Is Copy of Petitioner's Divorce Decree Acceptable?

[Joe G. 0]

Hello All,

This website and forum is a wonderful resource! This is my first post! Thanks to everyone for all the information I have gleaned over the months. Today I have joined...so I can post!

Here is my question:

My fiancee has her embassy interview in Manila for her K-1 Visa Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013. I have sent her a scanned copy of my divorce decree by email attachment. She has printed it to take. Is it worth it for me to Fed-Ex a certified copy to her? I really am not rich, but I also don't want things to be delayed because of a $50 Fed-Ex cost either. But like I said, I don't have lots of money, so I want to be wise about this.

Has anyone taken a photocopy (or scanned copy) to Manila and been required to provide a certified copy (you know, with the embossed seal, etc.) before a Visa would be issued?

Or, has anyone been asked to see their petitioners' divorce decree, and when you presented a scanned copy (or phtoocopy), they accepted it?

Thank you so much for your help!

Joe

[Netsikai 20]

When we filed our I-129f, my fiancé included the photocopies of his divorce papers...it was approved then when I had my interview with US embassy Manila last July 2013, I had a photocopy of my fiancé divorce papers...but it is never ask ...so it is alright for your fiancée to bring a photocopy or scan copies of ur divorce paper/s...no need to send her the certified true copy of ur divorce papers...but please tell ur fiancée to read each page of the divorce papers in case the consul will ask the reason of the divorce....I was asked the reason of the divorce by the guidance counsellor at the CFO office.

...what was asked from me was the original I-134 or affidavit if support signed and dated by my fiancé., photocopy of w2 and 1040...as long as ur fiancée has the original affidavit of support, letter of intent, letter of employment, photocopies of other papers are good.

[Netsikai 20]

Addendum, I was also asked for my original NSO bc and Cenomar and my NBI clearance.

[collnin4412 0]

Back when the petition is still at USCIS we had an RFE for a certified copy. But when i had my interview last Oct 7 the consul did not ask for it.

It's depends to the interviewer i think, coz one member here asked to send her fiance certifiedcopy of divorce decree after the interview.

[Joe G. 0]

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate everyone's help in this forum. So many members probably leave the site once all is over for them...and I must say I really appreciate those who stay and pass on their valuable experiences to those of us who are still going through it. Really, I believe you are all a blessing!

Joe

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hello All,

This website and forum is a wonderful resource! This is my first post! Thanks to everyone for all the information I have gleaned over the months. Today I have joined...so I can post!

Here is my question:

My fiancee has her embassy interview in Manila for her K-1 Visa Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013. I have sent her a scanned copy of my divorce decree by email attachment. She has printed it to take. Is it worth it for me to Fed-Ex a certified copy to her? I really am not rich, but I also don't want things to be delayed because of a $50 Fed-Ex cost either. But like I said, I don't have lots of money, so I want to be wise about this.

Has anyone taken a photocopy (or scanned copy) to Manila and been required to provide a certified copy (you know, with the embossed seal, etc.) before a Visa would be issued?

Or, has anyone been asked to see their petitioners' divorce decree, and when you presented a scanned copy (or phtoocopy), they accepted it?

Thank you so much for your help!

Joe

You sent a copy of your divorce decree to USCIS when you did the I-129F petition, correct? The embassy will not ask about your divorce decree for the interview, most everything is about your fiancee and the relationship you two have, except for the support, I-134 and most recent tax return/W-2, which the embassy wants an original of the I-134 but copies of your tax return & W2.

Follow the Embassy Instruction Letter for what is required for the interview.

CFO will want to see a copy of your divorce decree but the copy you emailed is more than adequate.

[Joe G. 0]

Thank you Hank for your reply. I love your confidence, and have no idea how you know so much about the whole process...but I am glad you do. Many of your posts have helped me thus far. I speak from the heart when i say "thank you for being a friend to so many whom you have never even met"

Blessings,

Joe

[Keane15 5]

I agree with hank but In mycase, to be safe and sure, hand a copy (original copy) of your divorce decree to your fiance. I have been reading posts and in my own experience, I was asked for the original copy. If i am not mistaken, 3 VJ'ers who previously had their interview in USEM were asked to submit the original divorce decree like me. It wouldn't hurt to make sure. It has been past 1 month since my interview and i still don't have the visa with me, the original copy of divorce decree caused all the delays I have now. I was able to submit the scanned copy but was still asked for the orihinal copy. God bless and god luck

[Hk031812 1]

Hi there! I just had my interview last Oct 4 here in Singapore and CO asked for the court certified with a stamp divorce paperwork. I was given form 221(g) because of that. I have submitted the next working day. Fedex will take 2 days maximum. I agree, it depends on the CO I guess.. but it is better to be ready just incase. Goodluck!

To note.. I have the copy during the interview.. but CO didn't accept.

[Juliet and Steve 93]

Hi there! I had my interview on Sept. 25th, submitted original copy of final divorce decree. I thought it was fine. But on the last window, I was asked for "Petitioner's Divorce Documents". I told my fiance about that and he sent me an original copy of Certification of Divorce. I have no idea if that's what they're looking for since they didn't send me any confirmation but my status says ready one week after they received the document. I hope that help.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Juliet and Steve

[Juliet and Steve 93]

Hi there! I had my interview on Sept. 25th, submitted original copy of final divorce decree. I thought it was fine. But on the last window, I was asked for "Petitioner's Divorce Documents". I told my fiance about that and he sent me an original copy of Certification of Divorce. I have no idea if that's what they're looking for since they didn't send me any confirmation but my status says ready one week after they received the document. I hope that help.

Steve here responding to Juliet's post above.

After divorce the Court sent me a final divorce decree signed by the judge--I used this or the I129-F and it was accepted.

When Juliet went to the consular interview, it wasn't.

I stopped by the Court and they told me that what the Embassy wants is "Certification of Divorce" which has a colored signature (rubber stamped) and also has the raised embossed stamp on it.

So if whatever you scanned shows the raised embossed stamp on it--I would not send another.

If however it did not have a raised embossed stamp on it you "may" get a 221G and if it were me, I'd send her a prime copy from the Court which costs me here in NH $10.

I suspect that each state has different protocols. It may be that when I divorced the final decrees was not a Certificate of Divorce. I also suspect that if you call/visit the family court where you were divorced they can probably tell you if what you have is what Manila wants. The lady at my court said: "Oh, you need the Certification of Divorce, that's what the Manila consulate wants."

Good luck.

Edited October 13, 2013 by Juliet and Steve

[Joe G. 0]

Thanks for all of your assistance everyone. I think I will get the certified copy from the courthouse but wait to see if it is requested before sending it. At least I will be ready if asked.

All I can say is that this Visa process is impossible to figure out. The instructions one place say one thing...in another place they say another...one CO requires this...another doesn't. Without a resource like this website with its many helpful members, it would be really difficult to get through.

Thanks!