| Most people find the process of preparing their | | | | Again, you should bring your original marriage certificate |
| immigration law case to be very difficult and at best | | | | with you. File only a copy with USCIS and bring the |
| nerve-racking. To help make the situation a little less | | | | original to the interview with you. If you get married in |
| stressful, I have created a basic checklist of | | | | the US and do not have a copy or certified copy of |
| immigration related documents that any experienced | | | | the marriage license, you can obtain a certified copy at |
| immigration law attorney will ask you for when starting | | | | The exact link is |
| your immigration case. This checklist of basic | | | | 5. If your country issues these, a family certificate that |
| documents should also be used by individuals who are | | | | lists you, your spouse and all children (if applicable to |
| filing their own immigration case. | | | | you). |
| For Immigrants or those hoping to Immigrate to the US: | | | | 6. Divorce Certificate(s) if applicable with translation, or |
| 1. Your passport including current non-expired passport | | | | death certificate and English translation if spouse is |
| and any old passports, if possible keep the old | | | | deceased. Again, bring the original with you but file only |
| passport when renewing it. If you must provide your | | | | a copy with USCIS. |
| old passport to get a newly issued one, then make a | | | | 7. Birth certificates and passports for each child and |
| copy of the expired passport including the biographic | | | | spouse. Birth certificates must all be translated as |
| page and any stamped pages confirming your travel, | | | | explained above in item #3. These are needed to |
| to keep with you in case you need it later on. | | | | confirm exact identity of each person, their exact |
| 2. Your I-94 card or I-94W card. The I-94 card is on a | | | | name spelling, etc. Because USCIS will rely on the |
| white card that must be completed by you before | | | | spelling on the Birth Certificate instead of the person's |
| entry into the US. The I-94W (also called visa waiver) | | | | passport, you want to be sure that the translation is |
| is a card that looks like the I-94 card but it is green in | | | | correct as to the exact spelling of each person's |
| color. Each family member should have their own card. | | | | name. |
| *It is important to note that under US immigration law, | | | | 8. If coming in on a B-1 business visitor visa, then bring |
| the expiration date on the I-94 or I-94W card is what | | | | with you your personal or company bank account |
| controls how long you can stay in the US without | | | | from your native country, any proof of ownership of a |
| requiring an extension or violating your visa stay in the | | | | business in your native country (if applicable), any |
| US. Some immigrants think that because they have a | | | | professional organizations you belong to, and a CV (i.e. |
| visa page in their passport that states that they have | | | | resume). This information will be useful if you plan on |
| a 5 year or 10 year visa, that they can remain in the | | | | filing an investor visa here in the US or other type of |
| US during that entire time without departing or requiring | | | | work visa, such as opening a business in the US similar |
| visa extensions or change of status. This is incorrect | | | | to the one overseas. |
| and will cause you to fall out of status. | | | | 9. If you hold a bachelor's degree from your foreign |
| *Also, please note that the I-94 or I-94W card is | | | | country, bring the actual college degree (copy is OK) |
| EXTREMELY important. You should make copies of | | | | and transcripts of classes completed from your school. |
| the card (front and back) and keep the original in a | | | | This information will be needed if you decide to apply |
| safe place. You will not be able to get a green card, | | | | for an H-1B visa or other type of work visa. |
| fiancee visa, work visa, or any other visa in the US | | | | 10. If you are already residing in the US and you file US |
| without proof of legal entry, which comes in the form | | | | income taxes, keep copies of every year that you file |
| of the I-94 or I-94W card. | | | | taxes. A copy can be obtained from IRS directly in |
| 3. Birth Certificate in the original native language and | | | | case you did not already keep copies. |
| attach a proper translation with correct translator's | | | | I hope that the above basic checklist will help you in |
| certificate, signature, etc. You should bring your Original | | | | gathering your basic documents needed to file any US |
| birth certificate with you. You should NOT file the | | | | immigration law case. Please note that for specific |
| original with immigration, as only a copy is needed, but | | | | case types, such as fiancee visas, work visas, |
| keep the original birth certificate in a safe place in case | | | | marriage green card cases, etc., additional documents |
| immigration wants to see the original. | | | | will be needed. A link has been provided below where |
| 4. If married, then a marriage certificate with translation. | | | | you can find more information on a specific case type. |