Los Angeles Certified Marriage License

[Rumit 0]

Hi,

I got married a few days ago and want to file my application package but I need the certified copy of our marriage license which for the LA county apparently will take 6-8 weeks to process and stamp.

Can any fellow Los Angelesians confirm this?

Should I file my application with my copy which only has the officiants stamp or should I wait for the countys stamped copy?

Thanks!

[Oksana & Max 94]

You have to wait for certified copy. This is what the USCIS is asking for. I would not take any chances. 6-8 weeks will not play a big difference but could save you timing and money on RFE, etc...

[ITERtheway 1]

Hi,

I got married a few days ago and want to file my application package but I need the certified copy of our marriage license which for the LA county apparently will take 6-8 weeks to process and stamp.

Can any fellow Los Angelesians confirm this?

Should I file my application with my copy which only has the officiants stamp or should I wait for the countys stamped copy?

Thanks!

I agree with the other reply. I got married in Sep 2nd week in LA and waited till I got the original certificate. I think its worth waiting for the originals. Meanwhile, you can start preparing other application material.

Good luck

[Rumit 0]

Thanks for your responses, did it take 6-8 weeks for your guys licenses to arrive?

[hmh33 117]

Go to the office in person and ask. The website for the San Francisco office said it would take 2 weeks but I went there two days after getting married and they gave me a certified copy right away.

[Rumit 0]

Do you remember if they already had your marriage recorded when you went there or if they first recorded your marriage on the spot and then gave you a stamped certificate?

EDIT: my marriage is yet not recorded with the county

Edited January 23, 2013 by Rumit

[hmh33 117]

I'm not sure, sorry. If it's not a great inconvenience, it might be good to go in person anyway and explain that you need it for immigration purposes, they might be able to do something to speed it up. 6-8 weeks is a while.

[Rumit 0]

Copied from the I-130 instructions:

"1. A spouse, submit the following documentation:

A. A copy of your marriage certificate."

Copied from the I-485 instructions:

"...attach a copy of your marriage certificate..."

Actually, the certified part I have only read on VisaJourneys guide, the instructions do not mention it. Is it not safe to assume that a copy of our certificate which we received upon marriage, which is a proof of marriage, is enough for the petition? The title of the form says "License and Certificate of Marriage".

Am I missing out on something when reading these instructions?

[Villanelle 4,122]

making assumptions is never a good idea when it comes to immigration paperwork...

Different places have different procedures. I have no idea what the procedure is there or what your papers look like. I have no idea if your marriage was recorded yet or not. I have no idea if they will accept your current certificate or not or what the stamp on it looks like.

The basic procedure is- you get a license, whomever you go to performs the ceremony and signs and stamps it. It then needs to be recorded in the county records. Once it is an additional certificate can be obtained as proof that it was recorded. That is the certificate that USCIS wants to see. The one stating it was recorded. Some people are able to get proof that it was instantly recorded as the person marrying them is also able to instantly record it.

So does your certificate show where it is recorded in the records? If not its not going to be accepted.

[Rumit 0]

It is not recorded yet with the county, we married through a private officiant. It does not have the countys stamp on it. It has been filed to the county, what I have is a "customer copy" of the marriage certificate which has been filed to the county but not yet recorded. It has the officiants stamp on it who also acted as the notary and solemnized the marriage.

It has everything on it except for the signature and date for registration of the county clerk. Is it not considered a marriage certificate until it is recorded with the county? I mean it is recorded on this paper that I have and with the officiant / solemnizing person / notary

[Villanelle 4,122]

Yes. according to USCIS regulations you can sumbit a copy of your marriage certificate. But the copy of your certificate must be a copy showing its was recorded in public records.

"Note that 8 CFR 103.2(b)(4) . permits the submission of copies, rather than the original, of documents. This regulation does NOT mean that public records need not be certified."

All you have right now is proof the marriage occurred. Until it is registered in the county its like it never happened (so to speak). If it doesnt get registered properly- it didnt happen. it cant be certified. Its not documented. You need the registration. With out that, your current paper is meaningless.

[Rumit 0]

Thanks Capri! That really helped!

[whoknowswhat 0]

Unfortunately, it really does take a while. The certified copies took about 6 weeks to be ready, in Los Angeles. I called the Registrar's Office to keep track of when it became registered in the system. Once I was told that it's registered, I went to pick up a copy in person. I received the rest of the copies in the mail about 10 days later. (Because at the time of the wedding ceremony, I originally filled out the request for copies to be mailed out.)

[Rumit 0]

Thanks a lot, I will do the same!

[SIN2LAX 1]

Unfortunately, it really does take a while. The certified copies took about 6 weeks to be ready, in Los Angeles. I called the Registrar's Office to keep track of when it became registered in the system. Once I was told that it's registered, I went to pick up a copy in person. I received the rest of the copies in the mail about 10 days later. (Because at the time of the wedding ceremony, I originally filled out the request for copies to be mailed out.)

Hi, what is the number to the Registrar's Office?

Once the copy is picked up from the office, did you mail that copy with the Adjustment Of Status forms?

Thanks