AOS Documents

[ryna 132]

We just received our certified marriage certificate in the mail today.

Can the certificate we send with the AOS packet be a copy of the certified marriage certificate that we received today or do we need to get another copy directly from the Clerk of the Court with the (original) stamp? (It isn't an impression-type seal in this county.)

I don't want to send an original if we don't need to since we've already been burned by the embassy keeping the only certified copy of her birth certificate that she had. We had thought it would be returned at POE when they opened the envelope, but it wasn't. Luckily, three new certified copies are on their way this Thursday so we won't be delayed by that.

Also, we just noticed that her vaccination record is marked incomplete and that she may be eligible for a waiver. I guess this means that we're definitely seeing a Civil Surgeon before filing for AOS...

Any recommendations for an honest one in/near Orlando?

[jkelly07 120]

no, make cpoies send a copy, when you go a the interview take the orginal marriagecertificate,

[Inky 1,111]

Original documents are ONLY returned at the visa interview.

K-1 is NEVER required to give original documents, only photocopys, she should not have given the original birth certificate. She should have brought the original with a copy and gave them the copy to keep.

Colour photocopy of the Marriage certificate. If it is not in English it will need a translated document of it as well.

[ryna 132]

Copies it is then...

Truth is, they only received copies from us all along except at the interview and then they kept the originals. When they didn't return them that day, we assumed they'd be returned with the visa or at POE. Not a big deal now, but they only get copies from here on out and even when we take the original, we know to ask for it back BEFORE leaving the office/interview/etc...

thanks

[TBoneTX 45,498]

This is good justification (for others) to procure extra originals of key documents -- birth certificates, school transcripts, vaccination records -- before leaving their home country. Regarding the marriage certificate, we ordered 7 copies (!), 5 of which were used for various purposes. I ordered 3 birth certificates for my newborn son (well, Grandma wanted one).

[jkelly07 120]

there is a form G-884 that if you want your orginals back,on that form it ask what you need it has to be notorized before it is returned,but some times at the interview when your finished ask the io if you can please have the orginals back. i know how hard it is to get orginals and the time and money, that why you need to make copies,good luck,

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

This is good justification (for others) to procure extra originals of key documents -- birth certificates, school transcripts, vaccination records -- before leaving their home country. Regarding the marriage certificate, we ordered 7 copies (!), 5 of which were used for various purposes. I ordered 3 birth certificates for my newborn son (well, Grandma wanted one).

I could not agree more. If you never need the certified originals again you are out a few bucks and a little time. However, things happen and extra certified originals can be a life saver, time saver and headache saver. Also, don't forget you will want at least two "originals." Why? Keep one in your safe or safe deposit box and file the other with your local clerk of court. It is an often overlooked asset that taxpayers pay for. They will file the document and if you ever need a certified copy of it they can provide it.

Don't count on getting originals back either...my wife and I were told that the file must stay intact as is while others did get their originals back. We don't care...we have plenty of spares and are out at the most 50 bucks.

[TBoneTX 45,498]

While we're on the subject, the foreign beneficiary should renew his/her driver's license before coming to the U.S. (or, do everything possible to get one, before leaving). In most places, one can drive with virtue of a foreign license for a year (or less), and having that ability sure beats being stuck in the house until AOS is approved. Apologies for going off the track of the thread, but this is important stuff, si man.