picture instead of copy

[tonyg279 5]

Quick question, i just sent my I-129 package, for my divorce decree I took pictures of the certified original copy and printed it out in a color printer, will this be accepted? I mean instead of a copy a picture of the decree, printed out in color ??

[Scandi 3,970]

From what I understand they need the certified one, not a picture of it. Ours has both stamp and signature on it, I think that's what USCIS want.

We ordered two certified copies so we could send one with the i-129f packet and so I can have one with me to the interview in case asked for.

Edited May 29, 2016 by Scandi

[tonyg279 5]

thanks for your help, lets see if i get the infamous RFE or not then.

Edited May 29, 2016 by tonyg279

[Scandi 3,970]

thanks for your help, lets see if i get the infamous RFE or not then.

If you do then you already have the certified copy ready to send, so that's good.

[aaron2020 11,651]

You're filing for a K-1 fiancee, so you're filing the I-129f; not the I-129 which not for a fiancee.

For the I-129f, you file photocopies. Your picture that was printed out on regular paper is as good as a photocopy; there's no difference. After all, a photocopy is just a printout of a picture scan of the original document.

You do not need to file originals or certified copies with the I-129f.

Edited May 29, 2016 by aaron2020

[tonyg279 5]

got it, it was my thoughts exactly, and yes it is a I-129F

[Scandi 3,970]

People have been getting RFEs for not having the stamp on the divorce decree they sent in, so I hope for your sake that the stamp is visible on in, same with the signature from the judge.

The stamp on our divorce decree is of the "raised seal" kind with no colouring. So that can't just be copied, it wouldn't show.

[tonyg279 5]

It shows the certified court seal, and the judge's signature as well

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

People have been getting RFEs for not having the stamp on the divorce decree they sent in, so I hope for your sake that the stamp is visible on in, same with the signature from the judge.

The stamp on our divorce decree is of the "raised seal" kind with no colouring. So that can't just be copied, it wouldn't show.

Yes, it can be a copy. You send copies of everything with the I-129F. The instructions even state this. No need for original birth and naturalization certificates, or divorce decrees. A clear, legible photocopy is all that is required. You can take originals of those important documents to the K-1 visa interview, just in case the CO wants to see them.

Copies. Unless specifically required that an original document be filed with an application or petition, a legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not required may remain a part of the record, and will not be automatically returned to you.

[Scandi 3,970]

Yes, it can be a copy. You send copies of everything with the I-129F. The instructions even state this. No need for original birth and naturalization certificates, or divorce decrees. A clear, legible photocopy is all that is required. You can take originals of those important documents to the K-1 visa interview, just in case the CO wants to see them.

Copies. Unless specifically required that an original document be filed with an application or petition, a legible photocopy may be submitted. Original documents submitted when not required may remain a part of the record, and will not be automatically returned to you.

Yes, so they say, but at the same time you see people in the RFE K-1 thread saying the get RFEs for not sending a certified copy, only a photocopy. So even in this case it seems as if it depends on who'll look into your case. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bzoWOXOCsvHICvLEZt540eG2CkqEFaPV8MY18Q6E0f0/edit#gid=2061710905

I don't know how it works in other states but for us there was no reason not to send a certified copy - you just order as many as you need. No need to send a photocopy and take that chance. But to each his own, of course.

Edited May 30, 2016 by Scandi

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

You have links to any of the people getting an RFE for sending a legible copy of a correct and required divorce decree? I am not aware of them. Many people follow the instructions, provide copies, and are approved without an RFE.

[Scandi 3,970]

In the link I provided you can find those who got RFEs for not sending in a certified copy of the divorce decree.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Yes, so they say, but at the same time you see people in the RFE K-1 thread saying the get RFEs for not sending a certified copy, only a photocopy. So even in this case it seems as if it depends on who'll look into your case. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bzoWOXOCsvHICvLEZt540eG2CkqEFaPV8MY18Q6E0f0/edit#gid=2061710905

I don't know how it works in other states but for us there was no reason not to send a certified copy - you just order as many as you need. No need to send a photocopy and take that chance. But to each his own, of course.

When I searched "certified copy" in the Google doc, it came up with cases where the defects were for 1) missing pages, 2) lacking judge's signature, or 3) missing other divorce decrees. No one listed requiring a certified copy when a complete copy of the divorce decree was sent. A copy is fine. You are wrong on this.

Edited May 30, 2016 by aaron2020

[Scandi 3,970]

No. 22 and 26 in the list said to have gotten an RFE for not being certified copies. They might lie, impossible for me to know. Better to be safe than sorry.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

In the link I provided you can find those who got RFEs for not sending in a certified copy of the divorce decree.

I can find no RFEs for sending a copy of a required divorce decree in that list. There were RFEs for not sending divorce decree, not having judge's signature on the document, not having all pages, not having decrees for ALL past divorces, etc. None of those were for sending a copy of the correct document.