Certified copy of marriage document

[simpleLady 1]

Hello everybody,

My interview will be in two weeks from now and i started to gather all the documents that the immigrantion need. I am confused about Certified Copy of Marriage document. What is that mean? i have the original with me. what will i do for it? should i go to the court and get a certified copy of my Marriage certificate? do you have some idea about this matter, please help me...

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

The one you got now is a "decoration." if you are reside in AZ. To get the certified one, you need to go to the county clerk to obtain one. It differs from states to states. Google is your friend.

Edited March 31, 2012 by NancyNguyen

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The thing you are calling "original" is a certified copy. The original one, the one you and your husband signed by hand, is on file at the place where marriage records are kept for your state.

Bring the one you have

The one you got now is a "decoration." To get the certified one, you need to go to the county clerk to obtain one.

Not necessarily true. This varies from state to state. I think only a few states give out a "decoration" certificate (NV comes to mind).

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Not necessarily true. This varies from state to state. I think only a few states give out a "decoration" certificate (NV comes to mind).

AZ is a sample

[simpleLady 1]

thank you everyone. i will go down to the court this week to get a certified copy....

[aaron2020 11,651]

thank you everyone. i will go down to the court this week to get a certified copy....

The court does not keep marriage records. You need to go to the recorder's office.

[PinkMelody 1]

The thing you are calling "original" is a certified copy. The original one, the one you and your husband signed by hand, is on file at the place where marriage records are kept for your state.

Bring the one you have

Not necessarily true. This varies from state to state. I think only a few states give out a "decoration" certificate (NV comes to mind).

Hi, Harpa Timsah.

If we move to different state, do they send my 'original' marriage certificate they keep to other state?

[Darnell 8,478]

no no no !

you can order them usually, by postal mail.

most counties have a web site side with 'how to order and pay' info on them.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Hi, Harpa Timsah.

If we move to different state, do they send my 'original' marriage certificate they keep to other state?

No, it stays where it is. If you need another one you contact the state you were married in.

This whole discussion makes no sense without proper information on what state the OP lives in. I suspect they have the correct document already, but I do not know because each state is different. OP - you need to figure out what you have based on what state (or perhaps county) you were married in.

[Mike X Man 37]

The original will be fine. Make a copy of it (both sides if applicable) and send it in. Keep the original in a safe place and take it with you to the interview.

[Pitaya 2,577]

Many of the states' department of vital statistics/health department (or similarly named department) now have online sites where you can order and pay for various documents, i.e., birth certs., death certs., divorce decrees, etc. Often the first documents costs more, with a discount given for subsequent copies requested at the same time. They are then mailed to you.

I recently used those very services for three states (UT, CO, WA) for birth certs and divorce decrees. I ordered five copies of each, received them in a couple of weeks.

Good luck.

[Dave&Roza 748]

The thing you are calling "original" is a certified copy. The original one, the one you and your husband signed by hand, is on file at the place where marriage records are kept for your state.

Bring the one you have

FYI, In Colorado we have the original that we signed and I was able to get Certified Copies the day we got married--6 in total. The original was scanned into the County Clerk's records and mailed back to us. So I have the actually original Marriage License and Marriage Certificate signed by myself, the wife, the witnesses, and the Judge. I can only speak to what we have as every state and county within each state is different. I would recommend the OP take what they have and have the IO make a copy if needed, but do NOT let them keep what you have--it may in fact be the original.

Good luck on your interview.

Dave

Edited April 1, 2012 by Dave&Roza