Documents naturally just get lost over time. If you can’t find something required for your green card application in Mississippi, it’s crucial that you get your hands on an official copy of what you need.
Why do these documents tend to be hard to find?
Everybody loses track of these types of documents at some point or another simply because life is hectic. It often involves changing residences multiple times, and a piece of paper is an easy thing to overlook – or forget which pile in which drawer you’ve stuffed it in.
Unfortunately, you sometimes won’t even be able to find a duplicate of the document you’re after. If that happens, it’s helpful to know which documents you can use to substitute for another.
Documents that are notoriously hard to find
The birth certificate is near the top of the list of immigration documents that get lost. This is needed for both spouses in the case of a marriage green card or both relatives if it’s a family green card.
Other crucial documents that are commonly lost include:
- Marriage certificate
- Financial documents
- Divorce papers
- Police clearance certificate
- Military records
Bear in mind that some documents like marriage certificates are only required when applicable. It all depends on the type of green card you’re applying for. But for the most part, whether it’s a marriage or family-based green card, the document requirements are largely identical.
If you can’t find a document you need, the important part is learning how to find it. The easiest and most reliable way is to run a quick online search, but you might have to make some phone calls.
With a birth certificate, you’ll want to contact the hospital where you were born. Marriage certificates can usually be tracked down by getting in touch with the auditor in the county where the marriage license was filed.
