Marriage certificate copy - cant see the seal.

[utopia2004 2]

Just got an RFE for marriage certificate (i sent the decorative copy DOH!).

So the court house just issued me a certified one- and photocopied it for me.

But the photocopy- you really cant see the seal. Theres no way any other photocopy I do- will show the seal- because its light not dark.

So should I send the certified copy or the photocopy that you cant see the seal?

I can easily go to the court house and get another certified (sealed copy) for $5.

What do you think?

[Julz&Shawn 0]

Just got an RFE for marriage certificate (i sent the decorative copy DOH!).

So the court house just issued me a certified one- and photocopied it for me.

But the photocopy- you really cant see the seal. Theres no way any other photocopy I do- will show the seal- because its light not dark.

So should I send the certified copy or the photocopy that you cant see the seal?

I can easily go to the court house and get another certified (sealed copy) for $5.

What do you think?

just send the certified copy to be sure

[Brit Abroad 166]

Take a photo of the original with a digital camera, print it out in colour. It should show.

[bestofboston 36]

You need to submit certified copies only. It is good to have more than one certified copy for the process. What is important is it is a certified copy and not a copy of a certified copy.

Edited August 5, 2011 by bestofboston

[DasBoot 7]

In my opinion, to be safe you should just ask for 2 certified copies so you can send the original certified copy and still have one with you. They will probably charge you a few extra dollars for the 2nd certified copy, but it's worth it I think.

[utopia2004 2]

Ok im just going to send the certified copy with the raised seal. And I can go to the court house and ask for another certified copy with raised seal for the NVC process. It was only 5 dollars, and it takes 5 minutes to get one.

They wont have an issue with me sending an actual ''copy'', rather than a photocopy then? Because I know in the instructions it asks for photocopies at this stage?

Sorry if this sounds stupid but i just want to be sure.

Thanks

[utopia2004 2]

You need to submit certified copies only. It is good to have more than one certified copy for the process. What is important is it is a certified copy and not a copy of a certified copy.

I thought that at the i130 stage- photocopies were adequate.

I sent a photocopy of the birth certificate (certified copy), you could see the seal, and I had no RFE about that.

[DasBoot 7]

You should send the original certified "copy". I remember reading somewhere that is what they wanted, but I'm not completely sure where. At any rate, I can't see them having any issues with having the original instead of a photocopy.

Also, the court where we got the certified copies from advised us that often government agencies want to see the original with seal, this was a general statement not specifically regarding USCIS.

[JoannaV 174]

It's a little confusing when it comes to marriage and birth certificates as to whether they want copies or copies. At the time I believe I read it as meaning certified copies, and certainly it is useful to have more than one certified copy of your marriage certificate hanging around. At the interview they can generally return to you all your original documents.

[rhenzhen 5]

I planned to send original copy of our Marriage Certificate too but ended up sending certified copy of our Marriage Certificate. I'm worried that i might get lost or we might not get it back... I talked to two NVC rep that certified copy is fine...Btw, this is only for DS-230. For I-130 photocopy of your original is fine...Don't send original copy for I-130... you might not get it back...

Edited August 5, 2011 by rhenzhen