Question about potential RFE. Can I send in Missing Document BEFORE I get the RFE? Pertains to DS-230.

[ShawnM 0]

Hello everyone,

My brother just received an RFE because he did not provide his original marriage certificate. The reason he did not send it in is because his marriage certificate is in a different language. Instead of sending in the original he sent in a certified translation of the original. He now has to send in the original untranslated version.

I made the same mistake as my brother. I sent in the certified translation of the original. I just sent in the DS-230 on Tuesday using over night mail. The NVC did not start processing my DS-230 yet.

My question is, can I send in the Original Marriage certificate now or do I have to wait for the RFE? The reason I am asking this is because I do not want to waste anytime waiting and want my case to complete as soon as possible. Also, is there a chance that my additional papers(Original marriage certificate) will get lost and never get matched up with the DS-230?

Does anyone have any experience with this or know what I can do?

Thanks in advance for any help with this issue.

[Wayne and Claudia 40]

I keep harping this but so many VJers keep posting the "directions." Always include originals/certified copies. Even when you get a translation, the first one costs x and the others are much cheaper. Get 10 (I did). My Claudia and I now have 5 certified copies of most everything but for anything in the future we are prepared. Now that I have finished my diatribe...You can send in originals but it's your choice. If you do make sure you include all the information and state that it is to be added to your file. Your file may stall but soon the "attachment" will catch up. Good luck

[ShawnM 0]

I called NVC and spoke to about 5 different Customer Service Reps and they all told me to just send in the Marriage Certificate and they will attach it to my original certificate to my petition as long as I have provided the barcoded document cover sheet. My main concern was that I did not want them to lose marriage certificate. They did not start to review my DS-230 yet but I guess I will just mail them the certificate before hand.I really hope that this does not slow down my process.

[Nica_In_Love 98]

I believe it's better to wait for the RFE to be issued. Sometimes it might take them longer to match up the document if you send it in before it's requested. I had an RFE for the passport photos, I waited for the e-mail with the RFE letter and then printed it and sent it with the photos. I understand how you feel, it's up to you if you want to give it a try at sending it. Just make sure to send in the bar coded sheet as well. Good luck!

[Darnell 8,478]

it's ok to send in anything else, as long as you have the barcoded coversheet, with some letter of explanation.

many times it works, sometimes not - depends on who's handling the mail that day.

you might want to wait for a checklist letter, instead (usually via email)

[pushbrk 12,110]

I believe it's better to wait for the RFE to be issued. Sometimes it might take them longer to match up the document if you send it in before it's requested. I had an RFE for the passport photos, I waited for the e-mail with the RFE letter and then printed it and sent it with the photos. I understand how you feel, it's up to you if you want to give it a try at sending it. Just make sure to send in the bar coded sheet as well. Good luck!

For USCIS, wait for the RFE. For NVC, go ahead and send it with the cover sheet. NVC is not USCIS. It WILL get put with your file in a timely manner.

[ShawnM 0]

It is with the NVC. I will send it in and I hope everything works out for the best. Thank you everyone for assisting me with this matter.

[Me and my wife 9]

It is with the NVC. I will send it in and I hope everything works out for the best. Thank you everyone for assisting me with this matter.

Hello I made a mistake regarding photos and will possibly get RFE. I sent 1.5 X 1.5 photos instead of 2 X 2. Did you wait for RFE or sent it to NVC. THanks in advance

[mugumogu 18]

As soon as I got my NOA1, I was researching what to do next and only then did I realize that I forgot to include a certified copy of my divorce to show that my previous marriage had ended. I knew that was a required document and it bothered me to just sit there waiting knowing that my petition was incomplete and that I would get an RFE. I wanted to see if there was anything I could do to avoid this. I called the USCIS (California Service Center) number on the NOA1 and spoke with a very nice representative. She said I could send in my divorce documentation with a brief letter explaining what happened and a copy of the NOA1. I wrote a letter apologizing for the mishap and asked nicely that they attach this to my original petition mailed earlier. I closed requesting that they provide some sort of confirmation when this is done and left my phone number. I mailed everything certified mail to the California Service Center address on the NOA1. I got confirmation back (the little green card) showing that they received it five days after I mailed it. After that, I didn't hear anything and knew that I would either get an RFE (indicating that the supplemental info. I mailed was not attached to the original petition package) or approval (meaning that it was). I was pleasantly surprised when I got notification that our I129-F petition was approved! No RFE. I had read a number of posts saying not to send anything in and to just wait for the RFE, but I figured I would give it a shot and I'm glad I did!

[Navyk 78]

Hello I made a mistake regarding photos and will possibly get RFE. I sent 1.5 X 1.5 photos instead of 2 X 2. Did you wait for RFE or sent it to NVC. THanks in advance

I hope you got your answer by now - just send those using the Cover Sheet with bar code.