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I married the love of my life who is not a US Citizen (yet).
When filing the I-130 form, do we have to provide the Original marriage certificate?
My husband's brother-in-law (now a US Citizen) says that when his wife filed his I-130, she provided the Original marriage certificate, and that providing Original marriage certificate is better than providing a Photocopy.
What is your experience? Provide the Original marriage certificate or photocopy?
You should submit a certified copy and keep your original. The certified copy should be notarized or sealed by the issuing authority. As an aside, do not submit the document issued by your church (if you married at a church). Submit a certified copy issued by a government agency showing that you were actually married.
If you choose to submit an uncertified copy, bring the original to the adjustment interview if the beneficiary is already inside the U.S.
If the beneficiary is outside the U.S., I strongly urge you to submit a certified copy so the consular officer doesn't ask your spouse for the original.
In any event, you don't have to submit the original. But you may be asked to show the original at some point during the process.
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