RFE BEFORE NOA1?? Sounds weird to me

[CaMic 0]

my fiance got a letter today asking for a certified copy of his divorce papers - he just sent a photocopy that the girl at the court gave him - no case number or anything. He sent the I129-F on 10th November and we've never had an NAO1, not been given a case number, this is the first we heard. Is this normal? I figured this was an RFE but how can it be if we haven't been given a case number to go with it?

[kizza 1]

my fiance got a letter today asking for a certified copy of his divorce papers - he just sent a photocopy that the girl at the court gave him - no case number or anything. He sent the I129-F on 10th November and we've never had an NAO1, not been given a case number, this is the first we heard. Is this normal? I figured this was an RFE but how can it be if we haven't been given a case number to go with it?

was your cheque cashed?

Sounds to me like you just never got the case number and the NOA1 hard copy, but your case has been "opened".

Sometimes, people get their NOA1 months after sending their petition, and then get their approval or an RFE a week later.

If your cheque was cashed, you can find the case number on the back of it.

Once you get your case number, I would bet that if you logged on the USCIS website, it would say your petition was received in mid-November, which would be your NOA1 date.

Edited December 12, 2009 by kizza

[kizza 1]

Hmm, I just reread your post and might have answered a little fast. I see what you mean. Im surprised there would have been no case number with the request for more evidence.

Could yor fiance have missed the number?

[CaMic 0]

my fiance got a letter today asking for a certified copy of his divorce papers - he just sent a photocopy that the girl at the court gave him - no case number or anything. He sent the I129-F on 10th November and we've never had an NAO1, not been given a case number, this is the first we heard. Is this normal? I figured this was an RFE but how can it be if we haven't been given a case number to go with it?

was your cheque cashed?

Sounds to me like you just never got the case number and the NOA1 hard copy, but your case has been "opened".

Sometimes, people get their NOA1 months after sending their petition, and then get their approval or an RFE a week later.

If your cheque was cashed, you can find the case number on the back of it.

Once you get your case number, I would bet that if you logged on the USCIS website, it would say your petition was received in mid-November, which would be your NOA1 date.

My fiance sent a money order so we can't get a case number that way. He called on Monday and asked about our file but the woman refused to give him a case number and told him to call back Friday if he hadn't received anything in the post. He waited until well after 4pm Arkansas time for the postman yesterday and by then it was too late to call. Guess we need to wait until Monday but I wondered how they would tie together the case file and any new documents he sends if there is no case number on it.

[CaMic 0]

Hmm, I just reread your post and might have answered a little fast. I see what you mean. Im surprised there would have been no case number with the request for more evidence.

Could yor fiance have missed the number?

Hahaha, I replied too fast too. He seemed pretty sure there was no case number but I asked him to check the letter to make sure there was a specific person's name on it to return it to since there is no case number.

[kizza 1]

my fiance got a letter today asking for a certified copy of his divorce papers - he just sent a photocopy that the girl at the court gave him - no case number or anything. He sent the I129-F on 10th November and we've never had an NAO1, not been given a case number, this is the first we heard. Is this normal? I figured this was an RFE but how can it be if we haven't been given a case number to go with it?

was your cheque cashed?

Sounds to me like you just never got the case number and the NOA1 hard copy, but your case has been "opened".

Sometimes, people get their NOA1 months after sending their petition, and then get their approval or an RFE a week later.

If your cheque was cashed, you can find the case number on the back of it.

Once you get your case number, I would bet that if you logged on the USCIS website, it would say your petition was received in mid-November, which would be your NOA1 date.

My fiance sent a money order so we can't get a case number that way. He called on Monday and asked about our file but the woman refused to give him a case number and told him to call back Friday if he hadn't received anything in the post. He waited until well after 4pm Arkansas time for the postman yesterday and by then it was too late to call. Guess we need to wait until Monday but I wondered how they would tie together the case file and any new documents he sends if there is no case number on it.

Yes, I wonder if they can easily match the new evidence with the original file through his name only.

I dont know what RFEs look like. I wonder if they have any type of ID or reference number on them...

[kizza 1]

I would get the copies as requested and on Monday call and ask again for your case number, explaining that you got an RFE.

I think there might be instructions as to how to send additional evidence in response to an RFE (something to write on the enveloppe maybe).

You could search for that on VJ or ask when you call...

[CaMic 0]

the letter has a stamp in place of a signature - John Morton or Mortan, anyone dealt with him? They sent a pre-paid envelope to return it which has "ref. alb" written on it but I assume that is just a very small part of what our case number is going to be.

Off to search the forum for anything similar.

[kizza 1]

the letter has a stamp in place of a signature - John Morton or Mortan, anyone dealt with him? They sent a pre-paid envelope to return it which has "ref. alb" written on it but I assume that is just a very small part of what our case number is going to be.

Off to search the forum for anything similar.

your case number should start with EAC xxxxxxxxxx

13 digits in total without the dashes

[Lioncub4 4]

my fiance got a letter today asking for a certified copy of his divorce papers - he just sent a photocopy that the girl at the court gave him - no case number or anything. He sent the I129-F on 10th November and we've never had an NAO1, not been given a case number, this is the first we heard. Is this normal? I figured this was an RFE but how can it be if we haven't been given a case number to go with it?

Hi There!

We also got an RFE for a divorce decree from Scotland back in September. For some reason in Scotland, their divorce papers are only one page where in the states, they are severeal. My fiance's copy of the divorce decree did not say"finalized" anywhere on it so that's what they wanted. My fiance went to the courthouse and got not only a certified copy, but also the paper where it shows it extracted and a letter from the sherriff stating the divorce was finalized and filed and we sent all this back and we were approved. I have heard of people not receiving their NOA1 so maybe that is what happenned with you. Hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly.

[CaMic 0]

Thanks for that. I know I told my fiance to get a certified copy of his divorce certificate but he must have forgotten or assumed what the court gave him was the right thing and didnt question it. I've just been desperately waiting for the NOA1 for the last month to plug into my timelineand get an estimated approval date, lol. Not having a case number on the request scared me though - thinking that our NOA1 date isn't going to be until AFTER they get the certified divorce certificate and with christmas holidays so close we could end up being 6-8 weeks behind where we thought we were going to be in the process. It's been a bad week with false criminal allegations against my fiance n me losing out on a much needed job so I've been on edge n may be over-reacting. Didn't help that this came on a Saturday and we have to wait until Monday to find out/do anything. Hmmm, 2am in the UK, frayed nerves, time for bed, lol.

[CaMic 0]

Maybe it wasn't even a proper RFE that we got if there is no case number on it?

[Jonara 0]

Maybe it wasn't even a proper RFE that we got if there is no case number on it?

This really sounds strange. NO1 to me is just to acknowledge that they received the petition. Any missing docs would be determined between N01 and N02 stage/s. Divorce decrees come in all shapes and forms based on the state. Whether it's a one pager or multiple pages, they simply want it certified with a seal of some sort. You certainly need to have a case number in order to turn in additional paperwork they asked OR if your fiance has a copy of that letter, make a copy of that and attach it to the divorce decree when he/she sends it back.

[Otto 83]

Getting an RFE before getting a NOA1 may be uncommon, but it does happen - the system that sends out NOA's can be unreliable (it's automated). An RFE on the other hand is generated by an actual person reviewing the case.

The RFE notice should have the case/receipt number and/or A# (Alien Registration number) referenced on it. When responding to an RFE (and am not clear if your fiancé has already or not), you are supposed to include the actual RFE notice itself (keep a copy for your records) with any evidence they requested and to address the envelope a certain way (described on the notice).

[Guitarlo 2]

my fiance got a letter today asking for a certified copy of his divorce papers - he just sent a photocopy that the girl at the court gave him - no case number or anything. He sent the I129-F on 10th November and we've never had an NAO1, not been given a case number, this is the first we heard. Is this normal? I figured this was an RFE but how can it be if we haven't been given a case number to go with it?

In the I-129 directions, I believe it says "certified" copy of the divorce degree? I remember I mailed in a court sealed "certfied" copy. You may not have a case number yet because your application hasn't been processed to that level? In my opionion I would take that letter as an RFE and include it with a certified copy of the divorce papers. I'm surprised the court gave him something that wasn't certfied. Usually, that's standard procedure.

Good Luck.