New CR-1 Applicant have some questions.

[thalakos1 0]

Hello Members!

I'm applying for a IR-1/CR-1 visa, I've read through the I-130 guide and need a little additional help. I live in the U.S., am in the Military, and my wife and I are newly married. We met last year when she visited the US, and since then I've visited her in Australia three times, with us getting married this most recent trip.

This question probably answers itself. The only additional option I have since I'm in the military is to try and petition my congressman to expedite the form through USCIS?

Down to the I-130 itself:

1. Since we are newly wed, her documents in Australia still show her maiden name. Would the I-130 process be easier if we used her maiden name on the form and change it later once she has a green card? Or should the forms be filled out with her new last name with her maiden name in the Other names used block.

2. This is probably a stupid question. Section C, question 17: Since I'm filling out the form do I need to put my name down as the husband of my wife?

3. Question 21: We've never lived together aside from me staying with her for 3 weeks at a time when I visit her in Australia, should I write none in this box?

Evidence of a bona fide marriage: I have none of the documents suggested in the I-130 instructions. It's a long distance relationship and we don't have anything jointly. I can provide pictures from the wedding, program from the wedding, E-tickets and leave forms to Melbourne Australia, phone bills to an Australian phone number, pictures of us together, unofficial Baha'i Marriage certificate includes witness signatures. Should I proceed in acquiring some form of signed memo from people who have been around us together? Both of our parents were present at the wedding.

I've also created a timeline so far, but haven't gotten much typed into it.

Thanks for all the help,

Jeremiah

[Ryan H 3,932]

I'm applying for a IR-1/CR-1 visa,

As a US Citizen, you are not applying for a visa, you are filing a petition, when the petition is approved, your wife will then be able to apply for a CR-1 visa.

This question probably answers itself. The only additional option I have since I'm in the military is to try and petition my congressman to expedite the form through USCIS?

Active duty military members who have received orders to deploy to a combat zone usually will have their petition expedited by USCIS. Most people make expedite requests to USCIS directly and do not get their Congressman involved.

My answers in bold:

Down to the I-130 itself:

1. Since we are newly wed, her documents in Australia still show her maiden name. Would the I-130 process be easier if we used her maiden name on the form and change it later once she has a green card? Or should the forms be filled out with her new last name with her maiden name in the Other names used block.

Her name on her green card will be the same as her name on all her documents. If you wait until after she has her green card to change her name, then you will have to pay a fee.

2. This is probably a stupid question. Section C, question 17: Since I'm filling out the form do I need to put my name down as the husband of my wife?

Yes

3. Question 21: We've never lived together aside from me staying with her for 3 weeks at a time when I visit her in Australia, should I write none in this box?

An appropriate answer for this question as it relates to you is, "We have not yet lived together." This is what I put for this question and had no issues.

Evidence of a bona fide marriage: I have none of the documents suggested in the I-130 instructions. It's a long distance relationship and we don't have anything jointly. I can provide pictures from the wedding, program from the wedding, E-tickets and leave forms to Melbourne Australia, phone bills to an Australian phone number, pictures of us together, unofficial Baha'i Marriage certificate includes witness signatures. Should I proceed in acquiring some form of signed memo from people who have been around us together? Both of our parents were present at the wedding.

What you have listed is good, USCIS will not expect anyone who is newly married and living in different countries to have joint property, accounts, etc. If you want to acquire the statements from people who have been around you together, you can, however, such statements are not required. With that being said, my personal suggestion to you is to acquire the statements

[godisgood74 3]

As a US Citizen, you are not applying for a visa, you are filing a petition, when the petition is approved, your wife will then be able to apply for a CR-1 visa.

Active duty military members who have received orders to deploy to a combat zone usually will have their petition expedited by USCIS. Most people make expedite requests to USCIS directly and do not get their Congressman involved.

My answers in bold:

SECTION C QUESTION 17....PUT YOUR SPOUSE NAME, AND IN CASE HE/SHE HAVE ANY CHILDREN LIST THEM. BUT FIRST IS YOUR SPOUSE

QUESTION 21.....PUT THE ADDRESS YOU LAST LIVED TOGETHER.

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT OWNING ANYTHING OR PROPERTY UNDER YOUR NAMES TOGETHER SINCE BOTH OF YOU ARE NOT LIVING TOGETHER, EVEN THE CONSULATES UNDERSTANDS THAT.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

[thalakos1 0]

Thank you for the replies! I've reached a snag of sorts, I'm going to move in a few months as I live in a studio type place now there is not enough room for two people. I can't really list my current address on the I-130 as it will change in the middle of the approval process and I don't know what the future address will be. Can I list the address of a relative of sorts that lives in the same town? I use a PO Box for all my mail, but I'm sure they mean to have physical addresses on the form.

[calibob 73]

Thank you for the replies! I've reached a snag of sorts, I'm going to move in a few months as I live in a studio type place now there is not enough room for two people. I can't really list my current address on the I-130 as it will change in the middle of the approval process and I don't know what the future address will be. Can I list the address of a relative of sorts that lives in the same town? I use a PO Box for all my mail, but I'm sure they mean to have physical addresses on the form.

There is a online change of address page on the USCIS page. I'd gladly give you the link but the site is down Dec.2-5 and I can't access the page.

Best of luck

Bob

[pushbrk 14,263]

SECTION C QUESTION 17....PUT YOUR SPOUSE NAME, AND IN CASE HE/SHE HAVE ANY CHILDREN LIST THEM. BUT FIRST IS YOUR SPOUSE

QUESTION 21.....PUT THE ADDRESS YOU LAST LIVED TOGETHER.

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT OWNING ANYTHING OR PROPERTY UNDER YOUR NAMES TOGETHER SINCE BOTH OF YOU ARE NOT LIVING TOGETHER, EVEN THE CONSULATES UNDERSTANDS THAT.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Wrong. Question 17 asks about "Information about your alien relative". The US Citizen is the petitioner. The alien relative is the foreign spouse. In this case the petitioner is the alien relative's spouse, so the petitioner's name is listed in C17.

They haven't yet lived together so they simply indicate they have not yet resided in the same country.

No need for evidence of joint property. Note that anything that follows the words, "In addition to the required...." is simply NOT REQUIRED.

Thank you for the replies! I've reached a snag of sorts, I'm going to move in a few months as I live in a studio type place now there is not enough room for two people. I can't really list my current address on the I-130 as it will change in the middle of the approval process and I don't know what the future address will be. Can I list the address of a relative of sorts that lives in the same town? I use a PO Box for all my mail, but I'm sure they mean to have physical addresses on the form.

Nothing stops you from listing your current address and changing it later. They are asking for YOUR physical address, not the address of a relative.

[Ryan H 3,932]

I use a PO Box for all my mail, but I'm sure they mean to have physical addresses on the form.

I use a PO Box for all my mail also and that is what I put on all forms that asked for my address except for the questions on the forms that specifically called for a physical address (e.g. address where your relative intends to live). I had no issues using a PO Box. If you want to use your PO Box, you can.

[Laure&Colin 562]

Thank you for the replies! I've reached a snag of sorts, I'm going to move in a few months as I live in a studio type place now there is not enough room for two people. I can't really list my current address on the I-130 as it will change in the middle of the approval process and I don't know what the future address will be. Can I list the address of a relative of sorts that lives in the same town? I use a PO Box for all my mail, but I'm sure they mean to have physical addresses on the form.

You can definitely list your current address, and file a change of address online when you move. No problem with that.

Like I said to someone yesterday about another form, use the example form (here), it will make it much easier. We did use the example forms to help us fill in all forms and our I130 got approved without RFE.

Now about expediting your case at USCIS level, I hope someone can confirm or correct this but I've read in previous threads that people in the military have a special number to call to request the expedite, then send some supporting evidence in.