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Case Stories
❌ EB-3 I-485 Denied - Missing Long-Form Birth Certificate Submitted After RFE Deadline
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❌ **Case Status: Denied**
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An I-485 adjustment of status application was denied because the applicant failed to provide an original long-form birth certificate in response to an RFE. The document was submitted after the RFE response deadline, rendering it inadmissible for that filing. The applicant is now weighing a Motion to Reopen versus refiling.
An EB-based I-485 was denied by USCIS under INA 245 and 8 CFR 103.2(b)(11) and (12) for failure to establish eligibility due to a missing original long-form birth certificate. An RFE was issued requesting this document, but the applicant submitted the original birth certificate after the RFE response deadline had passed. USCIS does not consider evidence submitted after the RFE deadline, resulting in a formal denial. The applicant is now exploring remedies: filing a Motion to Reopen (Form I-290B) or refiling a new I-485.
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**[📎 View Original Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/comments/1tcxayb/i485_denied/)**
*Source: Reddit I-485 EB*
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*This post was automatically curated from online sources to share real case experiences with the community.*
RFE deadlines are strictly enforced — evidence submitted even one day late is treated as if never submitted, per 8 CFR 103.2(b)(11). For cases in this situation, a Motion to Reopen (Form I-290B) must be filed within 30 days of the denial notice (33 days if received by mail) and requires demonstrating the evidence was actually timely or showing exceptional circumstances. If the priority date remains current and the petitioner's I-140 is still valid, refiling a new I-485 is often the cleaner path, though it incurs new filing fees (~$1,440). Cases denied purely on procedural documentation grounds — not substantive ineligibility — have a reasonably high success rate when refiled with complete documentation. Always track the priority date cutoff window carefully when deciding between MTR and refile timelines.