Request for initial evidence (copy of marrige cert)

[Andreypa 70]

Hello guys!

 

Has anyone recently received similar request to their submitted i-485 form? We submitted all documents and checked them thoroughly,but still got an RFE. I was guessing all this time -what was it? And it appears that for some reason they need a copy of marriage cert,which we already submitted!!!  Here goes the whole message from the yellow letter: "Submit a copy of the marriage certificate,issued by the appropriate civil authority,between the K-1 applicant and the I-129F petitioner". It made me think,that they need a copy of ORIGINAL that we were given by the priest who married us,but that paper was kept for our own records,right? I sent them exactly, what they needed - a FINAL one and only Marriage Certwith a printed seal on it - a copy of it. Why would they ask for it again? They simply lost it? Was the copy not sufficient for them and they need original or certified copy of the certificate? But than again look at the sentence in the yellow letter which says nothing but a copy of marriage certificate. I'm lost. What would be the right thing to go with,what do you think?

 

Thank you so much!!!

Edited October 28, 2018 by Andreypa

[TNJ17 1,329]

Check to see what you actually sent. Maybe you sent the marriage license and not the certificate you got after you got married that is stamped by the courts saying you’re married. Sometimes they ask for stuff they already got because they gotta slow the process down. Check your copy to see what you sent. Just send them what they asked for and you’re good. 

[Andreypa 70]

15 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

Check to see what you actually sent. Maybe you sent the marriage license and not the certificate you got after you got married that is stamped by the courts saying you’re married. Sometimes they ask for stuff they already got because they gotta slow the process down. Check your copy to see what you sent. Just send them what they asked for and you’re good. 

Thank you! I clearly remember that it was Marriage Cert copy. So you think not necessary to certify it? just send a plain photocopy once again? What exactly did you send to them,if you did?

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

I went to the town hall and got a couple copies - I sent one of those “copies” that included the seal.

[Tella&T 183]

We sent a copy that looked exactly like an original. We got a few of them from the place that issued them. I think this was an issue - it sounds you sent them a photocopy...while in fact we sent them an original in a way if that makes sense.

[NikLR 13,220]

You only need a photocopy.  Make sure you send front and back. 

[Andreypa 70]

3 hours ago, NikLR said:

You only need a photocopy.  Make sure you send front and back. 

Thank you for your response. There are so many answers online - I did tons of research and there are so many opinions about it - the ratio of answers I would say is even. Some swear that original copy is only needed,where others just send in photocopies. I am really worried,because I don't want to get RFE for the second time,in fact I don't even know if it is acceptable to get an RFE once again. It also might depend on officer,who is reviewing the case - to accept the original and decline the photocopy. 

NikLR, was your answer based on your own experience.please let me know?  Thank you!!!

[NikLR 13,220]

Did you send front and back the first time? 

People always will "swear" they need to send certified copies or originals when they're not asked for such.  The instructions specifically say to only send photocopies unless they're specifically asked for.  IMHO I would hazard a guess that people simply don't send front AND back. 

[NikLR 13,220]

We didnt have a single issue with either our I-130 petition or CR1 visa nor with my ROC.  I tend to be really good with instructions.  It's why I build all of our furniture.  LOL

[Andreypa 70]

2 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Did you send front and back the first time? 

People always will "swear" they need to send certified copies or originals when they're not asked for such.  The instructions specifically say to only send photocopies unless they're specifically asked for.  IMHO I would hazard a guess that people simply don't send front AND back. 

Dear,NikLR 

I sent in only front portion the first time black&white. The back side is all blank. I assume you made them in color? Is there a big difference color or b/w for the back portion? I also always read instructions and take it very cautiously and with all responsibilities! That is why I am not trying to receive another RFE,but carefully examine the whole thing. On page 10 of I-485instr - item #6 Marriage Certificate and Other Proof of Relationship - it clearly states that:

 

"If you are filing Form I-485 as the derivative applicant spouse of the principal applicant,you generally must submit a photocopy of your marriage certificate issued by the appropriate civil authority where the marriage took place". 

 

What made me confused, is this part: "derivative applicant spouse of the principal applicant" - I did not really understand the wording.

[NikLR 13,220]

Because the I-485 can only be filed with an I-130 or after arriving on a K1 visa (which had an I-129F.)  

If you feel more comfortable sending a certified copy because the back is blank then do so.  We didnt have an issue only sending a photocopy of my husband's birth certificate but I believe I wrote at the bottom saying "back is blank."  I also made sure everything was original size and not enlarged or shrunk.  

[Andreypa 70]

4 minutes ago, NikLR said:

Because the I-485 can only be filed with an I-130 or after arriving on a K1 visa (which had an I-129F.)  

If you feel more comfortable sending a certified copy because the back is blank then do so.  We didnt have an issue only sending a photocopy of my husband's birth certificate but I believe I wrote at the bottom saying "back is blank."  I also made sure everything was original size and not enlarged or shrunk.  

Thank your for your help! I will think this all over. I will consult somebody I know tomorrow - who works in Immigration Office, just to hear one more opinion. And in the end  - it would not hurt to drive 30 minutes,pay $20 and get the same document as the original to send it in. It will be more on a safe side and will let me sleep at night lol.

[Sunnyland 639]

When we married at the courthouse (in 2012) we requested them additional copies of the marriage certificate to be mailed to us. All of them obviously have the county clerk seal, etc. We wanted to get additional copies because one was gonna be used for my AOS (from K1)and the others we were gonna keep for our records, backup, etc. We did not send a photocopy, we sent one of the original copies the courthouse mailed us.  You don't need a lawyer for something so simple like this. Save your money.

Edited October 28, 2018 by Sunnyland

[Andreypa 70]

3 minutes ago, Sunnyland said:

When we married at the courthouse (in 2012) we requested them additional copies of the marriage certificate to be mailed to us. All of them obviously have the county clerk seal, etc. We wanted to get additional copies because one was gonna be used for my AOS (from K1)and the others we were gonna keep for our records, backup, etc. We did not send a photocopy, we sent one of the original copies the courthouse mailed us.  You don't need a lawyer for something so simple like this. Save your money.

Lol, thank you! I was just going to consult somebody I know - it's absolutely free for me  I made a mistake paying to a lawyer once - going through K1 process, good I matured since than and for Green Card we filed documents ourselves.

[Andreypa 70]

So, I was just told by paralegal who works on cases like that - she confirmed that photocopy is fine. They most likely were too lazy to browse through the papers - might have been gone unnoticed or simply lost.  From her words - front page photocopy is sufficient. I will have to come up with the decision now :))