Personal affidavits: Did anyone NOT have these notarized?

[CupcakeGirl 5]

Did anyone include personal affidavits/testimonials re: your marriage that were NOT notarized? And if so, was your application approved or did they send you a RFE? I didn't see anything in the directions on for the I-751 form that stated they needed to be notarized. I provided a template to everyone who wrote a letter on our behalf, including the oath at the bottom about swearing the information is true and correct, etc. - but sent them as is, without having each person get them notarized. Hoping that was ok.

Seriously, I would have rather hosted someone from USCIS at my house for a couple of weeknights to live with my hubby, my kids and I to prove that we're the real deal, lol. It would have been a heck of a lot easier and less costly!

[charmander 692]

I didn't have them notarized and didn't get any RFE. I guess they are not called affidavits unless they are notarized but I didn't know the difference when I sent my application. People who wrote those letters for us included their mailing addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses at the bottom of the letters in case USCIS wanted to contact them. They are secondary evidences anyways, if they sent you RFE they might pick on them not being notarized but don't worry too much at this point.

 

[JoannaV 173]

I didn't send any affidavits with our I-751, however way back when we filed our I-130 our ONLY evidence was a random boat insurance policy and three short affidavits. Those affidavits were not notarized and that was not a problem.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Didn't send any affidavits and was approved with no RFEs. They're not required unless you have really little other evidence.

[NikLR 13,220]

We sent a letter from a friend and it wasnt notarized. 

[bolin786 21]

You do not need them to be notarized.  I think that questions is answered clearly on the preparation instructions.

bolin786

[TBoneTX 43,038]

Notaries Public notarize signatures on documents (including letters and affidavits), NOT the document itself.  The point is to verify that the signer is who he or she claims to be.  In fact, except for a quick check to ensure that there are no unfilled blank lines and no missing pages, notaries aren't even supposed to read the content of documents.

[NikLR 13,220]

Tbone is correct, while a notary may ask if the information is correct, they aren't doing anything more than verifying they watched you sign and you provided ID to verify your identity.  It doesnt make the items within any more or less credible or true. 

 

Where I am from a notary is generally a lawyer so its more of a sworn statement, but here in the USA, a notary can be found at the local UPS store. 

Edited January 10, 2017 by NikLR

[CupcakeGirl 5]

Thanks all! I know all about notaries and the purpose of having documents notarized - I just read a few conflicting things on here regarding the personal affidavits. I think that it is in fact the word "affidavit" that is throwing some petitioners off, thinking they must be notarized. It sounds like USCIS is merely asking for letters of recommendation from people with eyewitness accounts of the couple's valid marriage.

 

Appreciate your input!

[TBoneTX 43,038]

Good luck!

[lilsweetie 30]

I sent 3 affidavits for the I130 and 3 for the I-751 and none of them were notarized. No RFE's - entire process was super smooth!