AOS - Immunization

[clairegie 265]

We had to delay adjusting my status for a while since we had to save up for it. Anyway, my immunization record from my country is still up to date. (It was done towards the end of October 2013). When I came to the States, I also did the civil surgeon thing and got the I-693 along with a sealed envelope.

We are getting ready to send it tomorrow. However, I need some clarification. To be on the safe side, do i send copies of DS-3025 AND I-693, plus the sealed envelope? I really dont want to get an RFE so I'm thinking of sending all three. Any advices?

Also, will we have any problems sending in the original marriage certificate? Are they strict about wanting a certified true copy?

Edited August 16, 2014 by iammrsregi

[cazzers 83]

I had the i693 completed here when I came, cause my ds3025 was showing incomplete, and I didn't want to risk it. So, I sent in the i693 and everything went smoothly.

As for the marriage certificate, if I'm not mistaken, the instructions on i485 only asks you to send a copy of the certificate...no need to send the certified copy of the MC, unless you are told so by a USCIS officer. I sent a normal copy of the MC, but at the interview we were asked to bring the original, meaning the certified copy of the certificate that you were given. the original stays with the health depart. or whoever handles the marriages in your state

[CowBoE 429]

We had to delay adjusting my status for a while since we had to save up for it. Anyway, my immunization record from my country is still up to date. (It was done towards the end of October 2013). When I came to the States, I also did the civil surgeon thing and got the I-693 along with a sealed envelope.

We are getting ready to send it tomorrow. However, I need some clarification. To be on the safe side, do i send copies of DS-3025 AND I-693, plus the sealed envelope? I really dont want to get an RFE so I'm thinking of sending all three. Any advices?

Also, will we have any problems sending in the original marriage certificate? Are they strict about wanting a certified true copy?

1. If you did I-693, then you must have gotten some missing or follow up vaccine shots in US?

Because I found out today, that if DS-3025 is sufficiently complete, then I-693 is not necessary.

2. That said, if you have the I-693 in a sealed envelope, then you shouldn't need to send DS-3025.

3. The I-485 only mentions of "copy" of marriage certificate and not the original/certified document.

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-485instr.pdf

[clairegie 265]

The reason I am hesitant to send a photocopy of our marriage certificate is because its printed on paper that if its scanned, the background of the photocopy will show VOID repeatedly Thanks for your answers.

[nobbie 105]

why would it show void repeatedly?

[clairegie 265]

why would it show void repeatedly?

I'm not sure how to explain it. Its like a holographic thing on the marriage certificate paper that when you try to photocopy it, the light from the copier would pick up the hologram. Its like what you see on paper bills when you tilt it.

Ok, I found a sample online (but its a death certificate).. you'll see on the background of this image the "VOID" that I get when I try to photocopy my marriage certificate.

Edited August 16, 2014 by iammrsregi

[nobbie 105]

I'd have thought it would be ok. , I would attach note to it explaining why it's like that although they must see them. Failing that just go back to the courthouse and get a copy from them.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I'm not sure how to explain it. Its like a holographic thing on the marriage certificate paper that when you try to photocopy it, the light from the copier would pick up the hologram. Its like what you see on paper bills when you tilt it.

Ok, I found a sample online (but its a death certificate).. you'll see on the background of this image the "VOID" that I get when I try to photocopy my marriage certificate.

Hi girl, nice to see you come back on VJ!

Anyhow, there are some cases people got RFE because they sent copy of marriage certificate. Some others don't, it depends on the adjudicator though. I, myself, sent certified marriage certificate along with my AoS package.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The void thing is a forgery protection built into the paper of the marriage certificate. The USCIS says send photocopies, so the print that comes up telling them it is a photocopy shouldn't surprise them or void it. They asked for a photocopy and will verify the original at the interview. If the writing obscures the dates or names they need to verify, then maybe it wouldn't be a good thing to send. If you think it is not readable, get another certified marriage certificate from the county. Don't mail off the only one you have.

Civil surgeon questions--

Since you went to a civil surgeon, then your DS-3025 photocopy is no longer useful. The newer dated I-693 replaces it. Do not bother sending the DS-3025.

Civil surgeons put their original signed I-693 in a sealed envelope for USCIS. The photocopy is so you can see what they put on it and check it over. Was it signed? Is your name spelled correctly? Did they list your new shots with the proper date? If there is something wrong with it, then you can get it corrected and a new sealed envelope before sending to USCIS. If it looks okay, then mail the sealed envelope with your application and keep the photocopy for your records. Everything USCIS needs is in the sealed envelope.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Hi girl, nice to see you come back on VJ!

Anyhow, there are some cases people got RFE because they sent copy of marriage certificate. Some others don't, it depends on the adjudicator though. I, myself, sent certified marriage certificate along with my AoS package.

Only a copy is required and it states this in the I-485 instructions. Links to people that got an RFE for sending a photocopy of a certified marriage certificate they received from the court after their marriage was registered?

[Girl from Celebes 588]

Only a copy is required and it states this in the I-485 instructions. Links to people that got an RFE for sending a photocopy of a certified marriage certificate they received from the court after their marriage was registered?

I read a few of posts that stated they sent a regular copy and got RFE to submit a certified copy of marriage certificate. I have read the instruction as well very carefully but I still ensemble my AOS package based on people's experience here. In fact, someone already sent a certified copy of marriage certificate and still got RFE, anyway. That's why I said, it depends on the adjudicator who processing the application.

Edited August 16, 2014 by Girl from Celebes

[Girl from Celebes 588]

I know each states has their own rules. In Florida, at least in Key West, my husband and I have never received the original of our marriage certificate. We'd only got a certified copy of marriage certificate - came in mail about 3 weeks- which I submitted for my AOS package. If I wanted to have another a certified copy, I have to go to court house, pay a fee about 3 USD per each copy and get a certified one with raised seal.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I know each states has their own rules. In Florida, at least in Key West, my husband and I have never received the original of our marriage certificate. We'd only got a certified copy of marriage certificate - came in mail about 3 weeks- which I submitted for my AOS package. If I wanted to have another a certified copy, I have to go to court house, pay a fee about 3 USD per each copy and get a certified one with raised seal.

You will need another marriage certificate if you apply for US citizenship based on being married to a US citizen. Also married women who changed their name would want to take their marriage certificate when travelling internationally if their passport is in the maiden name and greencard is in the married name. It shows the name change.

What you described is very similar to the county where I married in Texas. The real actual certificate is bound in a book in the county records. What they give out is a nice copy with a signed and dated notation that they "certify" it is a true copy of the county record. Hence it is a "certified copy". It also was embossed with the county seal. It is my understanding that the county where the large city of Houston is, no longer keeps dusty books of records. All are digital and what was described to me that is returned is the true original copy. One could order a copy of the digital record and when it is signed off (certified as true) then that would be called a certified copy.

People who are planning ahead, may want to ask for two or three certified copies the first round if they prefer not to mail a photocopy of the one with the seal and certification.

Just to show that things supposedly required often get passed over by USCIS. I never mailed off a certified document. It was always a photocopy....my birth certificate proving I am a USC, my former husband's death certificate proving I was free to marry (K1), and our new marriage certificate. It was assumed these things would be shown in original format at an interview. So AOS, no interview. Removing Conditions, no interview. Citizenship interview that even had a separate letter saying bring the originals, the lady said she didn't want to look at them. USCIS has never actually laid eyes on anything more than a photocopy of those documents. It doesn't mean we would have skipped bringing them. It just shows the experience of one person with a particular adjudicator doesn't mean it is true for all in every USCIS city. I think that's why some get RFEs where others don't. It often is down to the human who looks at your file and what they think.

[Girl from Celebes 588]

You will need another marriage certificate if you apply for US citizenship based on being married to a US citizen. Also married women who changed their name would want to take their marriage certificate when travelling internationally if their passport is in the maiden name and greencard is in the married name. It shows the name change.

What you described is very similar to the county where I married in Texas. The real actual certificate is bound in a book in the county records. What they give out is a nice copy with a signed and dated notation that they "certify" it is a true copy of the county record. Hence it is a "certified copy". It also was embossed with the county seal. It is my understanding that the county where the large city of Houston is, no longer keeps dusty books of records. All are digital and what was described to me that is returned is the true original copy. One could order a copy of the digital record and when it is signed off (certified as true) then that would be called a certified copy.

People who are planning ahead, may want to ask for two or three certified copies the first round if they prefer not to mail a photocopy of the one with the seal and certification.

Just to show that things supposedly required often get passed over by USCIS. I never mailed off a certified document. It was always a photocopy....my birth certificate proving I am a USC, my former husband's death certificate proving I was free to marry (K1), and our new marriage certificate. It was assumed these things would be shown in original format at an interview. So AOS, no interview. Removing Conditions, no interview. Citizenship interview that even had a separate letter saying bring the originals, the lady said she didn't want to look at them. USCIS has never actually laid eyes on anything more than a photocopy of those documents. It doesn't mean we would have skipped bringing them. It just shows the experience of one person with a particular adjudicator doesn't mean it is true for all in every USCIS city. I think that's why some get RFEs where others don't. It often is down to the human who looks at your file and what they think.

Thank you for a gentle reminder. I already have 3 copies of our certified marriage certificate just in case if we needed one in the future for other purposes.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

Yep, what Nich-Nick said. You never get the original. The original belongs to the government. You will always receive a certified copy of the original they have on file.

I have personally never seen anyone post they got an RFE for sending in the correct document needed, photocopy or otherwise. Sometimes people mistakenly send in something that is not the official marriage certificate, such as a souvenir certificate that is only good for framing and hanging on your wall. A photocopy of what the court gives you should suffice. Some people don't have to pay a lot for the certified copies in their state, so they just get extras and send those instead of a photocopy. However you want to do it works, but the instructions only require a photocopy for the initial filing.