Not very much 'Bona Fida'

[Peachey_Yinka 0]

My hubby and I Eloped the first time I visited. His people know and are happy for us but most of my fam and friends don't know yet. We met on-line and had a quick courtship. Needless to say, we don't have very much 'Bona Fida'. Do we really need it? If so what are some other things we can use as evidence. I hope were not screwed.

[Dakine 26]

My hubby and I Eloped the first time I visited. His people know and are happy for us but most of my fam and friends don't know yet. We met on-line and had a quick courtship. Needless to say, we don't have very much 'Bona Fida'. Do we really need it? If so what are some other things we can use as evidence. I hope were not screwed.

You will be "screwed" if you don't have a lot of evidence of you guys having a bonafide marriage. Nigeria is one of the highest fraud countries in the immigration system.

You have to do better than the scammers and the scammers are good!

[Anh map 2,098]

My hubby and I Eloped the first time I visited. His people know and are happy for us but most of my fam and friends don't know yet. We met on-line and had a quick courtship. Needless to say, we don't have very much 'Bona Fida'. Do we really need it? If so what are some other things we can use as evidence. I hope were not screwed.

You will be "screwed" if you don't have a lot of evidence of you guys having a bonafide marriage. Nigeria is one of the highest fraud countries in the immigration system.

You have to do better than the scammers and the scammers are good!

The bona fides are the essential evidence for the petition. You only need it for your petition to be successful.

As the intending immigrant is from the #1 fraud country for family based visas you have your work cut out for you.

[Peachey_Yinka 0]

My hubby and I Eloped the first time I visited. His people know and are happy for us but most of my fam and friends don't know yet. We met on-line and had a quick courtship. Needless to say, we don't have very much 'Bona Fida'. Do we really need it? If so what are some other things we can use as evidence. I hope were not screwed.

You will be "screwed" if you don't have a lot of evidence of you guys having a bonafide marriage. Nigeria is one of the highest fraud countries in the immigration system.

You have to do better than the scammers and the scammers are good!

K, so we need some. We have wedding and visit pics, are there another creative 'Bona Fide' articles that can be used? I am a first generation Nigerian-American. Will that make a difference? Shouldn't we be ok if were on the up and up though? Sorry about the random questions, were are just a bit intimidated by this process.

[Peachey_Yinka 0]

My hubby and I Eloped the first time I visited. His people know and are happy for us but most of my fam and friends don't know yet. We met on-line and had a quick courtship. Needless to say, we don't have very much 'Bona Fida'. Do we really need it? If so what are some other things we can use as evidence. I hope were not screwed.

You will be "screwed" if you don't have a lot of evidence of you guys having a bonafide marriage. Nigeria is one of the highest fraud countries in the immigration system.

You have to do better than the scammers and the scammers are good!

The bona fides are the essential evidence for the petition. You only need it for your petition to be successful.

As the intending immigrant is from the #1 fraud country for family based visas you have your work cut out for you.

You guys are scarring the hell out of me!

[Dakine 26]

My hubby and I Eloped the first time I visited. His people know and are happy for us but most of my fam and friends don't know yet. We met on-line and had a quick courtship. Needless to say, we don't have very much 'Bona Fida'. Do we really need it? If so what are some other things we can use as evidence. I hope were not screwed.

You will be "screwed" if you don't have a lot of evidence of you guys having a bonafide marriage. Nigeria is one of the highest fraud countries in the immigration system.

You have to do better than the scammers and the scammers are good!

The bona fides are the essential evidence for the petition. You only need it for your petition to be successful.

As the intending immigrant is from the #1 fraud country for family based visas you have your work cut out for you.

You guys are scarring the hell out of me!

Don't mean to scare you just make you aware you have a LOT of work to do to insure you get approval.

Multiple trips, joint bank account, life insurance, LOTS of communication records are some things that will help.

Hopefully hubby isn't younger than you! Makes it all the tougher for approval if he is.

Edited August 7, 2009 by Haole

[Peachey_Yinka 0]

You guys are scarring the hell out of me!

Don't mean to scare you just make you aware you have a LOT of work to do to insure you get approval.

Multiple trips, joint bank account, life insurance, LOTS of communication records are some things that will help.

Hopefully hubby isn't younger than you!

Should we wait to file till we have more or should we fill and get it along the way? He's 27 and I'm 26, I hope that helps.

Thank you so much for you honest advice.

Edited August 7, 2009 by Peachey_Yinka

[Dakine 26]

Age is GREAT!

If you don't already get a Long distance co like AT+T that keep monthly records of all calls. Call at least once a day. You can make short calls and use phone cards for longer calls. If you chat online do a couple screen prints with cams a month and print out at least 4 or 5 "juicy" chats a month.

Both of you do one snail mail a week. Cards also. Yeah sounds stupid with hi tech but it all counts.

Pictures are number one. If you don't have a LOT from your first trip make another trip and load up. Use 2 cameras. One digital and throw aways in case one is stolen or fails. Upload pics to a secure place every night. They are gold!

Mainly for the embassy interview. Doesn't hurt to "front load" some with the original petition.

Do a CR-1 [File I-130] K3s are not happening at this time.

[Penguin_ie 5,994]

It's good that you have photos and that at least his family know. I would tell your family asap and let them talk to your husband over webcam, letters etc, that way he gets to know them and knows stuff about them when it comes to the interview. Talk a lot about eachother's work and family etc so he knows things about your lfie when asked at interview. If you can manage another visit- or mroe than one- that would be great, and take photos with family and friends in the photo when you visit.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

If you have photos, email chats, and phone records from the inception of the relationship that is good. If you get put in AP and he gets a home visit neighbors and family memebers better know your full name and that he is married to you.

You said you eloped. I nigeria for a marriage to be legally binding it has to be posted for 30 days with pictures of you and him with name and birthdates. Did he do this? The investigation unit will take this into consideration.

[KDOR 1]

What do u mean its has to be posted for 30 days to be legally binding?

[Enlighten one :) 5]

Maybe 15 days??? I had 30 in my head. You have to post it at the state house/clerks' office or what ever they call it in there country. It's like a declaration or something. It was over 2 years ago. I do not remember specifics. Sorry. Money in Nigeria can get you around that minor detail to them.

What do u mean its has to be posted for 30 days to be legally binding?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

a civil wedding requires posting a bond at the registry. It is placed for 21 days before the marriage. To be legal this notice has to have been published. Here is the actual wording for the requirement

7. Whenever any persons desire to marry, one of the parties to the intended marriage shall sign and give to the registrar of the district in which the marriage is intended to Form A. take place a notice as in Form A in the First Schedule.

8. If the person giving such notice is unable to write or is insufficiently acquainted with the English language, or both, then it shall be sufficient if he place his mark or cross thereto in the presence of some literate person who shall attest the same as in Form B in the First Schedule.

9. Every registrar shall supply forms of Notice gratuitous to any persons applying for the same.

10. Upon receipt of such notice the registrar shall cause the same to be entered in a book to be called the Marriage Notice Book, which may be inspected during office hours without fee. He shall also publish such notice by causing a copy of the same to be affixed on the outer door of his office, and to be kept exposed there until he grants his certificate as hereinafter mentioned, or until three months shall have elapsed.

11. (1) The registrar, at any time after the expiration of twenty-one days and before the expiration of three months from the date of the notice, upon payment of the prescribed fee, shall thereupon issue his certificate as in Form C in the First Schedule:

Provided always that he shall not issue such certificate until he has been satisfied by affidavit-

(a) that one of the parties has been resident within the district in which the marriage is intended to be celebrated at least fifteen days preceding the granting of the certificate:

(B) that each of the parties to the intended marriage (not being a widower or widow) is twenty-one years old, or that if he or she is under that age, the consent hereinafter made requisite has been obtained in writing and is annexed to such affidavit;

© that there is not any impediment of kindred or affinity, or any other lawful hindrance to the marriage;

(d) that neither of the parties to the intended marriage is married by customary law to any person other than the person with whom such marriage is proposed to be contracted.

(2) Such affidavit may be sworn before a registrar, or before an administrative officer or before a recognised minister of religion.

(3) The person taking such affidavit shall explain to the person making the same what are the prohibited degrees of kindred and affinity, and the penalties which may be incurred under sections 42 and 43 of this Act, and if he wilfully fails to make such explanation, he shall be liable to imprisonment for two years.

(4) The person taking such affidavit shall sign a declaration written thereon, that he has given the explanation required by this section to the person making such affidavit and that such person has appeared fully to understand the same.

12. If the marriage shall not take place within three months after the date of the notice, the notice and all proceedings consequent thereupon shall be void; and fresh notice shall be given before the parties can lawfully marry.

13. The Minister upon proof being made to him by affidavit that there is no lawful impediment to the proposed marriage, and that the necessary consent, if any, to such marriage has been obtained, may, if he shall think fit, dispense with the giving of notice, and with the issue of the certificate of the registrar, and may grant his licence, which shall be according to Form D in the First Schedule, authorismg the celebration of a marriage between the parties named in such licence by a registrar, or by a recognised minister of some religious denomination or body.

14. (1) Any person whose consent to a marriage is hereby required, or who may know of any just cause why the marriage should not take place, may enter a caveat against the issue of the registrar's certificate, by writing at any time before the issue thereof the word "Forbidden", opposite to the entry of the notice in the marriage notice book, and appending thereto his name and place of abode, and the grounds upon which he claims to forbid the issue of the certificate, and the registrar shall not issue his certificate until such caveat shall be removed as hereinafter is provided.

(2) In the case of an illiterate person, such caveat shall be entered on his behalf in the marriage notice book by the registrar on the verbal notice of such person.

15. Whenever a caveat is entered against the issue of a certificate, the registrar shall refer the matter to a judge of the High Court of the State, and such judge shall thereupon summon the parties to the intended marriage, and the person by whom the caveat is entered, to appear before him in the High Court of the State, and shall require the person by whom the caveat is entered to show cause why the registrar should not issue his certificate, and shall hear and determine the case in a summary way subject to a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal.

16. If the judge decides that the certificate ought to be issued, he shall remove the caveat by cancelling the word 'Forbidden" in the marriage notice book, in ink, and by writing in such marriage notice book, immediately below such entry and cancellation, the words 'Cancelled by order of the High Court' and signing his name thereto. The registrar shall then issue his certificate and the marriage may proceed as if the caveat had not been entered, but the time that has elapsed between the entering and the removal of the caveat shall not be computed in the period of three months specified in sections ii and 12 of this Act.

17. The judge may award compensation and costs to the party injured, if it appears that a caveat was entered on insufficient grounds.

[Enlighten one :) 5]

Thats what I am talking about.

Ok so I couldnt' get the number of days right.

a civil wedding requires posting a bond at the registry. It is placed for 21 days before the marriage. To be legal this notice has to have been published. Here is the actual wording for the requirement

7. Whenever any persons desire to marry, one of the parties to the intended marriage shall sign and give to the registrar of the district in which the marriage is intended to Form A. take place a notice as in Form A in the First Schedule.

8. If the person giving such notice is unable to write or is insufficiently acquainted with the English language, or both, then it shall be sufficient if he place his mark or cross thereto in the presence of some literate person who shall attest the same as in Form B in the First Schedule.

9. Every registrar shall supply forms of Notice gratuitous to any persons applying for the same.

10. Upon receipt of such notice the registrar shall cause the same to be entered in a book to be called the Marriage Notice Book, which may be inspected during office hours without fee. He shall also publish such notice by causing a copy of the same to be affixed on the outer door of his office, and to be kept exposed there until he grants his certificate as hereinafter mentioned, or until three months shall have elapsed.

11. (1) The registrar, at any time after the expiration of twenty-one days and before the expiration of three months from the date of the notice, upon payment of the prescribed fee, shall thereupon issue his certificate as in Form C in the First Schedule:

Provided always that he shall not issue such certificate until he has been satisfied by affidavit-

(a) that one of the parties has been resident within the district in which the marriage is intended to be celebrated at least fifteen days preceding the granting of the certificate:

(B) that each of the parties to the intended marriage (not being a widower or widow) is twenty-one years old, or that if he or she is under that age, the consent hereinafter made requisite has been obtained in writing and is annexed to such affidavit;

© that there is not any impediment of kindred or affinity, or any other lawful hindrance to the marriage;

(d) that neither of the parties to the intended marriage is married by customary law to any person other than the person with whom such marriage is proposed to be contracted.

(2) Such affidavit may be sworn before a registrar, or before an administrative officer or before a recognised minister of religion.

(3) The person taking such affidavit shall explain to the person making the same what are the prohibited degrees of kindred and affinity, and the penalties which may be incurred under sections 42 and 43 of this Act, and if he wilfully fails to make such explanation, he shall be liable to imprisonment for two years.

(4) The person taking such affidavit shall sign a declaration written thereon, that he has given the explanation required by this section to the person making such affidavit and that such person has appeared fully to understand the same.

12. If the marriage shall not take place within three months after the date of the notice, the notice and all proceedings consequent thereupon shall be void; and fresh notice shall be given before the parties can lawfully marry.

13. The Minister upon proof being made to him by affidavit that there is no lawful impediment to the proposed marriage, and that the necessary consent, if any, to such marriage has been obtained, may, if he shall think fit, dispense with the giving of notice, and with the issue of the certificate of the registrar, and may grant his licence, which shall be according to Form D in the First Schedule, authorismg the celebration of a marriage between the parties named in such licence by a registrar, or by a recognised minister of some religious denomination or body.

14. (1) Any person whose consent to a marriage is hereby required, or who may know of any just cause why the marriage should not take place, may enter a caveat against the issue of the registrar's certificate, by writing at any time before the issue thereof the word "Forbidden", opposite to the entry of the notice in the marriage notice book, and appending thereto his name and place of abode, and the grounds upon which he claims to forbid the issue of the certificate, and the registrar shall not issue his certificate until such caveat shall be removed as hereinafter is provided.

(2) In the case of an illiterate person, such caveat shall be entered on his behalf in the marriage notice book by the registrar on the verbal notice of such person.

15. Whenever a caveat is entered against the issue of a certificate, the registrar shall refer the matter to a judge of the High Court of the State, and such judge shall thereupon summon the parties to the intended marriage, and the person by whom the caveat is entered, to appear before him in the High Court of the State, and shall require the person by whom the caveat is entered to show cause why the registrar should not issue his certificate, and shall hear and determine the case in a summary way subject to a right of appeal to the Court of Appeal.

16. If the judge decides that the certificate ought to be issued, he shall remove the caveat by cancelling the word 'Forbidden" in the marriage notice book, in ink, and by writing in such marriage notice book, immediately below such entry and cancellation, the words 'Cancelled by order of the High Court' and signing his name thereto. The registrar shall then issue his certificate and the marriage may proceed as if the caveat had not been entered, but the time that has elapsed between the entering and the removal of the caveat shall not be computed in the period of three months specified in sections ii and 12 of this Act.

17. The judge may award compensation and costs to the party injured, if it appears that a caveat was entered on insufficient grounds.

[KDOR 1]

well thats not in my case we find out that there is what is called special marriage and we did it at the Federal marriage registry in ikoyi Lagos in just 6days of my arrival in Lagos, the type of marriage requires us to pay more than the required normal fees because it kind of our marriage was expediated although we did not recieve our wedding certificate the same day but got it the following week.

So please check about the REAL days and if there is probably any.