I-129F question

[JVF 0]

I just realized I forgot to sent copy of my fiancee Ukrainian passport. I did send copy of her birth certificate, notarized in US. Will I get a REF for that?

[baron555 934]

I just realized I forgot to sent copy of my fiancee Ukrainian passport. I did send copy of her birth certificate, notarized in US. Will I get a REF for that?

Here's the Checklist from the VJ Guides, BC or passport copy is not mentioned for the beneficiary.

Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist

Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment. Money Orders are also accepted.

2. Cover Letter (see example). Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

3. Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (see example)

4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

5. Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance) certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the US on a valid K-1. (see example)

6. Proof of having met in past two years. (click here for examples)

7. G-325A filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated (see example).

8. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert US Citizen's Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

9. G-325A filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated (see example).

10. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

11. Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

12. Copy of final Divorce Decree(s) or Certificate(s) for the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) if either has been previously married. If the previous marriage of the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) ended due to the death of their spouse then include a Copy of Death Certificate(s) documenting that fact.

13. Proof of Legal Name Change if either the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents. You must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.

14. In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information.

Edited June 9, 2010 by baron555

[JVF 0]

Here's the Checklist from the VJ Guides, BC or passport copy is not mentioned for the beneficiary.

Assembling the I-129F Package: Checklist

Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1. Payment as required by USCIS. Use a personal check so you can track the payment. Money Orders are also accepted.

2. Cover Letter (see example). Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-129F), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

3. Form I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (see example)

4. Declaration of how you met in person in the last two years. This should be a single typed page attachment regarding question 18 of the I-129F. Make sure to sign and date it.

5. Original statements (from both the US Citizen and foreign fiance) certifying an intent to marry within 90 days of entering the US on a valid K-1. (see example)

6. Proof of having met in past two years. (click here for examples)

7. G-325A filled out by the US Citizen signed and dated (see example).

8. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the US Citizen. Write the full name of the US citizen on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert US Citizen's Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

9. G-325A filled out by the foreign fiance(e) signed and dated (see example).

10. One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign fiance(e). Write the full name of the foreign fiance(e) on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert foreign fiance(e) name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

11. Copy of the Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport issued with a validity of at least 5 years or a copy of the US Citizen's naturalization certificate (front and back). This is used to establish citizenship.

12. Copy of final Divorce Decree(s) or Certificate(s) for the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) if either has been previously married. If the previous marriage of the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) ended due to the death of their spouse then include a Copy of Death Certificate(s) documenting that fact.

13. Proof of Legal Name Change if either the US Citizen and/or foreign fiance(e) is using a name other than that shown on the relevant documents. You must give USCIS copies of the legal documents that made the change, such as a marriage certificate, adoption decree or court order.

14. In regards to Section C Question 2, if applicable provide certified copies of all court and police records showing the charges and dispositions for any specified conviction(s) (in accordance with the IMBRA). See section 9 of the I-129f instructions for more information.

Thank you. I guess she will have to bring those documents when she goes to the interview.

[slim 1,530]

As you can see, it's not on the list.

However, even if you do get an RFE, it's not the end of the world. They send you a document asking for what's missing and you send it to them. No big deal. Adds two weeks to the process at most. They won't "look harder" just because you get an RFE. All an RFE says is something is missing, send it to us.

If you're really worried about it, have your fiancee scan her passport, e-mail it to you, and then you can print out a copy on your home PC and send it in. Just put something like "please attach to K-1 visa request for XXXXXXX, XXXXXX."

[JVF 0]

As you can see, it's not on the list.

However, even if you do get an RFE, it's not the end of the world. They send you a document asking for what's missing and you send it to them. No big deal. Adds two weeks to the process at most. They won't "look harder" just because you get an RFE. All an RFE says is something is missing, send it to us.

If you're really worried about it, have your fiancee scan her passport, e-mail it to you, and then you can print out a copy on your home PC and send it in. Just put something like "please attach to K-1 visa request for XXXXXXX, XXXXXX."

Good idea. Thank you slim.

[Casper&Diana 0]

I didn't know you can send supplemental information while the application is being processed. Good idea if they take it. One thought on the RFE-- no, not the end of the world and as you know I got one JVF. The lost time for RFE turnaround for me was only 8 days, which wasn't too bad. That said, my application seemed to take a month longer than most everyone else's on Igor's list to even get to the point where they sent me an RFE. That is, other people were getting their NOA2 a month before I even got my RFE. I don't know but I suspect that the adjudicator at the CSC, when reviewing my file the first time, decided there would be an RFE and then just shelved my app for a month! Don't know, but I'm very suspicious.

Adding insult to injury, when I did get the NOA2 which clearly stated they had send the app to the NVC that day, it never made it to the NVC! Stuck in some "Administrative Review" or simply lost, I will never know the truth. But after 3 more weeks and countless e-mails and phone calls to both the CSC and NVC (no one had any idea where the app was!) and contacting my Senator's aide who made inquiries, I got another, 1-line e-mail from the CSC saying simply that the app was sent to the NVC on that date. #######?!

Was the Admin Review related to the RFE? Dunno, but I have my suspicions. If true, the simple fact that the I-129f instructions tell you NOTHING about what is considered evidence of meeting (and I had not yet discovered VJ to find out) may have cost me 2 months of delays!

Lesson for Today: Get it right the first time!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

You do not need her passport or her birth certificate for the I-129f. You will need it at the interview and anything not in English must be translated (not the passport though, it is already in English)

If you get an RFE it will not be for one of those items.

[JVF 0]

Thanks everyone. My fiancee already got her birth certificate translated and notarized in Ukraine. She even send it for Apostille. What else besides birth certificate and police report need to be translated for the interview?

[JVF 0]

I didn't know you can send supplemental information while the application is being processed. Good idea if they take it. One thought on the RFE-- no, not the end of the world and as you know I got one JVF. The lost time for RFE turnaround for me was only 8 days, which wasn't too bad. That said, my application seemed to take a month longer than most everyone else's on Igor's list to even get to the point where they sent me an RFE. That is, other people were getting their NOA2 a month before I even got my RFE. I don't know but I suspect that the adjudicator at the CSC, when reviewing my file the first time, decided there would be an RFE and then just shelved my app for a month! Don't know, but I'm very suspicious.

Adding insult to injury, when I did get the NOA2 which clearly stated they had send the app to the NVC that day, it never made it to the NVC! Stuck in some "Administrative Review" or simply lost, I will never know the truth. But after 3 more weeks and countless e-mails and phone calls to both the CSC and NVC (no one had any idea where the app was!) and contacting my Senator's aide who made inquiries, I got another, 1-line e-mail from the CSC saying simply that the app was sent to the NVC on that date. #######?!

Was the Admin Review related to the RFE? Dunno, but I have my suspicions. If true, the simple fact that the I-129f instructions tell you NOTHING about what is considered evidence of meeting (and I had not yet discovered VJ to find out) may have cost me 2 months of delays!

Lesson for Today: Get it right the first time!

What is scary in this whole process is that one person decides your fate. I hope whoever decides mine is in the good mood

Good luck with your interview my friend.

[baron555 934]

What is scary in this whole process is that one person decides your fate. I hope whoever decides mine is in the good mood

Good luck with your interview my friend.

Yes, your "Ukranski" woman has already decided your fate. Submit mortal to your doom. Enjoy, you both. Don't worry. be happy. You will soon be.

[visaveteran 1]

Thanks everyone. My fiancee already got her birth certificate translated and notarized in Ukraine. She even send it for Apostille. What else besides birth certificate and police report need to be translated for the interview?

Divorce papers if this is applicable.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

What is scary in this whole process is that one person decides your fate. I hope whoever decides mine is in the good mood

Good luck with your interview my friend.

You've been in the whiners forum too much. NO ONE decides your fate except YOU. You do the forms and documents correctly...you get approved. You don't, you get denied. Simple. Read and follow instructions, take responsibility, and make your own dreams come true.

Adjudicators follow the LAW, period. It is not a judgment call, you do not have to "convince anyone", you simply provide what is in the instructions and they approve it and send it on. Really, it is not so dramatic as all that.

Thanks everyone. My fiancee already got her birth certificate translated and notarized in Ukraine. She even send it for Apostille. What else besides birth certificate and police report need to be translated for the interview?

If she was previously married, you will need her marriage (or name change) certificate and divorce certificate translated. If she ever served in the military, you need military discharge papers translated.

[JVF 0]

You've been in the whiners forum too much. NO ONE decides your fate except YOU. You do the forms and documents correctly...you get approved. You don't, you get denied. Simple. Read and follow instructions, take responsibility, and make your own dreams come true.

Adjudicators follow the LAW, period. It is not a judgment call, you do not have to "convince anyone", you simply provide what is in the instructions and they approve it and send it on. Really, it is not so dramatic as all that.

If she was previously married, you will need her marriage (or name change) certificate and divorce certificate translated. If she ever served in the military, you need military discharge papers translated.

I guess you are right. I have been spending too much time reading whiners forums More I read, more I become paranoid. I need my computer confiscated for a few months...hehehehe

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I guess you are right. I have been spending too much time reading whiners forums More I read, more I become paranoid. I need my computer confiscated for a few months...hehehehe

No, you just need to read the right stuff. Start in the RUB forum, right here. Read the laws regarding immigration...what you are doing...understanding will make you confident, not paranoid. Read the Kiev consulate reviews, get the feedback from those os us that have been through these consulates, been there, done that.

Petitions are simple and straight forward, comply with the requirements and they get approved. Visas, in Kiev, are about the same. Supply all the documents and some evidence you have a relationship and the it is not a scam and you get a visa. The only one who can foul this up is YOU. YOUR future is in YOUR hands (and your fiancee's)

[visaveteran 1]

I guess you are right. I have been spending too much time reading whiners forums More I read, more I become paranoid. I need my computer confiscated for a few months...hehehehe

A little friendly advice. Take Gary's posts with a grain of salt and a shot of vodka.

There is more to getting a visa than simply doing certain mechanical tasks. You could face administrative review for no clear reason. You could get a difficult consulate officer doing the interview. Your approved visa could be held up for weeks for no clear reason (as someone is currently experiencing). All these things have occurred to real people on this forum. Just be aware that things do happen.

I'm saying this for you to be prepared for any and all events along your visa journey. Yes, follow the USCIS/NVC instructions to the letter. Read the VJ Guides on this site. Ask questions. You will probably be one of the 95% who sail through by simply following the rules. But there are other variables to contend with upon occasion, and you don't control them. Just a little reality check.