how did you come to US?

Hi Lionel, congratulations on your 10-year green card. A Certificate of Single Status is NOT required by USCIS for filing an F2A petition. However, some home countries require it before issuing or registering a marriage certificate especially if the marriage happens abroad. The key question is: which country will you be filing the marriage in? Requirements vary by country.

thank you @Chelsea Wright this was very insightful and helpful.

@lionel ronaldo can i ask? which country will you be filing the marriage in? Requirements vary by country.

it's Vietnam @Chelsea Wright

@lionel ronaldo Thanks for confirming, Lionel. In Vietnam, a Certificate of Single Status is usually required by the local People’s Committee before they will register or issue a marriage certificate with a foreigner. This requirement comes from Vietnamese civil law, not USCIS. For USCIS (F2A), what matters is that the final Vietnamese marriage certificate is legally issued and properly translated. One important detail so I can guide you better: will the marriage be registered entirely in Vietnam, or are you planning to register it later with a Vietnamese consulate abroad?

I'm thinking since I just moved to the US very recently, the local authorities haven't updated my profile that I already left the area. That said, I may still be considered a local instead of a foreigner, right? I don't really understand your last question @Chelsea Wright

@lionel ronaldo Thanks for clarifying, Lionel — I probably didn’t phrase that clearly. 😊 What I meant was just to understand where you plan to complete your marriage registration: Will it be entirely in Vietnam with the local People’s Committee, or Will you start in Vietnam but finalize or register it later through a Vietnamese consulate abroad? Knowing this makes a difference because the documents and steps USCIS will ultimately require for your F2A petition can vary slightly depending on where the marriage is officially recorded.

hi, it will be done completely in Vietnam @Chelsea Wright

@lionel ronaldo Thanks for clarifying, Lionel! That helps a lot. Since your marriage will be entirely in Vietnam, the key is to make sure the People’s Committee issues a legally recognized marriage certificate, and that you also get a certified translation for USCIS. This is what USCIS will use for your F2A petition, along with your proof of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship and any supporting evidence of the bona fide marriage. If you’d like, I can walk you step-by-step through the Vietnamese marriage process and how to prepare your documents properly for USCIS — it’s easier to do privately so nothing gets missed.

that being said, the Certificate of Single Status is not required to be filed before I travel to VN as long as I have the legally recognized marriage certificate from the VNese authority right? Oh, and I'm the green card holder sponsoring my spouse who is a VNese citizen. Not vice versa @Chelsea Wright

Thanks for clarifying, Lionel! Yes — as long as you have the legally recognized marriage certificate issued by the Vietnamese People’s Committee, you don’t need a separate Certificate of Single Status before traveling. ✅ Since you’re the green card holder sponsoring your spouse, the key for USCIS is that the marriage certificate is valid, properly translated, and that you can provide all supporting evidence for your F2A petition. If you want, I can walk you step-by-step on preparing the Vietnamese marriage documents and organizing everything for USCIS, privately — it usually makes the filing much smoother and avoids potential delays.

Let me know how you want to move forward

@Chelsea Wright Stop scamming people.

@ines ines That’s a serious accusation. I have never scammed anyone. I only share general information and personal experiences publicly, and I never promise outcomes or solicit payments here. Please stop spreading false claims.