certified copy of marriage license?

[Major Kuma 0]

the instructions on I-485 package preparation list "certified copy of marriage license" as one of the required items. But when I went to my bank today, the lady who works there told me that she could not do a "certified" copy, but could only "notarize" it.

Are they the same thing? If not, do I have to have it certified? Where can I get it certified? thanks.

[pushbrk 13,611]

the instructions on I-485 package preparation list "certified copy of marriage license" as one of the required items. But when I went to my bank today, the lady who works there told me that she could not do a "certified" copy, but could only "notarize" it.

Are they the same thing? If not, do I have to have it certified? Where can I get it certified? thanks.

No. Get a certified copy from the County Clerk, then simply photocopy the certified copy, mail the photocopy and take the original certified copy to any AOS interview. Does what you have already beart the county clerk's seal and signature? If so, just photocopy that.

Edited February 5, 2009 by pushbrk

[payxibka 10,048]

the instructions on I-485 package preparation list "certified copy of marriage license" as one of the required items. But when I went to my bank today, the lady who works there told me that she could not do a "certified" copy, but could only "notarize" it.

Are they the same thing? If not, do I have to have it certified? Where can I get it certified? thanks.

It should have come "certified" from the governmental agency in your locale who registers marriages... If that is not what you have go back to that agency and get one (or two)

[Major Kuma 0]

Thanks pushbrk and payxibka. Yeah, the original one already has the seal from the county's clerk, but I have the notary lady copied it and put her stamp on it as well. The original seal was a sticker with a shiny surface, so it didn't copy well (just a blob of ink with some lighter parts).

[pushbrk 13,611]

Thanks pushbrk and payxibka. Yeah, the original one already has the seal from the county's clerk, but I have the notary lady copied it and put her stamp on it as well. The original seal was a sticker with a shiny surface, so it didn't copy well (just a blob of ink with some lighter parts).

I'd get a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the county clerk as already advised. Notarizing is of no use for this purpose.

[Major Kuma 0]

Thanks pushbrk and payxibka. Yeah, the original one already has the seal from the county's clerk, but I have the notary lady copied it and put her stamp on it as well. The original seal was a sticker with a shiny surface, so it didn't copy well (just a blob of ink with some lighter parts).

I'd get a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the county clerk as already advised. Notarizing is of no use for this purpose.

so you mean an original certified copy of the marriage license, not a photocopy?

[payxibka 10,048]

Thanks pushbrk and payxibka. Yeah, the original one already has the seal from the county's clerk, but I have the notary lady copied it and put her stamp on it as well. The original seal was a sticker with a shiny surface, so it didn't copy well (just a blob of ink with some lighter parts).

I'd get a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the county clerk as already advised. Notarizing is of no use for this purpose.

so you mean an original certified copy of the marriage license, not a photocopy?

no a regular photocopy of the "certified" document is all that the USCIS requires

[pushbrk 13,611]

Thanks pushbrk and payxibka. Yeah, the original one already has the seal from the county's clerk, but I have the notary lady copied it and put her stamp on it as well. The original seal was a sticker with a shiny surface, so it didn't copy well (just a blob of ink with some lighter parts).

I'd get a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the county clerk as already advised. Notarizing is of no use for this purpose.

so you mean an original certified copy of the marriage license, not a photocopy?

no a regular photocopy of the "certified" document is all that the USCIS requires

The devil is in the details on these issues. I can't tell whether the paper in hand is sufficient to photocopy but I know that if they go get a certified copy from the county clerk, a photocopy of it will do. Some gold foil seals are not actual indications the marriage is registered and on record with the County Clerk. If the OP is absolutely certain his paper indicates the registration, fine. Otherwise get a certified copy.

[bassagitator 1]

Thanks pushbrk and payxibka. Yeah, the original one already has the seal from the county's clerk, but I have the notary lady copied it and put her stamp on it as well. The original seal was a sticker with a shiny surface, so it didn't copy well (just a blob of ink with some lighter parts).

I'd get a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the county clerk as already advised. Notarizing is of no use for this purpose.

so you mean an original certified copy of the marriage license, not a photocopy?

no a regular photocopy of the "certified" document is all that the USCIS requires

The devil is in the details on these issues. I can't tell whether the paper in hand is sufficient to photocopy but I know that if they go get a certified copy from the county clerk, a photocopy of it will do. Some gold foil seals are not actual indications the marriage is registered and on record with the County Clerk. If the OP is absolutely certain his paper indicates the registration, fine. Otherwise get a certified copy.

And it has to be certified by the CLERK OF COURTS, and noone else. Otherwise INS will not accept it.

[SterlingGirl 1]

I think the difference between the marriage license you received right after you got married, and a certified copy of a marriage certificate, is that your marriage license comes with a detachable portion at the bottom for the person who presided over the civil/religious ceremony to sign. So more or less, HE has signed off on it, but that copy is not acknowledged by your county as having been officiated. When the person who performed the ceremony sends in the detachable portion, they then process that and make a certified record that both parties have officially been joined in marriage. Up until that point, for all they know, you've simply applied for the license and received it, but have not yet actually been married.

It's almost like a tax transcript; any schmoe can fill out a 1040 and sign it, and that wouldn't necessarily prove anything about your income on a certain year. The TRANSCRIPT is what proves the IRS received it and accepted it as complete and accurate. That's what a certified copy of a marriage certificate is. It (in my experience) wasn't the fancy thing with the gold seal; it's just a county document that has been notarized by the county clerk.

[Yasi 0]

That's what we did... sent a copy of the certified copy from the County Clerk and when we went to the interview, we took the original, which she didn't even look at just asked the date we were married.

good luck

the instructions on I-485 package preparation list "certified copy of marriage license" as one of the required items. But when I went to my bank today, the lady who works there told me that she could not do a "certified" copy, but could only "notarize" it.

Are they the same thing? If not, do I have to have it certified? Where can I get it certified? thanks.

No. Get a certified copy from the County Clerk, then simply photocopy the certified copy, mail the photocopy and take the original certified copy to any AOS interview. Does what you have already beart the county clerk's seal and signature? If so, just photocopy that.

[Major Kuma 0]

thanks for all the information. I am just looking at our marriage license as I am typing this reply.

It is titled "certified marriage license" and has the signature of our county clerk. The shiny-foil sticker I was referring to earlier turns out to be the county circuit court seal (a golden sticker nontheless). so I guess a xerox copy of this document IS what I need...

[phoenixwine22 0]

just adding my two cents...

Our California marriage certification (I don't know where you were married) says on the top

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

CERTIFICATION OF VITAL RECORDS

County of Whatever

'License and Certificate of Marriage'

I can only speak from my personal experience. We had our interview today, and even though I had made copies of this certificate, the officer wanted the ORIGINAL.

I think the original you have in front of you will do.

Good luck submitting your paperwork!

[pushbrk 13,611]

thanks for all the information. I am just looking at our marriage license as I am typing this reply.

It is titled "certified marriage license" and has the signature of our county clerk. The shiny-foil sticker I was referring to earlier turns out to be the county circuit court seal (a golden sticker nontheless). so I guess a xerox copy of this document IS what I need...

A marriage license is not a marriage certificate. In some States the original license and the marriage certificate the bride, groom and officiator sign is on the same page. However, the "marriage certificate" needed for the AOS filing would be something you obtain after the marriage is duly recorded by the county clerk and will attest to the fact the marriage both took place and was registered, not simply that the couple was granted a license to do so. Devil in the details. License doesn't mean you're married, just that you can be, just like a plane ticket doesn't mean you went anywhere but a boarding pass, particularly coming and going, does.

So, is this just a license or a marriage certificate? Did you get it from the County Clerk after the marriage took place?

[Major Kuma 0]

thanks for all the information. I am just looking at our marriage license as I am typing this reply.

It is titled "certified marriage license" and has the signature of our county clerk. The shiny-foil sticker I was referring to earlier turns out to be the county circuit court seal (a golden sticker nontheless). so I guess a xerox copy of this document IS what I need...

A marriage license is not a marriage certificate. In some States the original license and the marriage certificate the bride, groom and officiator sign is on the same page. However, the "marriage certificate" needed for the AOS filing would be something you obtain after the marriage is duly recorded by the county clerk and will attest to the fact the marriage both took place and was registered, not simply that the couple was granted a license to do so. Devil in the details. License doesn't mean you're married, just that you can be, just like a plane ticket doesn't mean you went anywhere but a boarding pass, particularly coming and going, does.

So, is this just a license or a marriage certificate? Did you get it from the County Clerk after the marriage took place?

pushbrk, you are a life saver! Thank you for making it clear what a marriage certificate is - I just called our county clerk, and as it turned out, I need to go there and pick it up.

Our county is weird. when we applied for a marriage license, they gave us some paper, and a marriage license form without clerk's signature or the seal. After we got married, they put the signature and the seal on that form, and a nice for-show marriage something (dont recall the exact title, but do remember the lady telling us it was only for show, not a legal document) in a leather binder. never received the certificate. so glad I asked. thanks again for the details, pushbrk!