Hello. I'm Daniel, A US citizen married one year this month and living in China with my wife during the process. She has an interview next month and I'm really concerned that I didn't complete the Affidavit of Support properly. I'm a teacher and will be making a decent income when we go to the states. However, while I'm in China, I don't have much to show for financial support. My mother is sponsoring us, which should work out fine. I'm not concerned there. I'm concerned about completing the form properly and providing all of the evidence I need. I get very mixed up with all of the terms, definitions and requirements. Could someone read my questions below and direct me to the proper forum or answer them here?

1. Should I have completed form Affidavit of Support as sponsor or co-sponsor since my mother also completed the form as co-sponsor?
2. Do I need to notarize the Affidavit of support that I completed here in China? If so how do I do that?
3. Can I sign the Affidavit of Support now or do officials have to witness the signing during the appointment? Wouldn’t this mean that I have to be there at the appointment with Cindy?
4. I have written letters explaining how I plan to provide support and explaining why I'm missing last year's tax return. Do these letters need to be notarized?
5. Do I need to provide “evidence to be presented to meet public charge” if I’m relying on my mother as co-sponsor? Does my mother need to provide such evidence?
6. Should I or my mother write a letter expressing willingness to deposit a bond? Does this letter need to be notarized?

Some of these questions may sound silly but I just want this process to go as smoothly as possible.

Thanks,
Daniel

A few things:

Join "A Candle for Love" that is the board that specializes in China immigrations issues. http://candleforlove.com Their FAQ, is second to None with regards to the visa process through that very tough consulate in Guangzhou. Read all that you can there. CFL is THE proper forum to ask questions relating to immigrations from China.

Too answer questions.

1) Since you are doing CR-1 visa you the petitioner MUST file I-864 affidavit of support, you can use someone like mother as a joint sponsor. Two very big pitfalls of the I-864 are USA DOMICILE, and IRS Returns, both are required. You need to prove that you either maintained USA Domicile as well as have been filing returns while living out of the country, you may be exempt from paying taxes, but are not exempt from filing returns.

2) CR-1 visa uses I-864 Affidavit of support, which does not need to be notarized.

3) I-864 can be signed now, no witness needed.

4) Again no notarization of the letters needed, anything attached to the I-864 is sworn to be true and accurate by the act of signing the I-864.

5) Your mother will be providing an I-864 too, as well as required financial evidence (IRS returns (1040,W2,1099) or simple tax transcripts) as well as employer letter, and pay stubs.

6) A bond is not specified in the instructions for I-864, Guangzhou is most concerned with income.

Welcome To VJ.

Hello and welcome to VJ.

Hello & Welcome to VJ

Welcome and good luck!!!

I send my warmest thanks to DanandYu for answering my questions and for everyone welcoming me. I found answers on the Candle for Love site and this one also. I feel a bit more relieved that I have most of what I need and am less confused. It turns out I'm not CR1 as I put in my profile but DCF since I'm married and live in China with my wife. Thanks again everyone.

Daniel