Divorce Decree vs Certificate

[rebeccajo 14]

I originally sent a copy of my divorce decree and received an RFE for the certified copy of final judgment of divorce.

Me too. They didn't ask to see the original certified final judgement during the interview at the embassy. I faxed the embassy ahead of time to see if the original certified doc would be needed at the interview.

When I first read the original post, I was (and still) remain somewhat confused as to what the OP submitted with the K packet. If they got by without a certified copy of the decree for NOA2, then it PROBABLY won't be needed at the interview.

But I didn't want to stick my neck out there and recommend this. Because as I am always harping.....no two consulates are alike.

Edited October 26, 2006 by rebeccajo

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I guess i may have misunderstood the last comment. A copy of my divorce decree was notarized along with other documents as true replicas of the original documents. Are you saying notary publics are not meant to do that?

The copy of divorce decree currently in Nigeria with my fiancee is one that has been notarized. I guess i am wondering if that notarized document will suffice or if they will insist on a certified copy. Thus far, i guess i may have to do a last minute rush to try and obtain a certified copy. Gosh and i thought i was done with mailing of documents....oh bother!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I work for a court. The court clerk can "certify" by stamp that your copy of the divorce decree is a correct copy of the original on file with the court. That would make your copy "official."

I am also a Notary, and the purpose of notarizing is simply to declare that you have witnessed the signing of the document. It does not make the document "authentic" nor make what is in the document "official" but simply means the person claiming to have signed the document did indeed sign it.

[SirLancelot 1]

Here`s a little question i came across on a totally unrelated subject but which may apply here...

Do Embassies want to see divorce decree or a certified copy of the divorce decree?

My case is already at the embassy having gone through uscis and nvc. Will a divorce decree notarized by a notary public, as a true semblance of the original, be accepted rather than the certified document usually issued from the court where divorce was granted.

Comments are welcome..

Masterpiece, the way you phrased your question is what's confusing people.

You asked a question with two options as being the answer. Divorce decree or certified copy.

Then you bring up notarized copy from a notary public. A notarized copy is not the same thing as a certified copy. And to the best of my knowledge, you are never able to obtain the original divorce decree. You can only get a certified copy of the divorce decree. How you would accomplish submitting to the Embassy your original divorce decree is beyond me. The best you could do is submit a certified copy of the divorce decree.

I made a photocopy of my certified copy of the original divorce decree.

[simple_male 1]

Here`s a little question i came across on a totally unrelated subject but which may apply here...

Do Embassies want to see divorce decree or a certified copy of the divorce decree?

My case is already at the embassy having gone through uscis and nvc. Will a divorce decree notarized by a notary public, as a true semblance of the original, be accepted rather than the certified document usually issued from the court where divorce was granted.

Comments are welcome..

You need the certified copy of the final divorce decree. Call the court where the divorce took place. They will tell you what to do. They may charge you a small fee, like $4.00-$6.00. They can mail it to you or you can pick it up from the court house.

[masterpiece 2]

All comments are appreciated. Wow! I nearly missed this one. Luckily i came across this in a totally unrelated read. Yes i have put the process in motion. I am not in the same state where the final judgement was decreed but luckily i know folks that can help out.

Phew!!! Like i want to get caught napping by a simple thing as a certified copy of a document.

I apologize if my original statement was confusing. Boy! did i type it whilst in a fog of confusion myself...

For uscis, i submitted a copy fo the divorce decree and was okay.

The copy of my divorce decree was not notarized however a notary public did look through it, in addition to other documents, then made copies of those documents and then notarized on those copies she made as "true copies of original document presented to her".

Well no matter, i am not even going to figure out what side of the bed the C.O, in Nigeria, will be getting up from so the certified copy from the court will be sent ASAP.