Question about RFE

[USAUAinCZ 38]

Hey everyone,

I got the dreaded RFE. This is what they say on mine.

 

SUBMIT MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE Submit a photocopy of the original marriage certificate for the marriage of [me] and [my wife]. The marriage certificate must be issued by an appropriate civil authority. In order for the marriage to be considered valid for immigration purposes, it must have been legally valid in the location where the marriage took place. The document must include the date of registration and signature of the registrar.

 

 

I want to make sure I know what to send here. I originally sent a certified copy of my marriage certificate from the government and they sent it back a few weeks after I applied saying they no longer needed it.

So now they are asking for a photocopy of the original marriage certificate? I don't need to ask the government for another copy, I can just photocopy the original one and send it to them? I luckily have it with me so it's not a problem. 

I just don't want to mess this up.

[SalishSea 17,829]

1 hour ago, USAUAinCZ said:

Hey everyone,

I got the dreaded RFE. This is what they say on mine.

 

SUBMIT MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE Submit a photocopy of the original marriage certificate for the marriage of [me] and [my wife]. The marriage certificate must be issued by an appropriate civil authority. In order for the marriage to be considered valid for immigration purposes, it must have been legally valid in the location where the marriage took place. The document must include the date of registration and signature of the registrar.

 

 

I want to make sure I know what to send here. I originally sent a certified copy of my marriage certificate from the government and they sent it back a few weeks after I applied saying they no longer needed it.

So now they are asking for a photocopy of the original marriage certificate? I don't need to ask the government for another copy, I can just photocopy the original one and send it to them? I luckily have it with me so it's not a problem. 

I just don't want to mess this up.

Really makes no sense why they sent your MC back, as it is absolutely needed for marriage-based visas.....

[geowrian 22,337]

What exactly did you send them? Where did you marry?

 

Assuming you married in Ukraine (based on your profile), the MC must meet these requirements: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country/Ukraine.html

Quote

Marriage

Available

Fees: < USD 1 for original issuance; < USD 1 for re-issuance

Document Name: Svidotstvo pro shlyub

Issuing Authority: District or regional State registration of civil status offices

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: All kinds of marriage certificates issued on the territory of current Ukraine are accepted.  All of them bear a wet seal and a signature of the executive officer of the issuing authority

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Department Head of the State registration of civil status office

Registration Criteria: Defined by Family Code of Ukraine

Procedure for Obtaining: Issued to the married couple on the day of the civil marriage registration. The procedure of obtaining a re-issued document is the same as for the birth certificate.  Re-issuance of the marriage certificate is not possible if the marriage has been terminated. In such case, the extract from the state registry can confirm the dates of marriage and divorce and the surnames prior to marriage registration and after divorce.

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Extract from the State registry of civil status of citizens about the marriage to confirm the premarital surnames (in case the marriage has been terminated)

Exceptions: None

Comments: According to the Family Code of Ukraine, religious marriage ceremonies are not recognized as a legal marriage.  A marriage is only considered legal after its registration with the civil registry office and it is only legal from the date it is registered in the registry office.

Same-sex marriages are not possible in Ukraine. According to Article 21 of Ukrainian Family code, marriage is defined as a registered union between male and female partners.

Take special note of the document name, issuing authority, and procedure for obtaining.

I would note is says "certified copies are not available", so I'm not sure how exactly you sent one originally...?

 

If you married in another country, use the links on the website above to find the marriage document information for that country.

 

If you did send exactly what was requested above, then it was probably a mistake to return it.

Edited April 24, 2020 by geowrian

[millefleur 5,046]

I could be totally wrong here, but maybe they sent you back the certified copy because it was not a "photocopy" and they merely want a photocopy and not an "original" certified copy from the government?

 

Were any translations involved? Was the original you sent in accompanied by a translation?

[Sparkle Sparkle 914]

I agree with @millefleur

Follow the instructions literally... Make legible copies of your MC front and back and send to them

[USAUAinCZ 38]

8 hours ago, millefleur said:

I could be totally wrong here, but maybe they sent you back the certified copy because it was not a "photocopy" and they merely want a photocopy and not an "original" certified copy from the government?

 

Were any translations involved? Was the original you sent in accompanied by a translation?

Hi, 

I originally sent the marriage certificate that I made a copy of and had notarized in Ukraine. We got married in Ukraine. I also provided a translation from a certified translator who specified that she is capable of doing the translation along with a seal. 

I'm not sure why they sent me back the Marriage Certificate and now are saying they never received it when I have the letter here with me from USCIS. 

[carmel34 3,631]

1 hour ago, USAUAinCZ said:

I originally sent the marriage certificate that I made a copy of and had notarized in Ukraine.

Send a photocopy of your original marriage certificate, no need for getting the photocopy notarized.  If you got a photocopy notarized and sent it that may be your problem as it is not what they specify as acceptable.