Urgent help requested with I-130/I-485 application process: Are original documents needed?

[Wildstar 2]

I recently got married to my wife (Thai national - student living in US) in the US, and am currently rushing through the process of filing the I-130 and I-485 applications to adjust her status because her visa will expire very soon. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone might be able to provide on the following topics to expedite this process:

1) Can someone please clarify whether original, certified documents of birth and divorce certificates are necessary for the I-130 and I-485 applications, or if photocopies are sufficient?

I have seen a few threads about the topic here, but the situation is still not clear to me. I saw some people say photocopies are OK for USCIS but certified copies are needed for NVC, but I'm afraid I don't understand what that means in terms of stages of the application process. When I am making my initial submission of the I-130 and I-485, do I need certified copies? If I don't need them now but later, when would I need them? (at the interview?)

Getting her birth certificate from Thailand is a pain but not too bad, but getting an original copy of my Japanese divorce certificate (I was divorced in Japan) would be very difficult from the US (especially since time is limited and I don't have any contacts in Japan at this time). I'm hoping I can get away with a photocopy of the divorce certificate.

2) Also, both the Thai birth certificate and Japanese divorce certificates need to be translated. Does anyone have any recommendations for fast, cheap certified translation services in the U.S.?(I'm in the Washington DC area, but I guess there are online translation services)

Thanks very much to anyone who can help!

[Ning 619]

I recently got married to my wife (Thai national - student living in US) in the US, and am currently rushing through the process of filing the I-130 and I-485 applications to adjust her status because her visa will expire very soon. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone might be able to provide on the following topics to expedite this process:

1) Can someone please clarify whether original, certified documents of birth and divorce certificates are necessary for the I-130 and I-485 applications, or if photocopies are sufficient?

I have seen a few threads about the topic here, but the situation is still not clear to me. I saw some people say photocopies are OK for USCIS but certified copies are needed for NVC, but I'm afraid I don't understand what that means in terms of stages of the application process. When I am making my initial submission of the I-130 and I-485, do I need certified copies? If I don't need them now but later, when would I need them? (at the interview?)

Getting her birth certificate from Thailand is a pain but not too bad, but getting an original copy of my Japanese divorce certificate (I was divorced in Japan) would be very difficult from the US (especially since time is limited and I don't have any contacts in Japan at this time). I'm hoping I can get away with a photocopy of the divorce certificate.

2) Also, both the Thai birth certificate and Japanese divorce certificates need to be translated. Does anyone have any recommendations for fast, cheap certified translation services in the U.S.?(I'm in the Washington DC area, but I guess there are online translation services)

Thanks very much to anyone who can help!

The guides here on V J are the best way to gather the info you need. Also see he forums to find info on doing AOS from student visa.

She will need her B Cert. You will need a copy of your Japanese divorce doc that is certified & indicates the divorce was final.

Translations can be done by anyone fluent in both languages. Type translations in the search block above to see an example of the format that has been used many times. You will see what is meant by certification.

[jkelly07 120]

photo copies of originals are accepted,but need originals if they are ask for,you can call in your area university to translate your japanese divorce,

[amykathleen2005 441]

Please don't hurry, the overstay will be forgiven because she is married to you. That is only a problem if she would have entered on VWP. If it were me I would slow down and take my time to make sure everything is done correctly the first time. Look it over several times to make sure everything is signed (sounds silly, but there are tons of RFE's given for no sig), etc.

Good luck!

[pushbrk 12,979]

I recently got married to my wife (Thai national - student living in US) in the US, and am currently rushing through the process of filing the I-130 and I-485 applications to adjust her status because her visa will expire very soon. I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone might be able to provide on the following topics to expedite this process:

1) Can someone please clarify whether original, certified documents of birth and divorce certificates are necessary for the I-130 and I-485 applications, or if photocopies are sufficient?

I have seen a few threads about the topic here, but the situation is still not clear to me. I saw some people say photocopies are OK for USCIS but certified copies are needed for NVC, but I'm afraid I don't understand what that means in terms of stages of the application process. When I am making my initial submission of the I-130 and I-485, do I need certified copies? If I don't need them now but later, when would I need them? (at the interview?)

Getting her birth certificate from Thailand is a pain but not too bad, but getting an original copy of my Japanese divorce certificate (I was divorced in Japan) would be very difficult from the US (especially since time is limited and I don't have any contacts in Japan at this time). I'm hoping I can get away with a photocopy of the divorce certificate.

2) Also, both the Thai birth certificate and Japanese divorce certificates need to be translated. Does anyone have any recommendations for fast, cheap certified translation services in the U.S.?(I'm in the Washington DC area, but I guess there are online translation services)

Thanks very much to anyone who can help!

First, you aren't going to be engaging in a visa process, so NVC, (National Visa Center) will not be involved in the Adjustment of Status. Only USCIS will be involved. You'll need originals for inspection at the interview but the only things that need to be original in your initial filing are the official immigration forms you sign.

You have good answers on the translations already. Visa expiration is not an issue when adjusting status from a student visa. See the applicable guide for adjusting status. Look up and click on the word "Guides".

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Photocopies are fine - you will not go to NVC at all. You will have an interview with your wife and there you will have to show originals if asked. Check out this forum. Good luck.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/130-adjustment-of-status-from-work-student-tourist-visas/

[Darnell 8,478]

*** not a VISA topic, moving to AOS/student/tourist/work forum ***