2 last minute questions about the I-129F package

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

Sorry to ask so many questions since signing on here...

I am sending a Notarized copy of my I-134 (and copies of all evidence) along with my I-129F (just becuz I figure its even more info) .

My question... even the Notary Public did not know what to put in the blank at the bottom that says " at ___________"

Is this a spot for the time it was notarized? the Country? the city? I cant find this info anywhere on the web.

Second, I got "passport" photos taken of myself to send in with the I-129F. Now, as I prep them for sending, I notice that they are more "distant" than my actual passport photo, and those of my Fiancee. It says they need to be one inch from chin to top og head, and mine is just under that.... I got these taken at Walgreens, which advertises the official service, so you would think they would know what they are doing!? Should I get them retaken?

Thanks for any stress relief you can offer.

I am going to help SOOO many people on this site once I marry my fiancee, to repay all the help this site has already given me.

[ray77755 0]

You do not need to send I-134 with your original application.

[Zee Bee 61]

The I-134 is not needed by USCIS. The only point when it is needed is at the interview.

As for the passport photos, if there is a glaring difference I would have them taken again. If it is just a matter of being just under an inch, I would not worry about it.

[KimandRuss 0]

Here are the guidelines for the photos.

Yes the time should go in that slot but i'm sure it doesn't really matter.

It's probably a waste sending in your I134 now. They dont care about it at uscis. You will need to do it again and have it notorized after you receive packet 3 (information packet) from the Consulate.

Most Consulates follow the financial guidelines for the I-864 (that you file at AOS) since it will have to be done but, New Zealand is very lax when it comes to the I-134. They care more about the NZ citizen being able to support his/herself in the U.S. They even ask to see your CV/Resume at the interview.

There is much talk recently in the NZ thread regarding that.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

If you feel the photos are way out of line, I would make Walgreens do them over for free. Show them the rules.

Don't send I-134 now. Not needed and will be extra clutter in the file. You will have to do another closer to the interview time.

But here's two answers to the notary question I have seen:

at 1:30pm

at XYZ Bank, Smalltown, TX. (that's what my notary at the bank did) and it wasn't rejected at the Embassy.

I don't think it matters as long as they sign and stamp it with their notary stamp.

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

Here are the guidelines for the photos.

Yes the time should go in that slot but i'm sure it doesn't really matter.

It's probably a waste sending in your I134 now. They dont care about it at uscis. You will need to do it again and have it notorized after you receive packet 3 (information packet) from the Consulate.

Most Consulates follow the financial guidelines for the I-864 (that you file at AOS) since it will have to be done but, New Zealand is very lax when it comes to the I-134. They care more about the NZ citizen being able to support his/herself in the U.S. They even ask to see your CV/Resume at the interview.

There is much talk recently in the NZ thread regarding that.

Okay, now you REALLY have me terrified. I make $36,000 a year, plenty above the 125% poverty... and I have the employer letter, the bank letter, and all that. HOWEVER, I am currently supporting my Fiancee in NZ right now. She had to quit her job, so she came to visit me for 3 months. She has just returned and is living with her brother, and I am paying her living expenses. We just figured that we would rather have her free to work on the visa, and not have to stress about getting some type of temp job that she may have to quit soon. Plus she has no transportation. Anyway, w/o giving our life story... how much is this going to make it hard for the NZ Visa?

[Moto-zutto 0]

Sorry to ask so many questions since signing on here...

I am sending a Notarized copy of my I-134 (and copies of all evidence) along with my I-129F (just becuz I figure its even more info) .

My question... even the Notary Public did not know what to put in the blank at the bottom that says " at ___________"

Is this a spot for the time it was notarized? the Country? the city? I cant find this info anywhere on the web.

Second, I got "passport" photos taken of myself to send in with the I-129F. Now, as I prep them for sending, I notice that they are more "distant" than my actual passport photo, and those of my Fiancee. It says they need to be one inch from chin to top og head, and mine is just under that.... I got these taken at Walgreens, which advertises the official service, so you would think they would know what they are doing!? Should I get them retaken?

Thanks for any stress relief you can offer.

I am going to help SOOO many people on this site once I marry my fiancee, to repay all the help this site has already given me.

everyone is right.... you don't send the I-134 with the I-129F. you send it to your Fiance for the interview. I used walgreens as well for my pictures, I thought there was a booth to go into or something, they took my picture with a cheap digital camera using the passport option, and they did look different that the ones USCIS says to use, but I kept them in the little blud folder that walgreens provided, and it said official passport size photos or something like that, and they took it just fine. there should be no worries on the walgreens photos, just keep them in the little blue envelope they give you

[KimandRuss 0]

Okay, now you REALLY have me terrified. I make $36,000 a year, plenty above the 125% poverty... and I have the employer letter, the bank letter, and all that. HOWEVER, I am currently supporting my Fiancee in NZ right now. She had to quit her job, so she came to visit me for 3 months. She has just returned and is living with her brother, and I am paying her living expenses. We just figured that we would rather have her free to work on the visa, and not have to stress about getting some type of temp job that she may have to quit soon. Plus she has no transportation. Anyway, w/o giving our life story... how much is this going to make it hard for the NZ Visa?

No need to worry. They are just going to want to know what her background is in and what she plans on doing when she gets to the States.

Russell has his masters in Engineering Geology and hasnt worked in his field in 2 years because he was either here in the US with me or waiting in NZ.

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

No need to worry. They are just going to want to know what her background is in and what she plans on doing when she gets to the States.

Russell has his masters in Engineering Geology and hasnt worked in his field in 2 years because he was either here in the US with me or waiting in NZ.

Whew! Genna has a strong background in Electronics Retail, so I'm sure she can get a job at numerous locations here in the US if she needs to. I just prefer to support her in NZ for now so we can be free to spend my free time online together.

Thanks again for all who replied so quickly. I guess I will not send in the I-134 copy.

As for the rest of the package, I think its time to stop worrying and just send it.

This site is a lifesaver.

[Devkpaik 1]

No need to worry. They are just going to want to know what her background is in and what she plans on doing when she gets to the States.

Russell has his masters in Engineering Geology and hasnt worked in his field in 2 years because he was either here in the US with me or waiting in NZ.

Whew! Genna has a strong background in Electronics Retail, so I'm sure she can get a job at numerous locations here in the US if she needs to. I just prefer to support her in NZ for now so we can be free to spend my free time online together.

Thanks again for all who replied so quickly. I guess I will not send in the I-134 copy.

As for the rest of the package, I think its time to stop worrying and just send it.

This site is a lifesaver.

Agreed. No need to stress too much about the financial side of the process right now. Just hurry and send your petition in so you can get the process started!

Then you can start worrying about the financial aspect, however you will have a LOT of time to figure it out between now and her interview.

Although there's no need to worry about her finances, as they don't care about that.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Sorry to ask so many questions since signing on here...

I am sending a Notarized copy of my I-134 (and copies of all evidence) along with my I-129F (just becuz I figure its even more info) .

My question... even the Notary Public did not know what to put in the blank at the bottom that says " at ___________"

Is this a spot for the time it was notarized? the Country? the city? I cant find this info anywhere on the web.

Second, I got "passport" photos taken of myself to send in with the I-129F. Now, as I prep them for sending, I notice that they are more "distant" than my actual passport photo, and those of my Fiancee. It says they need to be one inch from chin to top og head, and mine is just under that.... I got these taken at Walgreens, which advertises the official service, so you would think they would know what they are doing!? Should I get them retaken?

Thanks for any stress relief you can offer.

I am going to help SOOO many people on this site once I marry my fiancee, to repay all the help this site has already given me.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Sorry to ask so many questions since signing on here...

I am sending a Notarized copy of my I-134 (and copies of all evidence) along with my I-129F (just becuz I figure its even more info) .

My question... even the Notary Public did not know what to put in the blank at the bottom that says " at ___________"

Is this a spot for the time it was notarized? the Country? the city? I cant find this info anywhere on the web.

Second, I got "passport" photos taken of myself to send in with the I-129F. Now, as I prep them for sending, I notice that they are more "distant" than my actual passport photo, and those of my Fiancee. It says they need to be one inch from chin to top og head, and mine is just under that.... I got these taken at Walgreens, which advertises the official service, so you would think they would know what they are doing!? Should I get them retaken?

Thanks for any stress relief you can offer.

I am going to help SOOO many people on this site once I marry my fiancee, to repay all the help this site has already given me.

DON'T send the I-134. It is not needed and will be tossed in the trash. Your I-134 should be completed much closer to your interview date, that is when you will need it. Where it says "at" write in the city and state where the notary functions from their office or where they are when they witness it.

Your photos are fine. I took my fiancee's photo and those of her two sons with a digital camera in the portrait mode in front of a blank white wall in her apartment. I went to a local photo shop in Ukraine and printed a bunch of each and cut them to the required 5cm x 5cm size. Our petition was approved in 61 days and our interview was without questions. As long as the photos meet the qualifications (or are at least close) you will have no problem. Make a BUNCH of them. You will need about 10 or so before the process is over. You will need 3 for the medical interview and two for the interview and you will probably need others to get police certificates, etc., and more when you file for AOS after you are married, so stock up!

Gary

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

DON'T send the I-134. It is not needed and will be tossed in the trash. Your I-134 should be completed much closer to your interview date, that is when you will need it. Where it says "at" write in the city and state where the notary functions from their office or where they are when they witness it.

Your photos are fine. I took my fiancee's photo and those of her two sons with a digital camera in the portrait mode in front of a blank white wall in her apartment. I went to a local photo shop in Ukraine and printed a bunch of each and cut them to the required 5cm x 5cm size. Our petition was approved in 61 days and our interview was without questions. As long as the photos meet the qualifications (or are at least close) you will have no problem. Make a BUNCH of them. You will need about 10 or so before the process is over. You will need 3 for the medical interview and two for the interview and you will probably need others to get police certificates, etc., and more when you file for AOS after you are married, so stock up!

Gary

Wow, your timeline gives me such hope. Thanks for the photo info! I should invest some money in Walgreens stock, I have spent so much on their photo services lately. Actually though, I highly recommend Walgreens to anyone else going through this process. They can make copies of just about any type of photo, the services are not too pricey, and its all done very quickly.

[TBoneTX 47,153]

On the advice of an immigration attorney, I included my I-134 with my I-129F filing. The I-134, although perhaps not needed by USCIS, was NOT thrown in the trash. My consulate -- in their only reasonable action during the whole process -- said that they would accept it. Your embassy's policy may differ. Closer to interview time, I typed a one-page "refresher sheet" of my financial status ("this account was closed; these funds were shifted; my retirement account is now $____, etc.), reproduced the official language and signature-lines that appeared on the I-134, signed it before a notary, and sent it to my fiancee to take to the interview.

For me, this worked well, because all of the heavy paperwork was done in advance. Check with your embassy regarding their policy. Although USCIS is inefficient, the organization would find itself in a heap of official trouble if their personnel "trashed" anything that you sent them, especially something on governmental forms like an I-134.

My opinion. The opinions of others may differ.

Edited August 30, 2008 by TBoneTX