Even after reading on both of them, I still really can't find a clear difference between the two- which one should I use, does it matter? I will be filling one out, and my father will be doing one as our Co-sponsor. Which one do we use, do we use the same one? Do we each use different ones?

If you're filing for a CR1/IR1 Visa, you will need to fill in form I-864. If you're filing for K1/K3 visa, you will file I-134. However, you will be mailed those one of those two forms to complete when the time comes.

First you have to decide which Visa you are going to apply for - which "track" you will take.
The K-1 is the quickest and easiest - your Fiancé comes to the States on a 90 day visa. She gets a chance to see the place and then you either get married or she returns. Minimal requirements include an I-134 (which I understand does not require notarization any longer).

I'm actually trying to pursue both the K3 and IR-1/CR-1 at the same time. I'm expecting the K3 to go more quickly, but if the IR-1/CR-1 looks like it's not very far behind then we would choose that in favor of the K3. So does this mean I'll need to file both an I-134 and I-864? Also, I'm curious if I continue following the steps for the I-130, but she gets the K3, what happens? DCF was so much simpler! lol

chrisepic,
If you're pursuing K3 use only form I-134, however, you don't need to fill it out yet until they mail it out to you.

livelovers,
If you're pursuing K3, your I-130 will be retained by USCIS and you will go forward with K3 only. Some posters wanted to abandon the K3 route, but, in order to that they had to contact USCIS. If you decide to follow up with CR1, then you forwarded an I-864 Fee Bill which is 384 dollars. Same thing with you, you need to wait for them to send the form out before you can file them.

My I-130 CR-1 was already well into processing at NVC before I filed the I-129F K-3.
Both are proceeding - there is no "precedence"
They both very well could end up at the Embassy.

I forgot to add that I intend to have both my I-130 and I-129F processed in parallel. When I did my I-130 I clearly stated in several places that I intended to pursue the consular option so I didn't want them to retain it. I figured that would be much quicker and cheaper then later filing the form to get them to forward it on to NVC. Whether or not it actually works remains to be seen though. But in any case, I'm assuming for now they will both end up at the embassy at some point.

My father (the Co-sponsor) will fill out the same type of form I do, right? The I-134?

No. He will fill in form I-134. You will not fill it because you don't meet the income requirements. The instructions on the form also asked for it to be notarized. Use infopass to schedule an appointment at the local district office to have it notarized. Just follow the instructions.

Is this true? The I-134 doesn't have to be notarized? I've been reading all day about this form and have yet to read anything of this nature.

Beameup: Where did you find this out? Thanks.

No. It's not true. As per instruction on the form itself, it asked for notarization by an official who holds authority on the case. Some consulate don't require it based on many posts by those who went through the process, however, on the instruction, it specifically mentioned to have it notarized. You need to schedule an infopass appointment and bring the required materials specified.

consolemaster,

I-134 can be notarized by any US notary public. One does not need to have a USCIS employee notarize it, and one does not need to have any of the associated documentation on hand. The notary is only verifying that the person signing the I-134 is who they claim to be.

Yodrak

Since you are filing for K1 and using a co-sponsor both you and your father will fill out an I-134 and have them notarized as well as supplying the appropriate supporting evidence. Where income is sufficient, asset related questions can be left blank. Normally it is not advised to leave questions blank but on the I-134 it is acceptable under these circumstances. Disclosing assets could prompt the adjudicator to ask for proof the assets exist. If they aren't needed to meet the income requirement it is best not to address them at all.

You do not need to wait for an I-134 to be mailed to you but it is prudent to sign it and provide supporting documentation dated as close to the actual interview time as practical. I've actually never heard of a Consulate or Embassy mailing an I-134. NVC mails I-864's to CR/IR petitioners though.

You do not "file" an I-134. You have it on hand to be handed over if and when it is asked for at interview time.

chrisepic,

I think you may find that not all embassies have the same requirements. Have you looked at the Manila interview packets?

http://usembassy.state.gov/manila/wwwh3023.html

As to who should fill out the I-134 (for a K visa), I've read of others having two, as in, your spouse/fiancee would submit your father's form at the interview, but also have yours ready in case it is requested. But I don't really know what they will accept in Manila. You might try searching the archives, or asking this question in the context of the Manila Embassy, or even in the "Manila Interview" thread. Maybe you can find others who have successfully gone through the same thing there.

Mike

Are you aware of the anecdotal evidence in this community of Manila's opinion of financial co-sponsors?

No, I would sure like to be enlightened. Please dont tell me she will be denied because I have a co-sponsor. I am working at a restaurant right now while I'm in school and I live off of school loans, too. I will be moving back home and actually living in an apartment on my father's estate and will be working for him part time while I continue school. I have three years left of school.

Should I be worried about these circumstances? I mean, a co-sponsor is a co-sponsor- I shouldn't get denied should I?

So you are saying, since I dont have adequate means of financial support right now, and will indeed be using a co-sponsor, they dont want to know anything about my financial standing, only my co-sponsor's? I was under the assumption that I would still have to do an I-134 myself?

Actually, K3 now- legal wedding in July in the PHI

Ok. That doesn't change the I-134 procedures. You would be well advised to fill out an I-134 and have it notarized. Since you are in the Philippines, you can get it notarized at the Embassy. Your father's I-134 can be notarized by any Notary in the USA. I use my insurance agent but banks have Notaries too. Given you are young and living abroad as a student, it is highly likely the financial documentation will be asked for at the interview.

Infopass is something you do with USCIS. They have no involvement with the I-134 whatsoever.

Okay. No, I am not in the Philippines now, I am in the US- so I will get it notarized in the US

You need to spend some time in the Philipines regional forum. Ask any questions about co-sponsorship among those members who have gone through THAT consulate - not London or China or whatever. Each consulate has unique requirements and stipulations, not the least of which is Manila.

I'm just going by the instructions given by the Embassy in Manila, Philippines in regard to filing the I-129F.
But, just to be on the safe® side, I would go ahead and have any notary public in the U.S. notarized it.

In the Philippines, attorneys do all notarizations and they now have been EXCLUDED - as of this year - from
being able to notarize any docs regarding U.S. Immigration. So, in that case any notarizations would have to
be done by an Embassy Official at a cost of $30 each. I assume that is the reason for the exclusion as well
as the fact that the I-864 Affidavit requires NO NOTARIZATION. Perhaps the I-134 is undergoing revision.