Few last minute questions before sending in

[KeithJess 0]

Up until assembling I thought I had everything but starting to second guess myself. Hoped to run a few things by everyone

 

I'm sending in for my wife and two step children

Do I need 3 separate copies of my birth certificate or will they pull it from my wife's file?

 

My wife was previously married. She changed back to her maiden name after the divorce. She took my last name after we married. Do I need certificate of name change for when she first married, when she divorced and when she took mine? 

 

Thanks

[pushbrk 12,243]

8 hours ago, KeithJess said:

Up until assembling I thought I had everything but starting to second guess myself. Hoped to run a few things by everyone

 

I'm sending in for my wife and two step children

Do I need 3 separate copies of my birth certificate or will they pull it from my wife's file?

 

My wife was previously married. She changed back to her maiden name after the divorce. She took my last name after we married. Do I need certificate of name change for when she first married, when she divorced and when she took mine? 

 

Thanks

Think in terms of each beneficiary's stack being able to stand alone, so yes to both your birth certificate, any divorce decrees, and the marriage certificate.  For each stack, also include your wife's first marriage certificate, and divorce decree.  Those will document the name change and are needed anyway.

[KeithJess 0]

20 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Think in terms of each beneficiary's stack being able to stand alone, so yes to both your birth certificate, any divorce decrees, and the marriage certificate.  For each stack, also include your wife's first marriage certificate, and divorce decree.  Those will document the name change and are needed anyway.

I have the divorce certificate but I wasn't aware I needed the original marriage certificate if I'm understanding you correctly?

[pushbrk 12,243]

7 minutes ago, KeithJess said:

I have the divorce certificate but I wasn't aware I needed the original marriage certificate if I'm understanding you correctly?

You need a photocopy of a certified copy of the marriage certificate in each of the stacks.  What is needed for a step child and for a spouse is clearly stated in the I-130 instructions.  Study them carefully and apply them to your circumstances.

[KeithJess 0]

31 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

You need a photocopy of a certified copy of the marriage certificate in each of the stacks.  What is needed for a step child and for a spouse is clearly stated in the I-130 instructions.  Study them carefully and apply them to your circumstances.

I'm referring to the marriage certificate from the original marriage which you stated I needed but the instructions only say divorce papers nothing about marriage certificate from the first marriage 

[pushbrk 12,243]

2 minutes ago, KeithJess said:

I'm referring to the marriage certificate from the original marriage which you stated I needed but the instructions only say divorce papers nothing about marriage certificate from the first marriage 

The marriage certificate for the first marriage, combined with the divorce decree will document her name changes.

 

It shows the woman born as Mary Smith, changed her name to Jones when she first married.  Divorce decree documents her change back to Smith.  Your marriage certificate to her documents the most current name change from Smith to the new married name, if applicable, but mostly it is needed to document that you are married to the mother of her children.

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by pushbrk

[KeithJess 0]

27 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

The marriage certificate for the first marriage, combined with the divorce decree will document her name changes.

 

It shows the woman born as Mary Smith, changed her name to Jones when she first married.  Divorce decree documents her change back to Smith.  Your marriage certificate to her documents the most current name change from Smith to the new married name, if applicable, but mostly it is needed to document that you are married to the mother of her children.

 

I see. We have certificates for all of her name changes already as that's how we read it but I understand your way of going about it as well. It wasn't something we considered. Do you believe this will be fine or would you suggest we also provide a marriage certificate for her first marriage?  Thank you for the information 

[pushbrk 12,243]

6 minutes ago, KeithJess said:

I see. We have certificates for all of her name changes already as that's how we read it but I understand your way of going about it as well. It wasn't something we considered. Do you believe this will be fine or would you suggest we also provide a marriage certificate for her first marriage?  Thank you for the information 

I don't really know what you mean by "certificates" for name changes.  I know the method I described will work.  

[KeithJess 0]

53 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

I don't really know what you mean by "certificates" for name changes.  I know the method I described will work.  

This is what they have in Thailand to show you've changed your name. This is what we got for both kids and my wife for all of their name changes.

[pushbrk 12,243]

2 hours ago, KeithJess said:

This is what they have in Thailand to show you've changed your name. This is what we got for both kids and my wife for all of their name changes.

That will work fine.  So will what I suggested.  No need for both.