Divorce Decree - Certified or Copy

[royyount 31]

I am getting everything together for my I-129F and I need to include mine and my fiance's divorce decrees.   I am having her get her's translated and notarized just in case.  I want to see if mine needs to be a certified (samped) copy from the court, or if I can simply make a copy of mine and send it.

[payxibka 10,045]

2 minutes ago, royyount said:

I am getting everything together for my I-129F and I need to include mine and my fiance's divorce decrees.   I am having her get her's translated and notarized just in case.  I want to see if mine needs to be a certified (samped) copy from the court, or if I can simply make a copy of mine and send it.

A careful read of the instructions will tell you that all evidence submitted to the uscis is legible photocopies of original or certified copies unless an original is specifically requested 

[royyount 31]

I thought that is what I read as well.  I may send a certified copy regardless just to make sure.

[Sarge2155 4,587]

8 minutes ago, royyount said:

I am getting everything together for my I-129F and I need to include mine and my fiance's divorce decrees.   I am having her get her's translated and notarized just in case.  I want to see if mine needs to be a certified (samped) copy from the court, or if I can simply make a copy of mine and send it.

Copies are acceptable unless they specifically ask for an original, be sure to send ALL pages of the decrees and also make sure sure that your copies are signed or stamped.

Edited August 11, 2019 by Sarge2155

[Sarge2155 4,587]

1 minute ago, royyount said:

I thought that is what I read as well.  I may send a certified copy regardless just to make sure.

Good idea but make sure you send ALL pages!

[payxibka 10,045]

2 minutes ago, royyount said:

I thought that is what I read as well.  I may send a certified copy regardless just to make sure.

There is no making sure or extra credit 

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*procedural question moved from “progress reports” to “process and procedures”*~*~*

 

Please ensure you read all the instructions that accompany the I-129F form on the USCIS website. Asking a question like this suggests you haven’t read the instructions completely and you may have missed other requirements. 

[Crazy Cat 41,846]

5 minutes ago, royyount said:

I thought that is what I read as well.  I may send a certified copy regardless just to make sure.

Do not over think the process..........

[royyount 31]

I have read them many times...but I didn't see a clear requirement that they be certified, so I wanted to see what other people's experience may have been.

 

Just now, missileman said:

Do not over think the process..........

Thanks!  I appreciate that.   

[mich923 23]

17 minutes ago, royyount said:

I am getting everything together for my I-129F and I need to include mine and my fiance's divorce decrees.   I am having her get her's translated and notarized just in case.  I want to see if mine needs to be a certified (samped) copy from the court, or if I can simply make a copy of mine and send it.

I've sent a photocopy of my husband's divorce certificate. Only send the original if they ask for it. They might ask for the original divorce certificates at the interview.

[Crazy Cat 41,846]

Just now, mich923 said:

They might ask for the original divorce certificates at the interview.

They will.....

[payxibka 10,045]

3 minutes ago, missileman said:

They will.....

For the applicant,  not necessarily the petitionner 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

54 minutes ago, payxibka said:

For the applicant,  not necessarily the petitionner 

No they wanted to see mine (petitioner)

Different embassies have different requirements?

Whatever we send our general interview strategy is bring a set of copies to the interview and carry a set of originals to match the copies.

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, Nitas_man said:

No they wanted to see mine (petitioner)

Different embassies have different requirements?

Whatever we send our general interview strategy is bring a set of copies to the interview and carry a set of originals to match the copies.

Duh, I said not necessarily which means exceptions apply.

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 hour ago, royyount said:

I am getting everything together for my I-129F and I need to include mine and my fiance's divorce decrees.   I am having her get her's translated and notarized just in case.  I want to see if mine needs to be a certified (samped) copy from the court, or if I can simply make a copy of mine and send it.

 

1 hour ago, royyount said:

I thought that is what I read as well.  I may send a certified copy regardless just to make sure.

You can send a copy of the "certified copy"  keeping the certified copy from the court for later

 

From I-129F instructions:

 

Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document. USCIS may request an original document at the time of filing or at any time during processing of an application, petition, or request. If USCIS requests an original document from you, it will be returned to you after USCIS determines it no longer needs your original

 

 

**  Do read the instructions sheet for the I-129F, it has answers to your questions there.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-129finstr.pdf?download=1

Edited August 11, 2019 by Hank_