documents to show that you are a U.S. citzen

[megaladon 2]

I'm reading the instructions for form I-130, and it lists documents A-E which show that the petitioner is a U.S. citizen. 

My questions about this section:

1. The instructions do not clearly state whether ALL must be provided or only ONE must be provided.  What do they want?

2. It makes no sense to provide item A if you were not born in the US originally. So do you still provide it?

3. Providing a copy of a naturalization certificate is tricky because we were told during the naturalization to never under any circumstances make a photocopy of it.  What should I do? Break their own rules to follow their rules?  

 

For reference here are the documents they list:

A. A copy of your birth certificate, issued by a civil registrar, vital statistics office, or other civil authority showing
that you were born in the United States;
B. A copy of your naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship issued by USCIS or the former Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS);
C. A copy of Form FS-240, Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate;
D. A copy of your unexpired U.S. passport; or
E. An original statement from a U.S. consular officer verifying that you are a U.S. citizen with a valid passport.

[Crazy Cat 43,012]

The word "or" in item D indicates that any one of the items is sufficient. It does not say you must send all of them.  As a naturalized citizen, You may send a copy of your Naturalization Certificate or a copy of your unexpired US passport.

Edited December 7, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[megaladon 2]

Thank you for pointing out the or and its significance.

 

We were told during the citizenship oath that was a very serious violation to ever photocopy a naturalization certificate, so I feel extremely unsure about including that.  Perhaps the US passport will be sufficient evidence.

[Crazy Cat 43,012]

  On 12/7/2023 at 1:01 PM, megaladon said:

Thank you for pointing out the or and its significance.

 

We were told during the citizenship oath that was a very serious violation to ever photocopy a naturalization certificate, so I feel extremely unsure about including that.  Perhaps the US passport will be sufficient evidence.

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The very first thing I did with wife's Naturalization Certificate was to make both physical and digital copies. ...for personal use.  It is also legal to copy for government use.   If you are uncomfortable, just send a copy of passport.  It is sufficient evidence in itself.  

Edited December 7, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[megaladon 2]

I don't know for sure, but the certificate itself says that it is punishable by US law to copy, print or photograph the certificate without lawful authority".

[Crazy Cat 43,012]

  On 12/7/2023 at 1:26 PM, megaladon said:

without lawful authority"

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There is your authorization to copy it.  For government use is "lawful authority".   However, if you have an unexpired US passport, just send a copy of that. 

 

Edited December 7, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Chancy 6,245]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Progress Reports to IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures ***

 

[SalishSea 18,376]

  On 12/7/2023 at 1:43 PM, Crazy Cat said:

There is your authorization to copy it.  For government use is "lawful authority".   However, if you have an unexpired US passport, just send a copy of that. 

 

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Hey C. Cat, if you get put in the paddy wagon and dragged to the slammer for egregious photocopying, we’ll help you make bail!

[Vickys_Mom 242]

  On 12/7/2023 at 8:21 PM, SalishSea said:

Hey C. Cat, if you get put in the paddy wagon and dragged to the slammer for egregious photocopying, we’ll help you make bail!

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Not me.  I want to see them try him for the offense of making a copy of a government document to provide to, well, the government.  (smile)

 

Regards,

Vicky's Mom

[pushbrk 13,319]

Another good time to say, read carefully (including the little words like or, and, if, etc.) interpret literally and answer or act accordingly.  Perfectly ok to copy and send to USCIS the Naturalization certificate, and lots more efficient than copying every page of your passport.

[SalishSea 18,376]

  On 12/7/2023 at 9:19 PM, Vickys_Mom said:

 

Not me.  I want to see them try him for the offense of making a copy of a government document to provide to, well, the government.  (smile)

 

Regards,

Vicky's Mom

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Nothing would surprise me with USCIS!

[OldUser 8,554]

  On 12/7/2023 at 1:01 PM, megaladon said:

Thank you for pointing out the or and its significance.

 

We were told during the citizenship oath that was a very serious violation to ever photocopy a naturalization certificate, so I feel extremely unsure about including that.  Perhaps the US passport will be sufficient evidence.

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What's the penalty for this violation out of curiosity?

Edited December 7, 2023 by OldUser

[pushbrk 13,319]

  On 12/7/2023 at 11:32 PM, OldUser said:

What's the penalty for this violation out of curiosity?

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I looked it up once.  All I remember was something about a wet noodle.

[millefleur 5,048]

  On 12/7/2023 at 11:32 PM, OldUser said:

What's the penalty for this violation out of curiosity?

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My guess is fraud and "unlawful" would be someone using it to impersonate or steal another's identity or if someone wanted to "help out" a "friend" by letting them try to fake a certificate etc. I'm not a lawyer though so it's just my hunch. I agree with @Crazy Cat that the citizen themselves has the right to make a copy and use for government purposes to prove identity, don't see how that could be illegal.