Sending copies of documents for AOS

[~Alessa~ 26]

Hello everyone!

I am doing AOS from K-1 visa and I am wondering about copies of the documents that I need to send.

So, I have a certified copy of my marriage license with blue sheet on it that makes is official and I have original marriage license. So I am wondering if I can send a copy of my original marriage license because as I know, if I send certified copy I won't get it back?

Also, I am wondering about tax transcripts, should my husband send the original ones or can we make a copy of transcripts and send it?

The same question about bank statements.

And do we really need to send bank statements with I-485 application?

Edited July 7, 2016 by ~Alessa~

[Jeffrey&David 32]

Hi -

1. I sent a Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate. I was told you can send a copy, but that sometimes that creates an RFE, so safer to just send the certified copy. When I got it, I just paid for like 3 copies so I would always have some.

2. I sent copies of tax returns (I did not send actual transcripts), so I think copies of transcripts would be fine.

3. For the I-864, I did not send bank statements. I just sent the I-864, w/ copy of birth certificate, copy of passport for citizenship proof and copies of 3 years of tax returns.

For reference, here is what I sent: (note, I did not apply for AP, so you would add that I-131 if you want AP)

1. Form G-1145;

2. Check in the amount of $1,070.00 for filing fees;

3. Form I-485 w/ 2 Passport Photos;

4. Form I-765 w/ 2 Passport Photos;

5. Form G-325 A;

6. Copy of Notice of Action of Approval of I-129F Petition;

7. Copy of Birth Certificate w/Translation of Applicant;

8. Copy of I-94;

9. Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate;

10. Copy of K-1 Visa Page of Passport of Applicant;

11. Copy of Full Passport of Applicant;

12. Form I-693 in Sealed Envelope (Vaccination Portion); and

13. Form I-864 Affidavit of Support by Jeffrey E. Brewster w/ Birth Certificate and Passport as proof of citizenship & Past 3 Years Tax Returns.

Hope this helps!

[Lainie B 465]

You need the marriage certificate, not the license. Sometimes these are the same thing, sometimes these are different documents, depending on where you married. Make sure you are sending the marriage certificate.

The original marriage certificate stays at the court. You always get a certified copy. You can request additional certified copies. A photocopy of a certified copy should be fine for AOS, but some people send an actual certified copy. You won't get anything back.

You can send copies of the tax transcripts.

No need for bank statements at this stage.