RFE for Marriage Certificate?? (INDIA)

[Tenzy 8]

Hey guys,

So I filed my I-130 for my hubby in march. I submitted all the documents that they listed on their instruction list. I just received an RFE that stated:

"You must submit a photocopy of the original foreign language MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE AND a new full English Translation of that document. This must be a complete translation of the original documents in its entirety. Extract or summary transaction of the original document are not acceptable. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language to English"

Now, the problem is, I have what is called a FORM "B" Register of Marriage Under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The certificate is drafted in English so I naturally thought that I have to send in the photocopies of that Marriage Certificate. I don't know what to do anymore. At this point, should I just hire a lawyer (actually I work near a law office & they have offered to help me with some discounts) or Shall I just go ahead & reply to that RFE myself. If so, How should I go with that?

Any help or input would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Tenzy

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[pennboy1989 0]

Have you gotten a response from them regarding your RFE as of yet? Did your status update upon them receiving your RFE?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Have you read this?

Marriage Certificates

Available. The Hindu and Muslim communities do not usually register marriages, however, marriages by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs may be voluntarily registered under the Hindu Marriage Act of l955. This Act does not apply to Muslims, Parsis, Jews or Christians, who may register their marriages under the Special Marriage Act of l954, or the Christian Marriage Act. Marriage certificates for marriages registered under these Acts may be obtained from the offices of Government Registrar of Marriages, which are located in the headquarters of each district. The certificate will be issued by the Registrar only if the bride and groom personally appear before the official and pay the required fee.

A certificate of marriage between Muslims is usually issued by the priest who performed the ceremony. The document is in the Urdu language, and a certified translation is required. Marriages between Christians are usually obtainable from Church records. If the marriage has not been officially registered, then two sworn affidavits giving the names, dates and places of birth of the bride and groom, and the date and place of marriage, as well as the names of the parents of both parties are acceptable. The affidavits must be executed by one of the parents of each party, or if the parents are deceased, by the nearest relative of each party who was present at the wedding.

Note: A document termed as "Marriage Agreement" or "Deed of Marriage" to live as man and wife (under the Registration Act of l908) is not confirmation of a marriage solemnized legally under the Indian Marriage Acts now in force. Such a document does not confer upon the contracting parties' legal marital status under the law.

Same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in India.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/IN.html#docs

[Tenzy 8]

Have you read this?

Marriage Certificates

Available. The Hindu and Muslim communities do not usually register marriages, however, marriages by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs may be voluntarily registered under the Hindu Marriage Act of l955. This Act does not apply to Muslims, Parsis, Jews or Christians, who may register their marriages under the Special Marriage Act of l954, or the Christian Marriage Act. Marriage certificates for marriages registered under these Acts may be obtained from the offices of Government Registrar of Marriages, which are located in the headquarters of each district. The certificate will be issued by the Registrar only if the bride and groom personally appear before the official and pay the required fee.

A certificate of marriage between Muslims is usually issued by the priest who performed the ceremony. The document is in the Urdu language, and a certified translation is required. Marriages between Christians are usually obtainable from Church records. If the marriage has not been officially registered, then two sworn affidavits giving the names, dates and places of birth of the bride and groom, and the date and place of marriage, as well as the names of the parents of both parties are acceptable. The affidavits must be executed by one of the parents of each party, or if the parents are deceased, by the nearest relative of each party who was present at the wedding.

Note: A document termed as "Marriage Agreement" or "Deed of Marriage" to live as man and wife (under the Registration Act of l908) is not confirmation of a marriage solemnized legally under the Indian Marriage Acts now in force. Such a document does not confer upon the contracting parties' legal marital status under the law.

Same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in India.

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/reciprocity-by-country/IN.html#docs

Yes, my MC (marriage certificate) was issued by the Registrar under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 (I'm buddhist btw). However, my MC was registered in the capital city (Delhi) & issued to me in English. Therefore, I thought I need to submit a copy of that in I-130 stage & at NVC, I would submit the original. They sent me RFE stating I need to submit original copies & along with translated MC in English. I wrote them a letter explaining, my marriage certificate was drafted in English Language & the copy I'm submitting is the original. I even got it notarized. I'm waiting for their response.