Certified Copies of Court Documents

[Sophie F 3]

Hi all, 

 

I (beneficiary) am in the process of requesting certified copies of the arrest record and final court disposition for my USC fiance. 

 

For the initial I-129F petition, will we need to send to USCIS a certified copy itself that could be received by mail or can we send a printed version of a certified copy that can be sent to us by email?

 

Thank you

[Edward and Jaycel 1,095]

You will need the original, certified copy from the court (usually has a raised, dry seal on it) to send to USCIS. Once the case is adjudicated, USCIS will return the originals. I know this all from my experience getting an RFE on the I-129F for not providing the original, court certified copies of the disposition of the case.

[wildbug100420 223]

3 hours ago, Sophie F said:

Hi all, 

 

I (beneficiary) am in the process of requesting certified copies of the arrest record and final court disposition for my USC fiance. 

 

For the initial I-129F petition, will we need to send to USCIS a certified copy itself that could be received by mail or can we send a printed version of a certified copy that can be sent to us by email?

 

Thank you

I would think that the petitioner would have to request. 

[maryaaaa 100]

On 3/10/2025 at 11:55 AM, Edward and Jaycel said:

You will need the original, certified copy from the court (usually has a raised, dry seal on it) to send to USCIS. Once the case is adjudicated, USCIS will return the originals. I know this all from my experience getting an RFE on the I-129F for not providing the original, court certified copies of the disposition of the case.

 

My fiancé received a scanned certified copy from the court and emailed to me then printed. The raised dry seal was visible. I guess they updated their policy or something. I hope they can do the same for all doc for "filing" purposes because its cost effective. Hehehe.

[Edward and Jaycel 1,095]

8 minutes ago, maryaaaa said:

 

My fiancé received a scanned certified copy from the court and emailed to me then printed. The raised dry seal was visible. I guess they updated their policy or something. I hope they can do the same for all doc for "filing" purposes because its cost effective. Hehehe.

 

Was that for the Embassy?

[Sophie F 3]

Just to update, I have gone the route of getting apostille certified copies in the mail.

 

I was very lucky to get in contact with a manager of the issuing authority who has gone out of his way to help get me what I need in a quick timeframe and avoid difficulties of posting documents back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean!

[maryaaaa 100]

1 hour ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Was that for the Embassy?

 

Initial filing of I-129F. The embassy didn't ask for it during my interview nor the I-134.

 

They ask about these at CFO. If petitioner has previous arrests, they ask for police clearance or any document equivalent proving the cases were expunged, dropped or closed. Most applicants submitted FBI rap sheet. I also called CFO to clarify this and was told it depends upon the counselor if they will ask or not. Most of them do though based on recent filer's experiences. 

 

It actually almost seems that CFO is much strict than USCIS and embassy after the case of the Filipina unalive by her husband in Slovania. 

Edited March 12 by maryaaaa

[Edward and Jaycel 1,095]

2 minutes ago, maryaaaa said:

 

Initial filing of I-129F. The embassy didn't ask for it during my interview nor the I-134.

 

They ask about these at CFO. If petitioner has previous arrests, they ask for police clearance or any document equivalent proving the cases were expunged, dropped or closed. Most applicants submitted FBI rap sheet. I also called CFO to clarify this and was told it depends upon the counselor if they will ask or not. Most of them do though based on recent filer's experiences. 

 

It actually almost seems that CFO is much strict than USCIS and embassy after the case of Filipina unalive by her husband in Slovania. 

 

Yes I saw that story  And it does seem that they are asking for it a lot more now. 

[maryaaaa 100]

Just now, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

Yes I saw that story  And it does seem that they are asking for it a lot more now. 

 

It was really sad.

 

So yes, CFO and the police clearance is one of the hottest topics nowadays along with the interview availability and a month or so delay of visa issuance (due to interview completed while waiting for sputum results).

 

Although I have the court docs, I would still ask my fiancé to get that FBI rap sheet for $50 😪 and avoid further delays. Can't afford to have more delays after the DOT experience lol 

[Edward and Jaycel 1,095]

5 minutes ago, maryaaaa said:

Although I have the court docs, I would still ask my fiancé to get that FBI rap sheet for $50 😪 and avoid further delays. Can't afford to have more delays after the DOT experience lol 

 

Agreed 1000%... always do everything in your power to avoid delays, denials, RFEs, etc.  

[Ryan H 3,849]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.