) and so she said she would run it by a supervisor. good luck!

[July15 4]

I tried to call after like 5 or 6 days and the supervisor still hadnt reviewed it and the person on the phone told me I needed to wait the 10 days. When I called after 10 days though it had already been reviewed and finished... so sometime in between there it was done. I would just wait the 10 days because they have records of when I called and what exactly what was said and I think they may have been slightly annoyed that I called earlier than was told.

Great Thank you. I will wait then.

[Laure&Colin 558]

i didnt speak to a tier 2, i just spoke to the person who answered the phone. she didnt really seem to know but i insisted i had sent the only certificate available (it seems she had a note that it was from the wrong ministry or something; a ministry which i may add doesnt even exist in egypt lol) and so she said she would run it by a supervisor. good luck!

From what you're saying, I think you called the NVC about a document you sent with the IV package.

The OP is talking about an RFE from the USCIS, before NOA2.

I don't think calling USCIS can be of any help. It's possible that they lost what was sent in the first place...

[Matt & Rocio 28]

I just received confirmation from USPS that my RFE packet was recevied and signed for. Now to wait again.

[Matt & Rocio 28]

I received a text message and an email from USCIS saying they updated my status. When I checked online my petition now has a status of Request for Evidence Response Review.

It says I should expect a written response within 60 days. Does it really take that long? I thought I read somewhere that it usually takes 7 days or less from the time they receive the RFE response to make a decision.

This process just continues to frustrate me more and more each day.

[Matt & Rocio 28]

At 8:45pm MST I received a text message from USCIS saying my case status had been updated. When I logged on to check my case status on the USCIS website I was thrilled to read that the petition for my wife and my step-daughter had been approved!

I was so excited that I called my wife in Chile where it was after midnight to tell her the great news.

Now it's on to the NVC!