USCIS vs European marriage extract

[davidnwelton 1]

Hi,

I have filed an I-130 on behalf of my Italian wife of nearly 10 years. As documentation of our marriage, we sent in one of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_on_the_Issue_of_Multilingual_Extracts_from_Civil_Status_Records

It's in French, with translations in a variety of languages including English. This is a standard European format (we used it when we moved to Austria for instance, because it has German as well as English). We used the same document when filing for a previous I-130 which was accepted (we decided not to go that time), as well as for US citizenship for our two children, born in Austria and Italy.

However, the USCIS folks in Rome sent me a letter complaining about the marriage certificate, that it's in French, rather than Italian. To me, this seems to be none of their concern as long as 1) it's valid, which it is: stamped, dated and signed by the local authorities, and 2) it's translated into English, which it is.

Does anyone have any experience with using these certificates? I would imagine that many other people use the same thing, since it's convenient, being already translated.

Thanks!

[a+j 77]

I used one of those for my AOS. Got a RFE asking for its English translation. I felt there was no need to point out how dumb what they were asking for was. The person handling my paperwork was clearly not familiar with that kind of certificate. I just sent in another copy of the same certificate with its "translation" reporting only info in English, and my Certification by Translator:

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________
Date Typed Name
Address

It worked.

[davidnwelton 1]

Today they said they had approved the I-130 yesterday, after I had sent them another email very politely pointing out that they had an official document with an English translation attesting to our marriage.

Next, on to Naples, I guess. I wonder why the heck it's *there*, rather than Rome, which is the most logical choice? Maybe because of all the southerners who are connected with the US, they get more people from down there? Oh well...

[a+j 77]

Next, on to Naples, I guess. I wonder why the heck it's *there*, rather than Rome, which is the most logical choice? Maybe because of all the southerners who are connected with the US, they get more people from down there? Oh well...

Wondered that myself. Then I stuffed my face with pizza fritta and sfogliatelle, and that totally made up for the loooooooooooooong trip