Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: what is a "copy" of the document for I-130 USCIS form ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: what is a "copy" of the document for I-130 USCIS form
Category: Miscellaneous
Asked by: mkor-ga
List Price: $8.00
Posted: 22 Jan 2005 18:06 PST
Expires: 21 Feb 2005 18:06 PST
Question ID: 461740
My wife who resides in US (and who got recently
naturalized as a US citizen) is filing for her parents
who are residing in Russia. We have a question on what
exactly a "copy" of a document mean. In partucular
the I-130 USCIS instruction lists among the required documents:

"A copy of the petitioner's birth certificate"

Would a clearly visible "regular" photocopy of this
document (issued in Russian), accompanied by a full
English translation (which the translator has
certified as complete and correct, and by the
translator's certification that he or she is competent
to translate the foreign language into English.) be
enough ?

OR 

the copy of this Russian document should be notarized
or certified in some way. 

If the latter who is recognized by USCIS to be
eligible for such notarization or certification for documents that we
have here in US and for the documents (e.g. a parents marrige
certificate) that they keep there in Russia.

Thanks a lot in advance.
Answer  
Subject: Re: what is a "copy" of the document for I-130 USCIS form
Answered By: justaskscott-ga on 22 Jan 2005 22:41 PST
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hello mkor,

At the outset, I should emphasize the disclaimer at the bottom of this
page, which indicates that answers and comments on Google Answers are
general information, and not intended to substitute for informed
professional legal advice.  If you need professional advice about
immigration law, you should contact a lawyer.

The following FAQ cites two regulations, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(4); 8 CFR
204.1(f), on the subjects of originals and copies of documents:

"How Do I Know If I Need Original Documents?"
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/hdiorig.htm

The links to those two regulations lead to:

"Sec. 103.2 Applications, petitions, and other documents.'
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-9985/slb-11621/slb-11701?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-8cfrsec1032

"Sec. 204.1 General information about immediate relative and
family-sponsored petitions. (Amended 3/26/96; 61 FR 13061)"
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/lpBin/lpext.dll/inserts/slb/slb-1/slb-9985/slb-12552/slb-12582?f=templates&fn=document-frame.htm#slb-8cfrsec2041

The first of those regulations refers to "an ordinary legible
photocopy."  The second refers to "legible, true copies of original
documents."

As to translations, page 1 of the current I-130 instructions states:

"Translations. Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a
full English translation that the translator has certified as complete
and correct, and by the translator's certification that he or she is
competent to translate the foreign language into English."

"I-130, Petition for Alien Relative" (Rev. 06/05/02, Fee Change 01/21/05)
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/files/i-130.pdf

8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) -- another subsection of the first regulation cited
above -- says:

"Translations. Any document containing foreign language submitted to
the Service shall be accompanied by a full English language
translation which the translator has certified as complete and
accurate, and by the translator's certification that he or she is
competent to translate from the foreign language into English."

And 8 CFR 204.1(f)(3) -- in the second regulation cited above -- says:

"Foreign language documents must be accompanied by an English
translation which has been certified by a competent translator."

Only a lawyer, or perhaps U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
can advise you as to whether these regulations support your course of
action.

While it's beyond the scope of your question, I should note that
adjacent subsections of these regulations -- under 8 CFR 103.2(b) and
8 CFR 204.1(f) -- have additional provisions concerning potential
requests for original documents.

Also, you may want to consider the following document.  It does not
appear to be accessible from a search on the agency's own website, and
therefore may or may not be current.

"Chapter 11. Evidence"
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/AFMChapter11-Evidence.pdf

- justaskscott


Search strategy:

Browsed USCIS site.

Searched on Google for:

site:uscis.gov "8 CFR 103.2(b)"
site:uscis.gov "8 CFR 204.1(f)"
mkor-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars

Comments  
There are no comments at this time.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy