Apply for AOS..Need the certified copy OR just photocopy of certified copy of Marriage certificate

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pp_uu_ii

Registered Users (C)
I'm applying for AOS based on marriage to US citizen. Together with I-130, should i submit the real certified copy of Marriage certificate or just the photocopy of the certified copy? Also, same question for the translation of my foriegn birth certificate for form I-485 (submit the original translation or just the photocopy of it).

In the instruction, they said don't send the original if not instructed to do so, but in case of the certified copy and the translation, i'm not sure about it. Thank you for your help.
 
pp_uu_ii said:
I'm applying for AOS based on marriage to US citizen. Together with I-130, should i submit the real certified copy of Marriage certificate or just the photocopy of the certified copy? Also, same question for the translation of my foriegn birth certificate for form I-485 (submit the original translation or just the photocopy of it).

In the instruction, they said don't send the original if not instructed to do so, but in case of the certified copy and the translation, i'm not sure about it. Thank you for your help.
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I sent the certified copy from the issuing county. Looks like it works both ways.
 
If you want to keep the original translation then send a certified copy of it.
Otherwise send the original.

When they say don't send original documents they are usually referring to things like passports, marriage certificates etc. Things that are hard to replace if they get lost.
 
BornintheRSA said:
If you want to keep the original translation then send a certified copy of it.
Otherwise send the original.

When they say don't send original documents they are usually referring to things like passports, marriage certificates etc. Things that are hard to replace if they get lost.
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Thank you ! I think i might have send the original translation because i don't know how to do the certified copy for my translation.
 
sarbonna said:
Does anyone know about divorce papers ? just photocopy or certified copy?
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There is no need to notarize or certified copy of any document for immigration purpose except the disposition of criminal case. However, it's always best to have a certified copy of everything, including divorce decrees...not only for immigration purpose but also for any other purpose. Why? Because photocopy of a document doesn't say that it's the actual copy, but once it's certified then it becomes an official and true copy. However, be aware that to have a certified copy does cost money, but the good thing is one needs to certify documents once and then just make photocopy of those certified copy to send to anywhere whenever those documents needed.

Again, having a certified copy is not required for immigration except criminal record, but it's a good idea to have a certified copies of all the important documents for future need for another purpose.

Good luck
 
JohnnyCash said:
There is no need to notarize or certified copy of any document for immigration purpose except the disposition of criminal case. However, it's always best to have a certified copy of everything, including divorce decrees...not only for immigration purpose but also for any other purpose. Why? Because photocopy of a document doesn't say that it's the actual copy, but once it's certified then it becomes an official and true copy. However, be aware that to have a certified copy does cost money, but the good thing is one needs to certify documents once and then just make photocopy of those certified copy to send to anywhere whenever those documents needed.

Again, having a certified copy is not required for immigration except criminal record, but it's a good idea to have a certified copies of all the important documents for future need for another purpose.

Good luck
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That's very useful. Thank you.
 
My husband's divorce papers were the only thing that I did not get certified.
Luckily my friend is a notary so I didn't have to pay for anything to get certified or notarized.
 
BornintheRSA said:
My husband's divorce papers were the only thing that I did not get certified.
Luckily my friend is a notary so I didn't have to pay for anything to get certified or notarized.
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A certified copy and a notaried copy are NOT the same. So don't be confused with these two terms. A notarized copy is signed by any notary who only attest to the fact that the copy is the true photocopy of the document. That's all. A notary can notarize any documents (and signature) after seeing the true/actual copy of the document (or after seeing the true signature of the person). On the other hand, a certified copy is certified and given only the authority that issued that specific document...for example, in order to have a certified copy for a divorce decree then only the same court, that granted/heard that particular divorce case, can issue a certified copy of the divorce case. Similarly, in order to get certified copies of tax returns, only IRS can provide certified copies for tax returns. In order to get a certified copy of marriage certificate, one need to contact the same city registar where marriage took place.

A certified copy contains a seal/stamp with signature of the authority that issued the original document. A marriage bureau cannot certify tax records or anything else; rather only the marriage certificate that they have ever issued.
USCIS used to require submitting of notarized copies of everything 13 years or before, but not anymore. However, they do require certified copy of everything when there is a criminal matter involved.

Anyone can get anything notarized free of charge by going to their bank as banks always have a notary and they don't charge anything to their customers. On the other hand, certified copies cost money...from $2-$8 except tax returns as they cost a bit more.
 
JohnnyCash said:
A certified copy and a notaried copy are NOT the same. So don't be confused with these two terms. A notarized copy is signed by any notary who only attest to the fact that the copy is the true photocopy of the document. That's all. A notary can notarize any documents (and signature) after seeing the true/actual copy of the document (or after seeing the true signature of the person). On the other hand, a certified copy is certified and given only the authority that issued that specific document...for example, in order to have a certified copy for a divorce decree then only the same court, that granted/heard that particular divorce case, can issue a certified copy of the divorce case. Similarly, in order to get certified copies of tax returns, only IRS can provide certified copies for tax returns. In order to get a certified copy of marriage certificate, one need to contact the same city registar where marriage took place.

A certified copy contains a seal/stamp with signature of the authority that issued the original document. A marriage bureau cannot certify tax records or anything else; rather only the marriage certificate that they have ever issued.
USCIS used to require submitting of notarized copies of everything 13 years or before, but not anymore. However, they do require certified copy of everything when there is a criminal matter involved.

Anyone can get anything notarized free of charge by going to their bank as banks always have a notary and they don't charge anything to their customers. On the other hand, certified copies cost money...from $2-$8 except tax returns as they cost a bit more.
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This is very useful for us. Thanks a lot.
 
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