Need a little advice, please!

[cassieheartsbeto 0]

Hello everyone!

I have spent hours going over all of the requirements for the IR-1/CR-1 visas, but I still have several doubts and questions. First of all it is important to note that my husband is Mexican.

1.) Currently we only have 1 certified copy of our marriage certificate. Can I send in a photocopy or would it be best to request another copy from the civil registry?

2.) Our daughter was born here in the US but my husband's name is not on her birth certificate. However, his last name is her second middle name (if that makes sense). Would it be helpful to get his name added to the birth certificate as proof of our relationship?

3.) I have lived in Mexico for the past 6 years and worked as an English teacher. However, I was told that I did not need to file tax returns in the US because I did not make the average American yearly income. So I am uncertain as to how I can file the affidavit of support for my husband. Should I write down unemployed for the six years and choose a co-sponsor?

I really appreciate any information that you might be able to provide me. I am very overwhelmed by this whole process and I want to make sure I have all of my facts straight before I actually file the paperwork.

[Anh map 2,098]

Hello everyone!

I have spent hours going over all of the requirements for the IR-1/CR-1 visas, but I still have several doubts and questions. First of all it is important to note that my husband is Mexican.

1.) Currently we only have 1 certified copy of our marriage certificate. Can I send in a photocopy or would it be best to request another copy from the civil registry?

2.) Our daughter was born here in the US but my husband's name is not on her birth certificate. However, his last name is her second middle name (if that makes sense). Would it be helpful to get his name added to the birth certificate as proof of our relationship?

3.) I have lived in Mexico for the past 6 years and worked as an English teacher. However, I was told that I did not need to file tax returns in the US because I did not make the average American yearly income. So I am uncertain as to how I can file the affidavit of support for my husband. Should I write down unemployed for the six years and choose a co-sponsor?

I really appreciate any information that you might be able to provide me. I am very overwhelmed by this whole process and I want to make sure I have all of my facts straight before I actually file the paperwork.

Not being truthful on immigration forms is unwise. You may or may not need a joint sponsor depending on your current and continuing income.

What you were "told" may or may not be correct. If your income was above the minimum (~$9500 for 2011) for filing, then you should have filed. Go to the irs.gov website and find the minimum amounts for the past 3 years. Those are the tax returns you will either need to file, or address on the I-864.(see page 8 of the I-864 instructions)

[cassieheartsbeto 0]

Thank you so much for your reply!

My income was well below 9,500 a year for each year I was in Mexico. Which I should have clarified in my post. I apologize.

[lssnodgrass 1]

good morning:

1) While there is time, I would get one or two more originals from civil registry. If you were married in Mexico, it lists the marriage and to whom on the bottom. If your husband needs to get or renew passport, they will require an original and keep it for their records. I would consider starting the quest for the police record (letter of no antecedents). This takes some legwork.

2) If you can add your husband's name as father (hopefully the father's name is blank)on birth certificate, that would be beneficial. Doing so in the US should be almost easy in comparison to getting tasks complete in Mex. At the least, consider composing a statement that you attach to the birth cert. and get the statement notorized. The notory seal will attest that you wrote it only and are of sound mind.

3) I believe as a USC you should be filing your tax paperwork even if there is no income. That is what I will be doing.

Kudos to you for living in Mexico for 6 years. I have just begun year 2 with my husband here and teach English in Cuernavaca