ACPO and/or Arrest Reocrd

[Donna & Paul 4]

Hi all! I have yet another question about ACPO/arrest records. When filing AOS do I submit the original or court-certified copy of the records or does a photocopy suffice? Thinking ahead here, maybe we'll need the originals at a later date? I just don't want to get an RFE if at all possible. Does anyone else have experience with this?

**Wishes she had spell checked her topic before posting**

Edited September 14, 2012 by Donna & Paul

[tempa 1]

that indeed is one of those things where you need to file the original or court-certified copy.

make a copy of it for yourself in case they lose it.

I-485 instructions, initial evidence, criminal history (the first thing they ask as evidence )

Edited September 14, 2012 by tempa

[Donna & Paul 4]

That was my understanding. Thank you for confirmation!

[Donna & Paul 4]

I'm submitting certified copies/originals of the Marriage Certificate and the ACPO/arrest records and the I-693 vaccination supplement is in it's sealed envelope. Everything else is photocopies. Is there anything else that should be original/certified? I've read the instructions several times and gone down the checklist in the guides here but as I ready myself to put postage on it I'm getting nervous I've forgotten something.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I'm submitting certified copies/originals of the Marriage Certificate and the ACPO/arrest records and the I-693 vaccination supplement is in it's sealed envelope. Everything else is photocopies. Is there anything else that should be original/certified? I've read the instructions several times and gone down the checklist in the guides here but as I ready myself to put postage on it I'm getting nervous I've forgotten something.

Send photocopies of everything. If you have an interview, take originals with you in case they don't believe your submitted photocopies. They always say bring them but rarely even look at them.

You will need UK court records again (not the ACPO) if you apply for citizenship. It's very strict and some officers want to see record of even speeding tickets (in the US) were paid. So hang on to your originals including marriage certificate and save any documentation after future minor things with law enforcement for a naturalization interview.

For what it's worth, USCIS never laid eyes on our original marriage certificate, proof my first marriage ended (death certificate), or my birth certificates. It was photocopies only. Now we are done with USCIS forever.

[Donna & Paul 4]

Thanks, Nich-Nick. I was half-tempted to do that but then got a little nervous that I'd delay processing in doing so.

Paul will be applying for Citizenship so I think we'll hang onto all of our originals unless they take them at the interview.

Edited September 14, 2012 by Donna & Paul

[tempa 1]

you are from UK... it should be rather simple to get a court-certified copy by just calling/mailing them.

if you are filing with just copies, get yourself a certified copy in case they RFE you.

I filed with the certified copies just to be on the safe side.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

you are from UK... it should be rather simple to get a court-certified copy by just calling/mailing them.

if you are filing with just copies, get yourself a certified copy in case they RFE you.

I filed with the certified copies just to be on the safe side.

I think the point is she already has certified copies, but doesn't know whether to mail them off or keep to show in person at an interview.

Donna, if they want to see them at an interview, they will just look at them, but the photocopies in the file will be good enough for the file. Here's what USCIS says. http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4203194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD

The documents you mention fall under "all others"

For all other documents, the applicant may submit a photocopy of the document required; however, he or she may be required to present the original:

• in person, upon the request of a USCIS or consular official during an interview, or
  
  
• by mail, in response to a written request from USCIS.
  
  

An original document submitted under these circumstances will be returned to the petitioner or applicant when no longer required

.

[tempa 1]

not all documents mentioned fall under that category.

[Donna & Paul 4]

The I-485 instructions do say for arrest records they should be original or court-certified documents. So I'm not sure these fall under "all other documents".

tempa, did you send your original ACPO or just the court-certified disposition?

[tempa 1]

as my case was almost as old as myself, I did not have originals no more and hence sent court-certified copies.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

not all documents mentioned fall under that category.

Well they name specific documents that must be original, and since it didn't mention marriage certificate or court records, I inferred those fell under "all others".

Form I-20 issued by a Designated School Official to a foreign student

Form DS-2019 issued by a Program Officer to an Exchange Visitor

Labor Certification issued by the Department of Labor

Labor Condition Agreement with the Department of Labor endorsement

Form I-693 Medical Examination issued by a authorized civil surgeon

Vaccination Sign-off Supplement to Medical Examination Certificate

Attestations, formal consultations and advisory opinions (e.g., a letter from a recognized expert attesting to someone’s extraordinary professional skills)

Affidavits prepared in place of unavailable documents (e.g., an affidavit in place of a birth certificate where the official records were destroyed by fire)

Translations of documents (even when the rules allow submission of a photocopy of the document itself.)

Do what makes sense to you, but I would not send originals if you want them back.It's your application so go with what you think best. Good luck.

Edited September 14, 2012 by Nich-Nick

[tempa 1]

they mention specific documents in I-485 instructions. and court records are listed there.

not sure what the list you provided is.

[Donna & Paul 4]

tempa,

That list came right off the USCIS website at the link Nich-Nick provided earlier.

How Do I Know If I Need Original Documents?

Applications and Petitions must be submitted in the original.

The USCIS requires documentation to prove the existence of relationships and facts in support of petitions and applications. The following will clarify when originals are required and when photocopies may be submitted.

Submission of Supporting Documents - Original vs. Photocopy - If a supporting document is prepared by the issuing authority solely for the purpose of presentation to USCIS, an applicant or petitioner must submit the original document with the application or petition. Examples of supporting documents which must be presented in the original are:

Form I-20 issued by a Designated School Official to a foreign student

Form DS-2019 issued by a Program Officer to an Exchange Visitor

Labor Certification issued by the Department of Labor

Labor Condition Agreement with the Department of Labor endorsement

Form I-693 Medical Examination issued by a authorized civil surgeon

Vaccination Sign-off Supplement to Medical Examination Certificate

Attestations, formal consultations and advisory opinions (e.g., a letter from a recognized expert attesting to someone’s extraordinary professional skills)

Affidavits prepared in place of unavailable documents (e.g., an affidavit in place of a birth certificate where the official records were destroyed by fire)

Translations of documents (even when the rules allow submission of a photocopy of the document itself.)

NOTE: If the applicant or petitioner has already submitted the original document to the USCIS in connection with another matter, he or she may submit a photocopy along with an explanation of when and why the original was previously sent to the USCIS.

For all other documents, the applicant may submit a photocopy of the document required; however, he or she may be required to present the original:

in person, upon the request of a USCIS or consular official during an interview, or

by mail, in response to a written request from USCIS.

An original document submitted under these circumstances will be returned to the petitioner or applicant when no longer required.

NOTE: Although the law prohibits duplication of naturalization certificates, certificates of citizenship, and Permanent Resident Cards (formerly known as Alien Registration Cards and commonly called “Green Cards”) for some purposes, that prohibition does not apply to making a photocopy for submission to the USCIS in conjunction with an application or petition.

NOTE: Original documents submitted when not required will remain a part of the record. If you decided at a later time that you want your original returned, please file Form G-884 with the office where you submitted the original document(s). The Form G-884 is available for those in the U.S. through Forms by Mail.

How Do I Get Original Documents Back?

Original documents submitted when not required will remain a part of the record. If you decided at a later time that you want your original returned, please file Form G-884 with the office where you submitted the original document(s). The Form G-884 is available for those in the U.S. through Forms by Mail but is not available on this website.

Regulations: 8 CFR 103.2(b)(4); 8 CFR 204.1(f).

Even that link made me scratch my head a little. We presented original/court-certified documents at the K-1 interview, but they gave them back to us and put the photocopies we had in the file. I'm sending in photocopies and either they will RFE us for the originals/court-certified documents or request we bring them to an interview. I will keep you posted as to what happens as I couldn't find much information about this myself.

Thanks for all of your help tempa and Nich-Nick.

Edited September 14, 2012 by Donna & Paul

[tempa 1]

I think the key in that USCIS snippet is this part: "Examples of supporting documents which must be presented in the original are:"

it doesn't say these documents and nothing else. these are examples.

anyways, you chose your option.

just keep us posted which action they chose to take.

good luck

Edited September 14, 2012 by tempa