WTF? Wakass RFE finally arrives

[Ana and Dan 0]

It sounds like the RFE they sent Alex was a standard form that they use for many RFE's. Then they just check whichever box applies to make it easier for everyone. So if they actually had a line that said "Birth Certificate for Bennie" with a checkbox to the left, it may be more common than we think. Maybe worthwhile to add as at least a "good to have" in the future.

Edited September 29, 2006 by Ana and Dan

[no name 1]

How often have people had this requested? I would be ok with adding a line to the guide such as:

14. (Optional -- not required by USCIS guidelines) A copy of the foreign fiance(e)'s Birth Certifacte (front and back). There have been a few rare cases where this was requested to be sent in as part of approving the I-129F.

I think it's a great idea but add in copy of passport.

14. (Optional -- not required by USCIS guidelines) A copy of the foreign fiance(e)'s Birth Certifacte (front and back) OR an entire copy of all passport pages. There have been a few rare cases where this was requested to be sent in as part of approving the I-129F.

I submitted my fiance's passport pages (mainly to prove travel stamps but still) & we see it often on here. I'd rather submit it than get an RFE & have delays.

[Alex+R 0]

I'm thinking we'll also submit the passport, but I don't know if I want to do all the pages because there is a denied student visa to the USA in there!!! Ack.

[Mew 0]

Yes, now I am frantically searching for how to get it translated by Monday.

With a document like this, can *I* translate it and sign a paper saying I can do both languages?

Yes, Rey, despite how bad I am. You can help me.

Yes, Alex.

11.3 Foreign Language Documents and Translations.

(a) Document Translations. All documents submitted in support of an application or petition must include complete translation into English. In addition, there must be a certification from the translator indicating that the translation is complete and accurate and attesting to his or her competence as a translator. See 8 CFR 103.2(B)(3).

http://www.uscis.gov/lpbin/lpext.dll/inser...ument-frame.htm

Also: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...ge=translations

[JenT 0]

Interesting... I did not send anything of David's in with the I-129F except for his G-325A... The only RFE I received was for IMBRA.

[Yodrak 7]

Captain Ewok,

RFEs for the beneficiary's birth certificate were common a few years back, expecially from the CSC. Common enough that it was routinely recommended that the beneficiay's birth certificate be included as a prudent thing to do to avoid the likelyhood of an RFE. (I thought it was in the Guide, and I recall a particular attorney friend of ours recommending it quite frequently.)

Haven't read much about this RFE for a long time now, I've wondered if that was because people were routinely including it or because the USCIS was losing interest in it. It seems that memories have faded, perhaps the first explanation is closer to the truth.

Yodrak

How often have people had this requested? I would be ok with adding a line to the guide such as:

14. (Optional -- not required by USCIS guidelines) A copy of the foreign fiance(e)'s Birth Certifacte (front and back). There have been a few rare cases where this was requested to be sent in as part of approving the I-129F.

I do not want to add extra things -- saying optional will result in most people adding this to be safe and since this is not required per any published documents I am hesitant.

[mawilson 2,133]

I'm thinking we'll also submit the passport, but I don't know if I want to do all the pages because there is a denied student visa to the USA in there!!! Ack.

You don't have to photocopy all the pages; they really only want to see the front page with the name and photo.

RFEs for the beneficiary's birth certificate were common a few years back, expecially from the CSC. Common enough that it was routinely recommended that the beneficiay's birth certificate be included as a prudent thing to do to avoid the likelyhood of an RFE. (I thought it was in the Guide, and I recall a particular attorney friend of ours recommending it quite frequently.)

Indeed. Lots of people (including myself) got RFE'd for it.

[kaydee457 13]

Ok, so my RFE came. It lists like 10 things, each with a box next to it. Only one item has the box checked, which is "Birth Certificate: Submit a birth certificate and English translation for the beneficiary."

I thought this was officially not required.

The other things listed (sans description) are:

Foreign Document

Verification of Status

Circumstances of Meeting

Last Meeting

Divorce/Death Decree (this does not apply to us even)

Photographs

Form G-325A (for beneficiary)

Birth Certificate

Other: Consulate you selected does not process fiance visas....

Is this how everyone's RFE looks? The Divorce/Death one and the Other one have unfilled in blanks.

Please tell me it's just the birth certificate. I know I submitted all the other stuff soooo

PS Sorry I have spent the last 5 min searching for answers fruitlessly. I know I could search longer but I just really need some answers.

You got the RFE because you (your Lawyer) submitted a Birth Certificate that's in Portuguese for your Fiancee. He was not supposed to do that! It did not need to be submitted in this phase of the process. The beneficiary needs it when she goes to the Consulate in Rio for the Interview. But because it is in your package, now they want it translated into English.

Action: Get the Birth Certificate translated and resubmit.

Sounds reasonable to me. This is why time and again I've recommended resisting the urge to send in too much "evidence", particularly when said evidence wasn't asked for to begin with

Edited September 29, 2006 by kaydee457

[Yodrak 7]

kaydee,

Yeah - except that joeyjoey made an assumption that turned out to be wrong. Alex+R has made it quite clear that petitioner did not submit a copy of beneficiary's foreign language birth certificate with the petition.

So this particular case does not support your arguement.

Yodrak

Ok, so my RFE came. It lists like 10 things, each with a box next to it. Only one item has the box checked, which is "Birth Certificate: Submit a birth certificate and English translation for the beneficiary."

I thought this was officially not required.

The other things listed (sans description) are:

Foreign Document

Verification of Status

Circumstances of Meeting

Last Meeting

Divorce/Death Decree (this does not apply to us even)

Photographs

Form G-325A (for beneficiary)

Birth Certificate

Other: Consulate you selected does not process fiance visas....

Is this how everyone's RFE looks? The Divorce/Death one and the Other one have unfilled in blanks.

Please tell me it's just the birth certificate. I know I submitted all the other stuff soooo

PS Sorry I have spent the last 5 min searching for answers fruitlessly. I know I could search longer but I just really need some answers.

You got the RFE because you (your Lawyer) submitted a Birth Certificate that's in Portuguese for your Fiancee. He was not supposed to do that! It did not need to be submitted in this phase of the process. The beneficiary needs it when she goes to the Consulate in Rio for the Interview. But because it is in your package, now they want it translated into English.

Action: Get the Birth Certificate translated and resubmit.

Sounds reasonable to me. This is why time and again I've recommended resisting the urge to send in too much "evidence", particularly when said evidence wasn't asked for to begin with

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Not true.

Go read through the RFE Master List and you'll see at least one (that I know of) RFE to send in all pages of a passport. If you submit it, make sure to submit it correctly.

Just like if you were going to submit a BC, you'd want to submit copies of the front and back, not just the side that has the citizenship information.

Cass (bebop the great)

You don't have to photocopy all the pages; they really only want to see the front page with the name and photo.

[Alex+R 0]

So um, while I have your attention... how do I send an RFE? Do I have to send it in the enevelope they gave me, or can I put that envelope in a certified mail thing? Should I write the case number and "RFE" on that larger envelope?

I seriously suck at searching VJ.

[homesick_american 1]

I would assume that the USCIS would want a birth certificate for every immigrant...weird to me that they wouldn't. Luckily birth certificates are easy as hell to get in the UK; my husband ordered a copy of his ONLINE.

When I needed a copy of mine for the I-130, my mom had to go stand in line in a Dallas County office for a couple of hours.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

http://www.vitalchek.com

Allows online ordering of certificates from pretty much any state in the nation.

Cass (bebop the great)

When I needed a copy of mine for the I-130, my mom had to go stand in line in a Dallas County office for a couple of hours.

[homesick_american 1]

http://www.vitalchek.com

Allows online ordering of certificates from pretty much any state in the nation.

Cass (bebop the great)

When I needed a copy of mine for the I-130, my mom had to go stand in line in a Dallas County office for a couple of hours.

Weird; my mom said she was told that she, my father, or I had to come in person to collect it and bring proof of identity. Maybe it's just a Texas thing. I've never tried to get a copy of my own birth certificate before.

[William33 110]

Alex+R,

When you send the RFE evidence back, send it USPS Express ($14 and change).

On the front and back of the USPS provided document Envelope, write the following: ATTN:RFE in red marker.

This is the information on the RFE envelope supplied by CSC.

You may want to write your case number on the envelope, as well.

It will then move through CSC very fast!

So um, while I have your attention... how do I send an RFE? Do I have to send it in the enevelope they gave me, or can I put that envelope in a certified mail thing? Should I write the case number and "RFE" on that larger envelope?

I seriously suck at searching VJ.