Marriage certificate copy requirements for AOS - New York

[MM_77 1]

When I read instructions on I-485, it said that they only need copies of documents, not the originals, unless they request originals. I read some posts about copies of marriage certificates and many said that they must be certified with the raised impression stamp. My original certificate of marriage does not have the raised impression stamp and I wonder if just a color copy will be enough. Thanks.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from Family-based AOS to WST-based AOS Forum~

~AOS from F-1 visa~

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

A photocopy is enough. The NYC cert I have doesn't have a raised seal.

Anyone who says you need to send an original marriage cert for AOS is wrong. You will bring the original to your interview for inspection, if they want to look at it.

Edited September 23, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[digitalvx 4]

To be on the safe side I asked for a certified copy from the town hall and included it. It costs $10 so why risk getting an RFE. In reading I saw photocopy works for some, but not all.

[Franciscus 32]

To be on the safe side I asked for a certified copy from the town hall and included it. It costs $10 so why risk getting an RFE. In reading I saw photocopy works for some, but not all.

You are obviously free to certify and/or notarize as many documents as you want, but it's not true that you can get an RFE for this. A simple black and white photocopy of the marriage certificate they give you is enough for the package, as clearly stated in the instructions. It is not unsafe to follow the instructions.