Evidence of bona fide relationship affidavits

[Locombiano 0]

I am looking at my i-130 application instructions and see the suggestion to send in affidavits from friends, family, etc. stating knowledge of my relationship with my wife. It doesn't say that they must be notarized. Anybody have advice on this? Can I just print out the affidavits, have them signed by the person, and include them in my package? Any examples of affidavits (templates)?

Thank you.

[Harsh_77 716]

How did you guys get married, if you guys had a social function(tons of picture from the event) or you had a civil marriage or traditional marriage and later obtained marrige certificate, you dont have to do the affidavits.

Normally affidavits are for ppl who claiming to be spouse under common law or someone who never got the marriage registered so affidavits from friends and family support their claim of marriage.

[Locombiano 0]

Talking to myself, here, it seems as if many people skip the affidavits in the initial i-130 package and just send the official docs required, plus things like phone logs, IM, photos, etc.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

we sent affidavits from people that were at the wedding. They were notorized. I dont know that we needed the affidavits, but we decided to send them just in case since we didnt have much other evidence because we had just gotten married a month or so prior to submitting the I-130.

[Locombiano 0]

How did you guys get married, if you guys had a social function(tons of picture from the event) or you had a civil marriage or traditional marriage and later obtained marrige certificate, you dont have to do the affidavits.

We had a civil marriage but dressed in traditional wedding wear. I'm enclosing pics of that plus after party pics at her house with family in addition to those of us on regular days. I think I will skip the affidavits.

[marjus's girl 6]

We had a civil marriage but dressed in traditional wedding wear. I'm enclosing pics of that plus after party pics at her house with family in addition to those of us on regular days. I think I will skip the affidavits.

i just got a rfe and one of the things they wanted was affidavits..just trying to save u a rfe and hassle later on:) i like you sent a bunch of pics and wasn't enough..we had traditional, and civil weddings..and pics with family..good luck with your journey!!

[Locombiano 0]

i just got a rfe and one of the things they wanted was affidavits..just trying to save u a rfe and hassle later on:) i like you sent a bunch of pics and wasn't enough..we had traditional, and civil weddings..and pics with family..good luck with your journey!!

thanks for the advice. I'm seeing your timeline and wondering, maybe they asked for more info from you because you guys met in person and then married so quickly? I can tell the waiting process for this will be stressful.

[trojam227 18]

I think it depends on your circumstances what uscis will expect. If you have been married for like 10yrs, I doubt they will care about photos etc..probably co-mingling of finances would be more appropriate. If you met and married shortly after, then proof of ongoing relationship, affidavits, photos, boarding passes, chat logs, phone bills...those are more what they would would look for. Just my common sense opinion. I sent 2 letters of affidavit from our best man & maid of honor that they wrote themselves, not notarized...however, we have not been approved yet, so do what works for you. I couldn't find anything in the instructions that said they had to be notarized...just certain info that needed to be included in the letters.

[livetolove 2]

i just got a rfe and one of the things they wanted was affidavits..just trying to save u a rfe and hassle later on:) i like you sent a bunch of pics and wasn't enough..we had traditional, and civil weddings..and pics with family..good luck with your journey!!

Hi Marju's girl....... As for me, it sounds like i going the same path of yours. In my case, i filed for K-3 Visa and I-130 back in November 10, 2011 and so far, the only update i have was back in march 16, 2011. I contacted them couple weeks ago and got an e-mail saying that my case is under extensive back ground check and have to wait for 6 months...I wonder do they touch those files once and throw them in the file cabinet or review them every month?.....I wonder how often do they go through the same file???? I think, as long as you filed back in November and did the background check first and finally asked u for RFE, do you think I will be going throug the same routine??

As for me, I, together with my wife travelled to Germany and France recently, should I keep copy of airline tickets, pics and hotel reciepts toooo?

the last question is when was the last update on your file and how did you hear about a background check on your case...

Look 4ward 2 hear from u......

Edited May 27, 2011 by livetolove