certified copies of the income tax forms that you both filed for the past 3 years;

[Memymine 2]

I am not sure what "certified" means in this context.

I have the tax returns forms(the originals). If we make plain copies of those, would that work? Do I have to notirised the copies? If yes, it seems easier to just order a tax certificate.

I need to submit these forms for naturalization through marriage with US citizen.

[let-it-be 36]

I am not sure what "certified" means in this context.

I have the tax returns forms(the originals). If we make plain copies of those, would that work? Do I have to notirised the copies? If yes, it seems easier to just order a tax certificate.

I need to submit these forms for naturalization through marriage with US citizen.

I only sent the photocopies of the tax returns. There is no need to have those notarized. You can send tax transcripts versus tax returns.

Edited September 3, 2012 by let-it-be

[Arlington 5]

I believe the USCIS prefers the tax transcripts. You can order them on-line:

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Order-a-Transcript

Use the "tax return transcript" option. This is the IRS's own report of what you reported to them. It is more reliable than photocopying returns because anybody could print off forms and fill them out and then sign them and say that this is what they sent into the IRS, but the transcript shows what you actually did send in to the IRS.

[sasaqlain 24]

Tax returns copies are acceptable, however, they are always a stack and 3 years worth of returns would fatten your package. Best send IRS Tax transcripts which would simply be a couple of pages for all three years and are absolutely free to order. I submitted copies of returns for my AOS(I was not aware of the IRS Transcript service at the time), and for ROC and N-400, I ordered the Tax Transcripts and submitted copies of those. Good Luck.