Alect

I am filling out the I-130 and in the instructions it says where
documents are required to prove the sponsor's eligibility to file,
originals must be provided plus one copy.

Lower it says that to prove US citizenship the sponsor must provide
either birth certificate or passport.

Now there is now way we want to send my wife's passport to the USCIS -
she can't travel for the entire processing period, and there is a
chance they will lose it.

Her Birth certificate is not readily available.

My questions is are we faced with sending in her passport? And do they
keep it until the AOS interview (ie 9-12 months)?

P.S. Other alternatives (eg church records, school records, census
records or affidavits) are impractical too.

Mrraveltay

AlecT wrote:

    > I am filling out the I-130 and in the instructions it says where
    > documents are required to prove the sponsor's eligibility to file,
    > originals must be provided plus one copy.
    >
    > Lower it says that to prove US citizenship the sponsor must provide
    > either birth certificate or passport.
    >
    > Now there is now way we want to send my wife's passport to the USCIS -
    > she can't travel for the entire processing period, and there is a
    > chance they will lose it.
    >
    > Her Birth certificate is not readily available.
    >
    > My questions is are we faced with sending in her passport? And do they
    > keep it until the AOS interview (ie 9-12 months)?
    >
    > P.S. Other alternatives (eg church records, school records, census
    > records or affidavits) are impractical too.

You can probably get a copy of her birth certificate in a week or two,
or you could probably just send a copy of the passport. Original docs
are NOT required for the petition filing.