Help!!!! I feel stuck in the US.

[MarieG 2]

I got married last month, bring back the married certificate to the courthouse to get an original. The lady at the counter told us that the processing takes 6-8wks. The customer copy I have is not signed and for some reason they won't sign it. they keep saying I should wait on the original.

At the airport (POE) they gave me until March 14 to get married.

My question is....are there any other way to start the AOS? I really feel stuck.

Can the customer copy still be use without signature of clerk or clerk deputy? I am so confused!!

I don't even a license because i dont have what to get one. Luckily I did have my Social Security from long time.

I need to start working so I can help my Husband + the kids should be coming up soon.

Please everyone a little advice would help.

Thank you.

[ch3john 308]

Relax. You fulfilled your obligation by getting married within 90 days.

There is no time limit to file AOS. Of course, the sooner the better but no time limit.

[MarieG 2]

Well, I need to file my AOS so I be a permanent resident, start school and work...

I think it is just hard getting things done in Cali.

The lady at the courthouse would have at least signed the copy.

[TBoneTX 43,290]

*** Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the AOS/Family-Based Case Progress subforum -- OP is at that stage. ***

[progzeon 7]

That's for the certified copy of the marriage certificate right? My parents live in California so we thought about getting married at a courthouse there when we visited for Christmas but I saw that 6-8 week timeline for the mailed certified copy so we opted for the same day 10 minutes after marriage receive certificate in Florida instead.

But to echo the other posters, you've got time to file the AOS so try not to worry too much. This extra time allows you to double, triple, quadruple check everything else that needs to be sent in the package.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Well, I need to file my AOS so I be a permanent resident, start school and work...

I think it is just hard getting things done in Cali.

The lady at the courthouse would have at least signed the copy.

Should have done a CR1 if you needed to work right away. Sorry for your predicament.

[KATIEandMAX 1]

We got married in California, and despite it saying you have to wait 6 - 8 weeks, it arrived in less than 4 weeks in the mail for us.

Also, if you go into the office and ask them in person, they may be able to give it to your sooner... I went in person and they gave it to me about 2.5~ weeks after we got married, although they don't seem to like to do this. If you have proof that you need it for immigration purposes, they will also strongly consider granting it to you early, but you have to bring in some sort of visa with an expatriation date for that.

Good luck!

Edited February 12, 2016 by KATIEandMAX

[3rd 84]

It's crazy that this state can't hurry up something as simple as evidentiary paperwork, but it's not the end of the world. Just get everything else in order, cross the t's and dot the i's in the meantime. You don't have to file the AOS before your I-94 expires, it just helps with not accruing any overstay. But once you've filed, overstay is waived anyway!

Good luck!

[flfreddy 92]

I see... I am planning vegas.... so that we get things done fast

[MarieG 2]

I received my marriage certificate on Monday and I have sent in the AOS paper works Friday. Hope everything goes well.

[Fr8dog 312]

I was wondering about something.

Why not file using the copy and wait for the RFE? If I understand correctly a RFE sets you back approx 30 days, that is still less than the 6 to 8 weeks.

Being in Va we don't have this problem, so if I'm wrong in my way of thinking please correct me.

[3rd 84]

I was wondering about something. Why not file using the copy and wait for the RFE? If I understand correctly a RFE sets you back approx 30 days, that is still less than the 6 to 8 weeks. Being in Va we don't have this problem, so if I'm wrong in my way of thinking please correct me.

It would need to be a copy of the original (or 'certified', as original is a very loose term for our certified copy of our marriage certificate). So you'd have to wait on the paperwork either way.

Edited March 15, 2016 by 3rd

[Simonbln 35]

I had the same problem... I just kept on calling 10 times until this one lady forwarded my call to her supervisor. She said it has already been signed and I should call back next week and ask if the image if they received the image of the certificate.

They told me it arrived and i can come and pick it up. When I went to the kiosk to request the document it would not even let me do it as the ceremony date must have been 45 days prior the actual date. I asked what to do and they told me just change year to 2015.

At the counter I told the lady and she could not believe that it was already ready for pick up. So I received it exactly 2 weeks after the actual wedding.

I know OP finally received it but might help others in the same situation.