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almendez

Is Marriage Certificate really needed for AOS I-485?

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
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Hello all,

 

My Fiancé and I got married here in Los Angeles last August 8. She came here in the U.S. under K-1 Visa in June 10. We are now looking into filing for Adjustment of Status for her Green Card. (Just an FYI, my wife changed her last name to mine)

 

The process for Marriage Certificate here in Los Angeles takes about 6-8 weeks (probably longer). I have done some research here and other websites saying that a Marriage Certificate is really needed for filing AOS. I have consulted Visa services and immigration lawyers and they all mentioned that we can file now without the Marriage Certificate and just submit my my Customer Copy of Marriage License that I got from getting the Marriage License form and signed by the Officiant of my Wedding.


I have read the I-485 instructions and on Page 9 it is stated: 
"If you are unable to submit the required primary evidence (for example, a birth certificate or marriage certificate), you may provide secondary evidence (for example, church or school records) instead if you can explain why the primary evidence is unavailable.  If you are unable to submit secondary evidence, you may submit two or more affidavits, sworn to or affirmed by individuals who are not parties to the immigration benefit sought and who have direct personal knowledge of the event and circumstances.  You must also explain why primary and secondary evidence are unavailable."

 

So now, I am confused. for my understanding right now, Marriage Certificate is required as a primary evidence, but I can submit a secondary evidence such as my Customer Copy of Marriage License along with photos, and records from the officiant?

 

Also, my wife's I-94 is about the expire on Sept 7. Is there any difference on filing AOS between unexpired and expired I-94? and if my wifes I-94 expired,  Is she still ok to stay here in the U.S?

 

When you receive and RFE, is the delay really that long even if you have the evidence and sent to USCIS right away?

 

Just to let you guys know that the reason why we are a bit rushing is that my wife I-94 is about to expire, she would like to work right away and to also get a SSN to be able to acquire drivers license.


Just seeking some clarifications on this and If anyone here has filed for AOS and  had or have the same situation now. I thank you all in advance.

 

Edited by almendez
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Yes, include the Marriage Certificate.

Yes, USCIS may send you a RFE for the Marriage Certificate if you did not include it with the original AOS filing.

 

Many couples fail to anticipate the bottleneck wait-time to get the Marriage Certificate. That is why many do the Las Vegas marriage to get the Marriage Certificate sooner.

 

Best to file the I-485 before the I-94 expires.

Edited by EatBulaga
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You do need the marriage certificate, but missing it will only cause an RFE. I got an RFE during I485 - not for marriage certificate - but it probably caused a 4 month delay to my case. 
 

If you don’t file before the I-94 expires, your wife is then out of status and is running a higher risk of being removed from the country. There are several stories here on VJ of people delaying filing to beyond the I94 and the beneficiary getting in trouble and maybe being removed.

 

imo, the RFE is inconvenient, filing after the I94 is a potentially life-changing and unnecessary risk. 
 

good luck! 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Myanmar
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We’ve known for years that LA county was a problem and we have advised K-1s and those on a B-1 status to not get married in LA county.  
 

I-485 won’t be approved with a marriage certificate and might even be rejected instead of getting an RFE.  
 

 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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8 hours ago, AW1704 said:

You do need the marriage certificate, but missing it will only cause an RFE.

USCIS has discretion when a case appears to have been sent as a placeholder (vital documents omitted).  They could issue an immediate denial. 

Edited by Crazy Cat

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~~ Topic moved from AOS K1 Progress Reports to Process ~~
 

Not including the marriage certificate is not an option here. You have to remember that I-485 is used for other types of applicants as well and the statement about secondary evidence concerns those cases where it’s legitimately not possible to obtain records due to reasons such as war, certain countries not issuing documents prior to year XYZ, etc. 

 

I always say that submitting AOS after I-94 is not a good idea but your wife will not have to leave the US because of that. Overstays are forgiven for spouses of US citizens. Just take precautions and don’t travel near the US borders or engage is risky behavior that would break laws. 

Edited by powerpuff

 

 

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43 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

USCIS has discretion when a case appears to have been sent as a placeholder (vital documents omitted).  They could issue an immediate denial. 

Fair enough. The words ‘rock’ and ‘hard place’ come to mind. 

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Kenya
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You can go back or call the clerk's office where you submitted your MC and ask for a certified copy. Use that certified copy for AOS. It does the same job. It's $10 or less for the certified copy. You can get it today, just call the clerk's...been there for a friend, done that. 

 

And why do people say "last August 08" when they're talking about this past August 08. Last August 08 refers to 2021 🤦🏽‍♂️

Immigration journey is not: fast, for the faint at heart, easy, cheap, for the impatient nor right away. If more than 50% of this applies to you, best get off the bus.

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4 hours ago, Timona said:

 

And why do people say "last August 08" when they're talking about this past August 08. Last August 08 refers to 2021 🤦🏽‍♂️

Different language and different ways of saying it, just like there are different ways to write a date. It depends on where you come from!


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USCIS is like a box of chocolates, you never know what kind of answer you are going to get!!!!

 

 

                                    

 

 

 

 


                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
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Thank you all for the replies.

 

So what should i do now? File for AOS now and risk the RFE?

 

or wait for my marriage certificate to be available and then file for AOS?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Hungary
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5 hours ago, Timona said:

You can go back or call the clerk's office where you submitted your MC and ask for a certified copy. Use that certified copy for AOS. It does the same job. It's $10 or less for the certified copy. You can get it today, just call the clerk's...been there for a friend, done that. 

 

And why do people say "last August 08" when they're talking about this past August 08. Last August 08 refers to 2021 🤦🏽‍♂️

OP, there's your answer @almendez

Entry on VWP to visit then-boyfriend 06/13/2011

Married 06/24/2011

Our first son was born 10/31/2012, our daughter was born 06/30/2014, our second son was born 06/20/2017

AOS Timeline

AOS package mailed 09/06/2011 (Chicago Lockbox)

AOS package signed for by R Mercado 09/07/2011

Priority date for I-485&I-130 09/08/2011

Biometrics done 10/03/2011

Interview letter received 11/18/2011

INTERVIEW DATE!!!! 12/20/2011

Approval e-mail 12/21/2011

Card production e-mail 12/27/2011

GREEN CARD ARRIVED 12/31/2011

Resident since 12/21/2011

ROC Timeline

ROC package mailed to VSC 11/22/2013

NOA1 date 11/26/2013

Biometrics date 12/26/2013

Transfer notice to CSC 03/14/2014

Change of address 03/27/2014

Card production ordered 04/30/2014

10-YEAR GREEN CARD ARRIVED 05/06/2014

N-400 Timeline

N-400 package mailed 09/30/2014

N-400 package delivered 10/01/2014

NOA1 date 10/20/2014

Biometrics date 11/14/2014

Early walk-in biometrics 11/12/2014

In-line for interview 11/23/2014

Interview letter 03/18/2015

Interview date 04/17/2015 ("Decision cannot yet be made.")

In-line for oath scheduling 05/04/2015

Oath ceremony letter dated 05/11/2015

Oath ceremony 06/02/2015

I am a United States citizen!

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline
9 minutes ago, EM_Vandaveer said:

OP, there's your answer @almendez

Right. Im actually on my way to Norwalk, CA where my marriage license was submitted. I have liitle hope of getting certified copy today, but it could be worth a shot. 

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