Birth and Marriage Certificate: AOS Guidance Needed

[PatSquared 57]

Hi everyone,

Some context: K1 visa received, one-way ticket purchased, just nine weeks to go (I arrive March 15 and we get married on the 28th!!!)

We wanted to get a head start on the AOS process. We would so appreciate it if someone could kindly help us with the following:

1. Provide some feedback on our cover letter (PDF attached, or the PNG file if the former doesn't work) and also double-check that we listed all the materials that we need to submit with the packet.

 

2. (Please confirm or clarify) if it makes a difference to include copies of my (beneficiary) birth certificate and our marriage certificate with I-765 and I-131 applications. We noticed that both the birth and marriage certificates are not included in the list of required documents on the USCIS website, but we've been seeing a lot of VJ-ers include them in those two applications.

Many, many thanks!

AOS Cover Letter.pdf

[LionessDeon 2,060]

You only have to submit one copy of marriage certificate with 1-485. 

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, PatSquared said:

Hi everyone,

Some context: K1 visa received, one-way ticket purchased, just nine weeks to go (I arrive March 15 and we get married on the 28th!!!)

We wanted to get a head start on the AOS process. We would so appreciate it if someone could kindly help us with the following:

1. Provide some feedback on our cover letter (PDF attached, or the PNG file if the former doesn't work) and also double-check that we listed all the materials that we need to submit with the packet.

 

2. (Please confirm or clarify) if it makes a difference to include copies of my (beneficiary) birth certificate and our marriage certificate with I-765 and I-131 applications. We noticed that both the birth and marriage certificates are not included in the list of required documents on the USCIS website, but we've been seeing a lot of VJ-ers include them in those two applications.

Many, many thanks!

AOS Cover Letter.pdf 49.95 kB · 0 downloads

That’s a really good list. I too, like the other comment, would leave the marriage certificate off the EAD and AP applications. No birth certificate with those two either.
 

And a note about your birth certificate. You need a certified translation if it is not in English...both the complete non-English version and the translation. 
 

Well done.

Edited January 28, 2020 by Wuozopo

[payxibka 10,045]

2 hours ago, PatSquared said:

Hi everyone,

Some context: K1 visa received, one-way ticket purchased, just nine weeks to go (I arrive March 15 and we get married on the 28th!!!)

We wanted to get a head start on the AOS process. We would so appreciate it if someone could kindly help us with the following:

1. Provide some feedback on our cover letter (PDF attached, or the PNG file if the former doesn't work) and also double-check that we listed all the materials that we need to submit with the packet.

 

2. (Please confirm or clarify) if it makes a difference to include copies of my (beneficiary) birth certificate and our marriage certificate with I-765 and I-131 applications. We noticed that both the birth and marriage certificates are not included in the list of required documents on the USCIS website, but we've been seeing a lot of VJ-ers include them in those two applications.

Many, many thanks!

AOS Cover Letter.pdf 49.95 kB · 0 downloads

Time to graduate to the AOS forum 

[NikLR 13,227]

~~moved to AOS family based from K1 ~~

 

I'm going to disagree with the others and say to include a copy of everything with each part of the petitions.  People have received RFE's frequently enough for leaving them off. 

[PatSquared 57]

20 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

That’s a really good list. I too, like the other comment, would leave the marriage certificate off the EAD and AP applications. No birth certificate with those two either.
 

And a note about your birth certificate. You need a certified translation if it is not in English...both the complete non-English version and the translation. 
 

Well done.

Thank you for looking over our list and providing this feedback!

 

Thankfully, my fiancé’s (beneficiary) Philippine birth certificate is already in English, so we don’t have to go through the trouble of having it translated.

[PatSquared 57]

18 hours ago, NikLR said:

~~moved to AOS family based from K1 ~~

 

I'm going to disagree with the others and say to include a copy of everything with each part of the petitions.  People have received RFE's frequently enough for leaving them off. 

Hi there! Thank you for your input.

 

So to confirm, you suggest we include the following for the I-765 and I-131:

 

1) Two passport-style photos (for each)

2) Copy of applicant’s UK passport - bio page, US entry stamp, and K1 Visa

3) Copy of applicant’s most recent Electronic I-94

4) Copy of applicant’s marriage certificate

5) Copy of applicant’s birth certificate

Are there any other documents we need to include? Also, I know that we need to include a certified copy of the marriage certificate with the I-485. Should the marriage certificate copies included in the I-765 and I-131 packets be certified as well? Or will regular photo copies do?

 

Thank you!

[lumbar 3]

22 hours ago, PatSquared said:

Hi everyone,

Some context: K1 visa received, one-way ticket purchased, just nine weeks to go (I arrive March 15 and we get married on the 28th!!!)

We wanted to get a head start on the AOS process. We would so appreciate it if someone could kindly help us with the following:

1. Provide some feedback on our cover letter (PDF attached, or the PNG file if the former doesn't work) and also double-check that we listed all the materials that we need to submit with the packet.

 

2. (Please confirm or clarify) if it makes a difference to include copies of my (beneficiary) birth certificate and our marriage certificate with I-765 and I-131 applications. We noticed that both the birth and marriage certificates are not included in the list of required documents on the USCIS website, but we've been seeing a lot of VJ-ers include them in those two applications.

Many, many thanks!

AOS Cover Letter.pdf 49.95 kB · 2 downloads

did you sent it already?

 

[PatSquared 57]

17 minutes ago, lumbar said:

did you sent it already?

 

Not yet! My fiancé hasn’t even arrived from the UK yet. Haha. But we just wanted to get a head start filling out what we can on the applications and gathering our documents, so that we’ll be able to send everything off soon after we’re married.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

15 hours ago, PatSquared said:

Are there any other documents we need to include? Also, I know that we need to include a certified copy of the marriage certificate with the I-485. Should the marriage certificate copies included in the I-765 and I-131 packets be certified as well? Or will regular photo copies do?

The instructions say

Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document.

My AOS list was written slightly differently using the word “photocopy” rather than “copy”. Semantics.

Photocopy of passport

Photocopy of birth certificate

Photocopy of certified marriage certificate

...etc

[arken 4,197]

16 hours ago, PatSquared said:

Also, I know that we need to include a certified copy of the marriage certificate with the I-485.
 

You are mistaken, a regular photocopy is required.

 

 

16 hours ago, PatSquared said:

 

Should the marriage certificate copies included in the I-765 and I-131 packets be certified as well? Or will regular photo copies do?

 

Thank you!

None is required.

[PatSquared 57]

4 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

The instructions say

Copies. You should submit legible photocopies of documents requested, unless the Instructions specifically state that you must submit an original document.

My AOS list was written slightly differently using the word “photocopy” rather than “copy”. Semantics.

Photocopy of passport

Photocopy of birth certificate

Photocopy of certified marriage certificate

...etc

Thank you for the clarification. The reason I thought the certified copy was needed was because this was written on the AOS Guide for K1/K3 here on Visajourney:

 

Quote A copy of your marriage certificate. Note: While a regular copy is allowed, submitting a certified copy is preferred as some members have received an RFE asking for this (so if one is available use that instead).   I also remember reading posts written by people who had received RFE's for not submitting the certified version, but I suppose they may have just photocopied their "souvenir" marriage certificate and not a photocopy of the certified copy.

Edited January 29, 2020 by PatSquared

[Wuozopo 4,293]

10 minutes ago, PatSquared said:

Thank you for the clarification. The reason I thought the certified copy was needed was because this was written on the AOS Guide for K1/K3 here on Visajourney:

 

I also remember reading posts written by people who had received RFE's for not submitting the certified version, but I suppose they may have just photocopied their "souvenir" marriage certificate and not a photocopy of the certified copy.

To be honest, I didn’t use the Visa Journey guides for much except to point me to further research. I read the instructions for every form (many times over) that are available on the USCIS website. I like to see it straight from the source. Some people like to get strangers to tell them and thus mixed answers. Some people aren’t fluent in English or reading government jibberish. But we mostly all end up end up with a visa and greencard, no matter how we approach getting the information.
 

As far as reported RFEs, you are right, it is hard to know if some people even understand why they got the RFE or remember what they sent or understand what was supposed to be sent. I tended to stick by the USCIS instructions that I had read over and over and over. My experience was never getting one RFE. But no doubt, the contractors that open the mail could miss something or make a mistake and send an incorrect request for evidence. 

[PatSquared 57]

10 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

To be honest, I didn’t use the Visa Journey guides for much except to point me to further research. I read the instructions for every form (many times over) that are available on the USCIS website. I like to see it straight from the source. Some people like to get strangers to tell them and thus mixed answers. Some people aren’t fluent in English or reading government jibberish. But we mostly all end up end up with a visa and greencard, no matter how we approach getting the information.
 

As far as reported RFEs, you are right, it is hard to know if some people even understand why they got the RFE or remember what they sent or understand what was supposed to be sent. I tended to stick by the USCIS instructions that I had read over and over and over. My experience was never getting one RFE. But no doubt, the contractors that open the mail could miss something or make a mistake and send an incorrect request for evidence. 

Yes, all good points. VJ has been such a valuable resource and was so helpful throughout our K1 journey, but we've experienced moments of confusion due to some of the mixed responses and opinions we've come across.

 

So to clarify, all we need to submit is a PHOTOCOPY of the certified copy (stating where the marriage is registered/recorded, date filed, with signature certifying that it is a copy from county records, etc.)

[Wuozopo 4,293]

43 minutes ago, PatSquared said:

Yes, all good points. VJ has been such a valuable resource and was so helpful throughout our K1 journey, but we've experienced moments of confusion due to some of the mixed responses and opinions we've come across.

 

So to clarify, all we need to submit is a PHOTOCOPY of the certified copy (stating where the marriage is registered/recorded, date filed, with signature certifying that it is a copy from county records, etc.)

 

page 20 of the USCIS instructions:

 

Nonimmigrant fiancé(e) beneficiaries of Form I-129F always have a visa available, but may file Form I-485 only after marrying the U.S. citizen (Form I-129F petitioner) within the requisite 90-day period after admission to the United States on a K-1 visa.
In addition to the evidence listed in the What Evidence Must You Submit with Form I-485 section, you must submit
a copy of the marriage certificate to show that the K-1 nonimmigrant fiancé(e) married the U.S. citizen (Form I-129F petitioner) in the 90-day period. This additional requirement applies to both K-1 principal and K-2 derivative applicants

 

Take from that what you wish. They do not say original certified marriage certificate. They said earlier send good photocopies of documents unless instructed otherwise. I would take all originals to the interview so they see it is real.  I sent all photocopies of those kinds of personal documents. If you ordered extra certified copies, then you may have a spare to give away. No marriage certificate is mention in the other two applications. In the end, do what makes you feel confident that you are doing it correctly.