Violation to photocopy US naturalization certificate

S

sunshines

Registered Users (C)
I have a quick question. I am a son of a RECENT US citizen. My father had filed an I-130 on my behalf when he became a greencard holder. Now, couple of days ago, he became as USC and I want to change my category from F2B to F1 category (unmarried child of USC over 21).

The dilemma is that on his naturalization certificate, it states in bold RED letters that it's a violation to make a photocopy of this document. All action will be punished. He didn't apply for a passport when he went for an oath.

What should I do now? How can I change my category if i can't photocopy his naturalization certificate. How can I prove that my father is a US citizen?

Any ideas guys? All help will be greatly appreciated.
 
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Sunshine,

It is acceptable to make a copy of the naturalization certificate for immigration purposes. I know this from experience and you will be fine. You petition is going to take many many years to be approved, because u are over 21 and you will need to remain unmarried till it is approve or risk it being denied once you find a special person to spend the 50% of your time with (divorce rates!!!). Your dad can apply for a US passport, they require original naturalization certificate, no copies accepted for the purpose of procuring a passport. However, copies are fine for other immigration purposes. Don't worry about this issue at all..
 
Al Southner said:
You petition is going to take many many years to be approved, because u are over 21 and you will need to remain unmarried till it is approve or risk it being denied once you find a special person to spend the 50% of your time with (divorce rates!!!).
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Nonsense. If he marries he simply moves to FB3.
 
RealCanadian: What do you think? can i make a photocopy of his naturalization certificate without breaking any laws?
 
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and guys my PD is Sept 2004 in F2B category. If i am not mistaken, then if i convert my category from F2B to F1, wouldn't I retain the same priority date?

Please clarify if i am mistaken?
 
Yes to both. You can make a photocopy for immigration purposes, and for your own personal backup, and you will retain the same priority date upon switching from F2B to F1 to F3 if the only reason for the switch is your father changing from LPR to citizen or you changing from unmarried to married (i.e. no new I-130 is filed).
 
Jackolantern: I apologize for challenging your statement about F3 category. I don't think you can retain the same priority date or same I-130 for that matter if you are married. I think if you're F2B (unmarried child of an LPR) and then get married, your I-130 is voided. You must file another I-130 and therefore will be given a new priority date. Please correct me if i am wrong.

However, if you stay unmarried and your parents become US citizen, then you can jump from F2B to F1, as you stated.

Thanks for your reply. But, pls correct me if i am wrong about the prior statement.
 
OP, if you get married before your father becomes a US citizen, I-130 is voided - but that's not a possibility since your father is already a USC. At this time, your dad just sends a letter to USCIS requesting the preference category change. He will need to include a copy of his Nat Cert (or US PP, if he has it) AND the I-130 receipt.

Copying of Nat Cert is fine - in fact, many USCIS forms list "copy of Nat Cert" as initial evidence. It's funny but if you ever apply for a replacement Nat Cert in case the original is lost/damaged, USCIS asks for a copy to be included with the application.
 
sunshines said:
Jackolantern: I apologize for challenging your statement about F3 category. I don't think you can retain the same priority date or same I-130 for that matter if you are married. I think if you're F2B (unmarried child of an LPR) and then get married, your I-130 is voided.
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Yes, because the instant you marry, there is no longer a preference category for which you are eligible. However, if you are the child of a US citizen, then you instantly jump from FB1 to FB3, and the petition isn't voided.
 
sunshines said:
Jackolantern: I apologize for challenging your statement about F3 category. I don't think you can retain the same priority date or same I-130 for that matter if you are married. I think if you're F2B (unmarried child of an LPR) and then get married, your I-130 is voided. You must file another I-130 and therefore will be given a new priority date. Please correct me if i am wrong.
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Note that I mentioned F2B to F1 to F3. Not directly F2B -> F3.

You can go from F2B to F1 as a result of your parent becoming a USC, and then from F1 to F3 as a result of getting married after your parent's naturalization, all while retaining your priority date, and without a new I-130. But you cannot go directly from F2B to F3 based on the same I-130.
 
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Really..WOW!!! you learn something new everyday.

I didn't know that. Thanks for clarification. So if i get married today, i would still retain the same priority date of my previous I-130. Interesting!!!!.

Not that i am thinking about getting married anytime soon. But interesting to know.

Thanks
 
OP, yes you will keep the same priority date + the original petition would also stay valid. However, take a look at the visa bulletin - for F3, the wait time is nearly 3 years longer than F1.
 
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