RFE Divorce Decree

[Donnison2011 1]

Does anyone know how long or how hard it is to get a copy of a divorce decree from the UK signed by the judge?

Thank you!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Does anyone know how long or how hard it is to get a copy of a divorce decree from the UK signed by the judge?

Thank you!!

The UK divorce Decree Absolute is not normally signed by a judge. Did you have a copy of that letter from the court with a small red ink circle stamp? Sometimes USCIS doesn't realize that's what a UK divorce looks like.

[Donnison2011 1]

The UK divorce Decree Absolute is not normally signed by a judge. Did you have a copy of that letter from the court with a small red ink circle stamp? Sometimes USCIS doesn't realize that's what a UK divorce looks like.

That is exactly what I sent to them but it was a copy. Should I send in the original with a letter? How would I get proof that they are normally not signed?

Thank you so much for the response!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

That is exactly what I sent to them but it was a copy. Should I send in the original with a letter? How would I get proof that they are normally not signed?

Thank you so much for the response!!

Before applying, I had read that people were getting RFEs because they were not recognizing it as official. Here's what I sent and it was accepted with no RFE

• A color copy so the red seal shows up.
  
• Yellow highlighter over the sentence from "it is hereby certified that said decree...." and continuing to "...marriage was thereby dissolved."
  
• Highlight DATED:xxxxxxxx
  
• Yellow highlighter on the teeny, tiny print in the footer that says "Decree of Absolute (divorce)"
  

I would repond with a letter saying something like, I believe the request for evidence to be in error because divorce decrees in the United Kingdom are not signed by a judge, but rather stamped with the seal of the court. I am again submitting a copy of my [husband's/wife's] United Kingdom Decree Absolute which is stamped in red by the (name the court however it's written on the red seal). Then send a copy with the highlighting like I did to point it all out to them.

[Donnison2011 1]

Before applying, I had read that people were getting RFEs because they were not recognizing it as official. Here's what I sent and it was accepted with no RFE

• A color copy so the red seal shows up.
  
• Yellow highlighter over the sentence from "it is hereby certified that said decree...." and continuing to "...marriage was thereby dissolved."
  
• Highlight DATED:xxxxxxxx
  
• Yellow highlighter on the teeny, tiny print in the footer that says "Decree of Absolute (divorce)"
  

I would repond with a letter saying something like, I believe the request for evidence to be in error because divorce decrees in the United Kingdom are not signed by a judge, but rather stamped with the seal of the court. I am again submitting a copy of my [husband's/wife's] United Kingdom Decree Absolute which is stamped in red by the (name the court however it's written on the red seal). Then send a copy with the highlighting like I did to point it all out to them.

Thank you so so much for the advice. I will do exactly that and hopefully I will get my NOA2 soon after.

My goodness I would be lost with out this site and everyone who has helped me along the way.

I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

[Donnison2011 1]

Does it have to be a color copy? I have a b/w copy with me that I can highlight and send in, it also has the stamp on it.

Or should I wait a couple weeks until I can get the color one?

I don't want to rush but I would really like to get to the next step.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Does it have to be a color copy? I have a b/w copy with me that I can highlight and send in, it also has the stamp on it.

Or should I wait a couple weeks until I can get the color one?

I don't want to rush but I would really like to get to the next step.

I think color makes the red stamp from the court stand out and highly suggest that. I guess I don't understand why it would take two weeks to go down to Office Max or Kinkos or your friend's who has a scanner/color printer. ????

[Donnison2011 1]

I think color makes the red stamp from the court stand out and highly suggest that. I guess I don't understand why it would take two weeks to go down to Office Max or Kinkos or your friend's who has a scanner/color printer. ????

They only reason it would take a couple weeks is because my husband has the original and he is in the UK right now. I only have a b/w copy.

If I had the original you bet I would have went to Fed Ex and had them make me a color copy.

Sadly that is not the case.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

They only reason it would take a couple weeks is because my husband has the original and he is in the UK right now. I only have a b/w copy.

If I had the original you bet I would have went to Fed Ex and had them make me a color copy.

Sadly that is not the case.

Does he know anybody with a color scanner? Scan to file > email > you print on color printer.

[Donnison2011 1]

Does he know anybody with a color scanner? Scan to file > email > you print on color printer.

Wonderful idea and I am sure he does but my other problems is the fact that not only is he is the UK but working off shore on a rig until the end of July.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Wonderful idea and I am sure he does but my other problems is the fact that not only is he is the UK but working off shore on a rig until the end of July.

I know you don't want to wait, but this isn't an initial submission. This is an RFE and get it wrong and they might deny you. There's not usually a second chance. You submit a reply and if it's not enough to approve you, they deny. They can't approve until they know he is free to marry. That's why I would send an exact copy with that red stamp. They were wrong to RFE you but it's your job to do the best you can to point out your document is the only thing the UK issues. I think the red stamp is the key to the proof along with the footer saying Decree Absolute. The date highlighting just helps them find it easier. But you do what you want to do, because I'm just giving an opinion.

[Donnison2011 1]

I just wanted to update any one who went/or is going through the same RFE request as I did for the UK divorce decree.

I sent in a b/w copy of the divorce decree along with a letter stating the following:

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Please find enclosed certified divorce decree absolute, as collected from the ( PLACE OF DIVORCE, UK) where the divorce proceedings took place.

Having checked with the clerk, I was advised that in England divorce decree’s DO NOT carry a signature, and pointed out the stamp of Her Majesty Court Services to prove that it is certified and legal. It is a one page document. It has a stamp at the top right hand side with a crown symbol in the middle with the county court name.

The clerk also pointed out the paragraph which includes the statement “it is hereby certified that the said decree was on the (INSERT DATE ON THE DECREE), made final and absolute and that the said marriage was thereby dissolved”.

Please also see at the very bottom of the page, on the right hand side of the page the document is called a D37 DECREE OF ABSOLUTE (DIVORCE)

USCIS received my response on the 20th of July and on the 29th I received my NOA2.

I will admit I was worried about not sending a color copy but looks like I did just fine with the b/w.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way so far.

[gad33 47]

Having read the posts on here about RFEs for UK divorce certs, I was a little worried about mine. So just letting you know my experience. No problems at USCIS or NVC but they are just see copies (electronic processing in Canada.) I was worried what would happen at the consulate in Montreal as they can't see too many divorce certs from other countries. The first person who does the intake of paperwork was training someone so when she was looking at the divorce certs she explained to him that she looks out for the word absolute on the certificate. And that was it no question about the stamp, no signature, the state of the docs. (Over 20 years old.)

So if a consulate employee in Canada can accept them no question, then so can USCIS who will see a lot more of the same types of docs.

[trojam227 18]

I thought NVC wanted all Original Documents (or certified copies) and photocopies of each. A color photocopy might pass through as a certified copy, but if you don't send the original, I would bring it to interview just in case...last thing you need is for the visa to get held up for that. Just a thought.

Edited April 12, 2012 by trojam227

[gad33 47]

I thought NVC wanted all Original Documents (or certified copies) and photocopies of each. A color photocopy might pass through as a certified copy, but if you don't send the original, I would bring it to interview just in case...last thing you need is for the visa to get held up for that. Just a thought.

That's why I said it is electronic filing for Canada. It is the intake person at the consulate who sees all the original documents. So my point was that if an employee at a consulate who can't see many UK divorce certs doesn't have a problem, then educating USCIS, as recommended, is the way to go if others have problems.