Hello everyone going thru HCMC for that pink slip we all want. Reading the instructions in Packet three has scrambled my mind. All the talk about this needs a photocopy and this needs a copy and this is duplicate. Well I put a list together that I hope is correct for all of us going thru HCMC. Everyones might be a little different depending on children and divorces, so I will post this list and if anyone wants to correct it or add to it, that would be so helpful for all of us. Here is the list:

1. A list of papers that will be turned in at window/not interview:
2. Appointment Letter (Original)
3. Visa Photos (4 per applicant) (Also have them for the medical exam)
4. MRV Payment Receipt (Original)
5. ID Card (CMND) (Original and Photocopy)
6. Household Registration Book (Original and Photocopy)
7. Passport (Original and Photocopy of all pages) (for each applicant)
8. DS-156 (In Duplicate) (2 originals for each appicant)
9. DS-156K (Original and Photocopy for each applicant?)
10. DS Part I (Photocopy for each applicant)
11. DS Part II (Original and Photocopy for each applicant)
12. Birth Certificate for Each Applicant (Original, Certified Translation, and copy of both)
13. Birth Certificate for Petitioner (Original and Notarized Copy) (May also Provide Passport/all pages)
14. Divorce Papers if applicable for Beneficiary (Original, Certified Translation, and copy of both)
15. Divorce Papers if applicable for Petitioner (Original Divorce Decree and Photocopy)
16. Single Status Papers for Beneficiary and Petitioner - Not Required (Original, Translation, and Photocopies)
17. Quit Claim From Ex (Original, Translation, and Photocopies of both)
18. Police Certificate (Original, Translation, and Photocopies of both)
19. Medical Exam Results (In Brown Envelope unopened)
20. I-134 (Original For each applicant)
21. Complete Tax Returns including W-2 (Photocopies or originals????)
22. Employer Letter (Original)
23. Paystubs (Photocopies or Originals????)
24. Bank Letter (Original)
25. Bank Statements (Photocopies or Originals)

Papers Needed During Interview (Originals or Photocopies???)
1. Boarding Passes
2. Visa Pages from Passport
3. Intinerary
4. Hotel Receipts
5. Bank Receipts from Withdrawals in VN
6. Handwritten Letters
7. Mail Receipts
8. Pictures of you together and at Engagement Ceremony
9. Pictures of chat
10. Phone Records
11. Emails
12. Chats

I hope this helps everyone, and I hope that everyone will add or correct anything that they feel necessary. I am just really confused as to what needs to have an original and how many copies. Good Luck to Everyone.

Mike and Huong

Mike,

To be on the safe side, make a photocopy of EVERYTHING that you have. (1) This will serve as a complete duplicate of the petition that you are presenting, and (2) if the photocopy is needed, she will have it, but if the original is needed, she will have it too.

From everything that I've read, besides the specifically stated "original AND photocopy" documents, the photocopy is fine for the interview, BUT the interviewing consular officer has the authority to request to see the original of ANY photocopy to verify its validity.

There are many of us in the same "UNKNOWN" boat right now and drifting at sea! I'm confident the answers will come and everything will tie together just fine. We are a tight group here, and I've never seen anyone let down.

STL_HCMC

Tax Return and W-2: photocopies is OK, I filed my Tax via Turbo-Tax, so the "original" would be what I print from their website (PDF). However, I sent Kim copied of my W-2 and original slip. 3 years worth of tax information.

Paystubs: ORIGINAL, I can always order them again from my Payroll Dept. or ADP.

Please put "Case Specific" next to 14, 15, 17

Add: Foreign Police Certificate for applicant who lived in a foreign country for over 6 months after his/her 16th birthday. List of some countries are excluded from this policy can be obtained from Pack-3 and Pack-4.

Single Status document IS REQUIRED for both petitioner and beneficiary.

Thanks,

chuck and kim

I am not sure how to edit a post and keep it at the top. If someone can give me some direction that would be great, and I think this should be put at the top for everyone to see. How do you suggest this????

Could someone tell me what exactly I need for the single status paper? I went to the Courthouse where I ordered my Divorce Decree and I also order a Single Status Paper. They typed everything for me stating my previous marriage, and that I have not married since. Is this what I need or do I need to type my own and have it notarized? If so is there an example of what this needs to say?

Can ANYONE offer more information about the single status document for the petitioner? This is news to me and I wasn't aware of this at all!!!!!!

Is this only required if the petitioner (US Citizen) was married before? I've never married and neither has my fiancee.

We obtained the single status document from the Vietnamese side, but I'm VERY unsure of what is needed for myself (the petitioner).

Thanks!

STL_HCMC

I recall from several years ago that it was just that, a paper from the court where you live stating that you were free to marry.

I did some Googling tonight and did not see a lot about it. A few states did mention it in their websites. Nothing on the USCIS site. Most items on Google were talking about an alien marrying a citizen of country xxx.

I'll be curious to see the responses from those recently interviewed.

I thought you only need the "single status" paper for the man when he is going to get married in Vietnam as the requirement for the Vietnamese government to issue you a marriage certificate.

How is it feasible for us in the U.S. to prove that you are single via such a similar document. We have 50 states, we can be married anywhere in the U.S. so does it mean we have to get this paper from all the states? And just because we have one paper from one state, it does not mean that we are not married in another state. Unless the requirement is only from your state of residence. But you know how easy for a couple to married in Reno or Las Vegas, NV. I am very puzzled now with this new requirement that was not mentioned in the I-129F instruction nor in the packet 3 info that was posted earlier here.

Many thanks for your input.

Tony

Hi Everyone,

I too and puzzled and wondered if chuckandkim was referencing the single status document for the petitioner as part of the K-3 process (i.e. marrying in Vietnam).

Is a single status certification for the PETITIONER required for the K-1 visa process?

STL_HCMC

Single Status Certificate can be easily obtained at HCM Consulate for $50. If you are in HCM City, bring your passport and your fiance with you to the Consulate, request to see US Citizen Service Dept. Here you will pay $50 for the fee, then both of you will be interviewed seperately in one of those famous booths about WHY DO YOU NEED A SINGLE STATUS CERTIFICATE?

When you are done answering all the questions to the Consulate Officer, he/she will signed off your Single Status Certificate, then send you back to the Main office to have THE Consular "Manager" who will sign and seal your Single Status Certificate with an US Official Seal. DONE! UP you go!

If you are here in the STATES, go to your county courthouse, swear in, sign in front of a Judge or your county's office that you here declare yourself a FREE man/woman to be married. They will sign and seal your sworn statement. There you go, your very own Single Status Certificate.

Do not worry about obtaining 50 statements from 50 states. Only the very first marriage is consider LEGAL, all else after that one without a divorce decreed will be nulled, and deem to be invalid. So if you swear to the judge in your current residency (California) that you are single, but in fact you are married in New York. Guess what? If you get married in CA, your marriage is a fraud and illegal.

Furthermore, IF you lie, misrepresent your current single status to the States Department, the Consulate, and any of those under DHS, you know how easy they can find that out? You can very much forget about bring your fiance here in the STATES.

In conclusion, what Mike has stated here:

" I went to the Courthouse where I ordered my Divorce Decree and I also order a Single Status Paper. They typed everything for me stating my previous marriage, and that I have not married since. "

Simple and your courthouse in the US can do that for a small fee, or HCM Consulate can do that for $50.

Everything I stated here is based on my own experience. YMMV. Kim and I did not get married in VN, however, we both obtained our Single Status Certificate and those documents were included in our I-129F and through out the K-1 Visa process. It was a must needed document to show that we both were single and free to be married once we arrive in the US to fullfil the condition of a K1 Visa. You can choose not to obtain one (USC) and I do not know what would happen if you don't have one, but for a Vietnam National who applies for K1, it is a MUST have in her application to the Consulate.

Hope this clears up some confusion, or may start new ones...

Love,

Chuck and Kim

I did go to the courthouse, but I did swear in or give them a statement. I went to the register of wills office where you apply for your marriage certificate. I told her I needed a Single Status Paper, she said ok that will be $10, and she took my name and some other information to look me up on their system. She said we will mail it to you in a day or so. I received it in the mail, but am not sure if this is what they require. In packet 3 it states that the single status paper is required, but does not specify if this is for both the petitioner and beneficiary or just for the beneficiary. We wanted to do this, because in our engagement pics, she is wearing a wedding dress we bought in VN, as her parents wanted her to wear since they cannot be here for our wedding. So I wanted to provide this to make sure they understand that we did not get married.

This issue about the "wedding" or "engagement" has been discussed before.
Your case: fiance wore a "wedding" dress at your engagement ceremony. Doesn't matter, you can wear anything you want. You can even have an official to administer your wedding vows. BUT without the Marriage License Certificate, everything you did just a formality.

Some people HAVE TO have the WEDDING Ceremony prior to the arrival in the US under K1 Visa. Oximoron???? Nope, for religious reason, for traditional values, some had to do that way. Just have a full blown wedding but never registered with the Vietnamese Government. When they arrive in the US, they then have their Legal Wedding/Marriage session.

So, your thinking is on the right track when you want to cover all your basis by having the Single Status Certificate for BOTH of you. Just in case. They didn't ask for specifically on the P3. BUT we are playing OFFENSIVELY against them Get it ready, only costs you $10? Good deal!

Hope you understand what i'm blah-blah-blahing here

Just in case I went to the State of Oregon Vital Records and for 20.00 they did a Five year Record search for any Marriages or Pending Marriages. Took 10 Min. Even though It does not state that the Petitioner needs to have this done don't want to see Van get a Blue Slip cause of this. Better to be Safe.

Robert & Van,

I wrote an email to the US Consulate in HCMC about this, but haven't heard back yet.

Did you physically go to the office to request this, or were you able to request this via the internet?

I'm wondering if certification like this could be obtained by a designated power of attorney?

STL_HCMC

First I called Oregon Vital Records And to see if they even do such a search, And they did. I went to there office and Had it done the same day. I do not know if you are able to do it over the internet.

Internet? Highly doubt it...

Robert & Van,

Thanks for the info. I'll have my family in St. Louis give this a try to see what can be obtained with a power of attorney. I'd like to at least try to avoid the $$ charge to have it done at the US Consulate in HCMC. Already have to pay $30.00 just to have my I-134 notarized there.

STL_HCMC

30 bucks to notorize? what a rip off

Coz, G. Dubya said so!