Divorced but is the divorce document I have what USCIS requires

[LouRulka 1]

Hello fellow VJers!

I am trying to get some clarification on the divorce documents required. I recently completed a summary dissolution (Joint Petition) in California. 6 months after after filing the judgement was entered, I received an document named FL-825 Judgment Of Dissolution And Notice Of Entry Of Judgment. There are 2 boxes on the form checked/filled out:

1. The Court Orders:

a. A judgment of dissolution of marriage and/or domestic partnership will be entered, and the parties are restored to the status of single persons, effective (date): 8-11-14 (Aug 11, 2014)

2. You are notified that a judgement of dissolution of marriage was entered on Date 8-12-14.

This is just a standard form from what I can tell, (It's just the FL-825 with the dates and has the filed and endorse stamp on it). The document is 2 pages, but the only thing on the 2nd page is the clerk certificate of mailing so its essentially just 1 page. Is this considered the decree? Does USCIS require something different? I'm lost, I think I over thought and did it to my myself...lol! I will attach what the court gave me below.

Edited August 27, 2014 by Kathryn41
attachment removed at OP's request

[Ian H. 207]

This form serves as a notice of entry and a divorce judgment. It's a notification from the court that your divorce is final and that it was entered into the court's files.

In NY it was similar when I helped my aunt file her divorce, except that they sent her a notice of entry and we went to the courthouse to get the final decree and the county clerk certified it. Then I took the copy that was for her ex and had it apostilled so that it would be recognized in the DR.

According to the court website, this is the divorce judgment.

http://www.courts.ca.gov/1241.htm

Edited August 26, 2014 by Ian H.

[Ian H. 207]

1. If you did not get Form FL-825 back right away, wait to receive it, filed and signed by the judge.

   The Judgment of Dissolution and Notice of Entry of Judgment (Form FL-825) is your divorce judgment. (If you filed Form FL-820, that will be your divorce judgment). Whether you get it when you first file all your papers or you receive it later by mail, it will have a date on it of 6 months after you first filed your case on Item 1(a). That is the date your divorce is final.

   • You will NOT be divorced, and you CANNOT get remarried, until after the date that appears on Form FL-825 as the effective date of your judgment of dissolution (your divorce).

[LouRulka 1]

^{Thanks for your help Ian H,}

^{Just an update,}

^{I received an email from the court today and I was told that the form (FL-825) that I received was the judgement (aka: decree) in California. And pretty much exactly as you said Ian H. I have to go to the courthouse and have it certified. One more headache over with:)}

[Al422 221]

Looks like what you need. A photocopy is sufficient for the I-129(f) filing, while a certified copy will be needed for the interview.