RFE help!

[T and M 1]

So they must have reached our filing date (26 February) because we received an RFE in the mail yesterday. Basically, they want three signed affadavits from colleagues of mine swearing to our bona fide relationship and one signed affadavit from me explaining how we met.

We also have to provide further proof of marriage.

Got the affadavits and going to a solicitor today, but what's this evidence? We are thinking of sending a few pictures of the wedding. What else should we send???

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

So they must have reached our filing date (26 February) because we received an RFE in the mail yesterday. Basically, they want three signed affadavits from colleagues of mine swearing to our bona fide relationship and one signed affadavit from me explaining how we met.

We also have to provide further proof of marriage.

Got the affadavits and going to a solicitor today, but what's this evidence? We are thinking of sending a few pictures of the wedding. What else should we send???

Thats what I did and they sent back the pictures. They weren't professional ones, just ones that people had taken.

My affidavit was FOUR pages long. I gave then the WHOLE lowdown as to how we met, when he proposed, travels we have had together.

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Thomas -- I got the exact same RFE last year. Let me go dig up my post on this...

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

Okay, this was the post:

Just an update -- we got the NOA2 today! What a relief. I spent the whole weekend obsessing about the adequacy of what we submitted, and I guess it did the trick because I am the proud owner of a shiny new NOA2!

Just for info for others who might be going down the same route, here is my cover letter detailing what went in:

As per your letter of 12 April 2007, I enclose the following to complete my petition:

· Sworn affidavit signed by myself on 16 April 2007 explaining how my spouse and I met and the background leading up to our marriage on 29 December 2006, and providing information on how my former spouse and I terminated our relationship;

· Sworn affidavits from [deleted -- 3 colleagues of mine], swearing to the bona fides of my relationship with the beneficiary and how this knowledge was obtained;

· Photocopies of the following documents, showing that the beneficiary and I maintain a relationship and residence together:

o Seventeen (17) photographs showing the beneficiary, myself, and members of my and the beneficiary's families together at times dating between May 2006 and February 2007, including our wedding;

o Photocopy of our wedding reception invitation at my parents' home on 30 December 2006;

o Twelve (12) cards and notes celebrating our engagement and wedding from both families, friends and work colleagues;

o Final gas bill in beneficiary's name dated 1 September 2006 showing both his old and new address;

o Beneficiary's Capital One Visa statement dated 14 February 2007, showing joint address;

o Letter from Islington Council to beneficiary dated 12 December 2006 regarding his move to joint address and adding him to the Council Tax;

o Beneficiary's Abbey National bank account statement dated 12 December 2006, showing joint address;

o Beneficiary's motorcycle insurance policy note from [insurer name deleted], dated 10 April 2007, showing joint address;

o Petitioner's NHS medical card in married name, showing joint address;

o 2007/08 council tax bill for joint address from Islington Council in petitioner's former name – we have notified the council of the beneficiary's residence but this has not been reflected, but is being rectified;

o BT bill dated 7 March 2007 in petitioner's former name, showing joint address;

o Thames Water bill dated 1 April 2007 in petitioner's former name, showing joint address;

o TV licensing renewal notice for 1 May 2007 – 20 April 2008 in petitioner's former name, showing joint address.

I made it clear in my own statement on our relationship that we do not currently have or intend to have any joint community property whilst we remain in the UK, and that Bruce is not on any of the bills as I moved into the flat first. I also was worried because, for expediency's sake, I didn't have the affidavits notarised, but had our signatures verified by my company's in-house lawyer who did it for free (well, I have promised her a mojito at a company drinks event next week!).

Anyway, crisis averted, and we're back on track. Thanks to all for listening to me vent, and I hope the info above is useful to other VJers.

Oh, and my personal affidavit as to how Bruce and I met, and how my previous marriage ended, was only about a page and a half long. Poiteen and I both have sample affidavits for other people to fill out to attest to your marital bona fides. I'd find mine right now, but I have to get to a doctor's appointment.

Take a deep breath. This is going to be just fine.

Edited May 16, 2008 by elmcitymaven

[Otto 83]

So they must have reached our filing date (26 February) because we received an RFE in the mail yesterday. Basically, they want three signed affadavits from colleagues of mine swearing to our bona fide relationship and one signed affadavit from me explaining how we met.

We also have to provide further proof of marriage.

Got the affadavits and going to a solicitor today, but what's this evidence? We are thinking of sending a few pictures of the wedding. What else should we send???

Suggestions from the Guides...photos are usually considered secondary evidance.

Note: Evidence of a Bonifide Marriage

1. Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2. A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3. Documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources; or

4. Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, the petitioner, and your spouse together; or

5. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bonafides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that theres an ongoing marital union.

[T and M 1]

This is all very good information...thank you.

What does this mean:

"Affidavits should be suported, if possible, by one or more types of documentary evidence listed in this paragraph."

There are no documents listed in the paragraph!!!

[mrssmith 0]

Thomas F this is the same RFE we recieved and i only returned the 3 affidavits from 3rd parties and my own affidavit all signed in front of a solicitor. No further documentation, because to be honest i didn't read it properly and it got approved 2 days after they recieved the evidence back.

[elmcitymaven 9,711]

This is all very good information...thank you.

What does this mean:

"Affidavits should be suported, if possible, by one or more types of documentary evidence listed in this paragraph."

There are no documents listed in the paragraph!!!

Typical. Just put in the sort of stuff like I did -- proof of joint residence, any commingling of assets, photos, etc. Focus on the words "if possible" -- if there is nothing to support, then you can't send anything. Really, I find that weird -- how would someone provide documentary evidence to knowing your marriage is bona fide beyond the affidavit itself? "And this is the picture I took of myself with Thomas and Milena in their bedroom... and this is me talking to them about how they filed a joint tax return..."

Sometimes, I really love the Embassy. What a bunch of loveable kooks! I just read mrssmith's reply, and I agree: I don't think you really can provide documentary evidence to this sort of affidavit anyway. If I wasn't at work, I'd go into my files and find my own RFE to see if mine said the same thing.

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I know you've already got the affidavit, but just in case it helps, here's the template of the one that I sent.

Basically in my affidavit, I tried to refer to as many things as i had documentary evidence for, for example:

I state that we moved in together in the affidavit, and include a photocopy of our tenancy agreement

I state that my parents met my OH's mum, I include pictures of the dinner we all had together

etc. etc.

[T and M 1]

I know you've already got the affidavit, but just in case it helps, here's the template of the one that I sent.

Basically in my affidavit, I tried to refer to as many things as i had documentary evidence for, for example:

I state that we moved in together in the affidavit, and include a photocopy of our tenancy agreement

I state that my parents met my OH's mum, I include pictures of the dinner we all had together

etc. etc.

I LOVE VJ. You guys are the best!!!

Honestly, where else could you find out that mrssmith didn't send any documentation do to misreading the letter and she got approved anyway! You're the best!

I have a few documents I will send off (joint bank accounts and water bill), along with the 3 affidavits plus my affidavit. Will wait (impatiently) for the Packet 3 at that point!

[mrssmith 0]

Thomas F, You should hear from them within a week i should imagine, We posted ours just normal 1st class on Tuesday 6th May, they approved it on Friday May 9th and we recieved the approval in the mail on Tuesday 13th May. Therefore took a week from posting to recieve the NOA2

[VisaJourneyLady 33]

I made the exact same prediction in the DCF thread. Don't worry Thomas, you're on the final stretch now.

[T and M 1]

I made the exact same prediction in the DCF thread. Don't worry Thomas, you're on the final stretch now.

Seriously, thank you all for your support. Something small like this could have sent us for a whirl, but your comments have helped me take it in stride! Just to clarify, if we sent it tomorrow (Saturday, the 17th), we are likely to hear something back by Monday, the 19th. That would be NOA2, I think, no? And Packet 3 should arrive 5-10 business days later, no?

The funny thing is that we have all the materials for Packet 3 downloaded and ready to send. Can we send them when we receive NOA2 or must we wait to receive Packet 3 and return the originals that they send us?

Definitely the home stretch. And it feels good (fingers crossed).

[mrssmith 0]

Thomas F just to let you know that we recieved our Packet 3 today post marked the 15/05 so quicker than i was expecting only 4 days after recieving the NOA2.

The only problem i see with you sending the downloaded packet 3 back before actually recieving the hard copy is that there was no case number on the NOA2 only in the actual packet 3.... Therefore they may not link it up with your file?

Let us know how you get on.