Applying for I-130

[Basbosa 4]

Hello everyone.

I am new to this website and forum, but I really appreciate all of the support that I see!

I was wondering if I can get some feedback. I am about to start the I-130 process for my Egyptian husband, and I am so worried about making avoidable mistakes.

First, let me give some background info. I am a naturalized American citizen (born in Cairo, Egypt), and I am a Muslim. I speak Arabic, and I first met what would be my future husband when I was visiting my family in Alexandria in 2007. He asked for my hand in 2008, and we recently got married in August 2012 (we did the Kitb kitab on 8/23 and we had our wedding on 8/24). Unfortunately, after a short honeymoon, I had to return to the US, and he is still in Alexandria.

And, now we are in the middle of preparing all of the documents needed for the I-130.

I understand that we need a copy of the marriage certificate to go with the application. Since we are both Muslim Egyptians, we decided to do the regular kitb kitab (like any normal Egyptian couple). My husband got the marriage certificate from the marriage official, unfortunately, after I left for the US. Now, we know that we have to translate the certificate, and my husband did so at a certified translation office in Alexandria (the packet obtained from the office contained a copy of the marriage certificate, certificate of translation, and the translation itself). Is there anything else we need to be able to use this packet? Do we need to show it to the Embassy in Cairo or the Consulate in Alexandria? I guess what I am asking is, do we need to get it authenticated?

Do I need to make a certified copy of my naturalization certificate? Or would a regular copy suffice? Same question goes for my American passport.

I know that each of us need to complete the G325A. On that specific form, it asks for "Applicant's" residence, employment, etc. When they say "Applicant", do they mean mean the person filling out the form? For example, when I am filling the form, of course the "Applicant" is me. But when he fills the form, is the "Applicant" me (i.e. put my information in) or his? Just want to be sure! Also, since my husband lived all his life in Egypt, his G325A will be basically full of Arabic addresses. Do we need to put the addresses in Arabic script, along with the English transliteration? Or is the English enough?

Finally, the evidence of a bonafide marriage. We really do not have any of the documents that they list on the application. I was concerned about this, but a work colleague (Sudanese who went through the process to bring his Sudanese wife) told me to provide pictures. Of course we have plenty of pictures of everything! My husband and I chose some pictures for the application, but how many is enough? We have pictures of our kitb kitab ceremony (separate picture for each witness, dad, and of us signing the contract; a picture of us with his family and one with my parents) and our wedding (the hall provided us with a dated one; us cutting the cake; various pics during the zaffa and the wedding with family members). I have about 20 pictures. Would I need more?

One last thing, when I tell people that I am about to start the I-130 process, they suggest that we do the K-Visa/Fiancé route instead. I know the K-Visa can save us a lot of time, but I am just worried about the possibility of its rejection (especially since now we are married). Can we do them at the same time? I am really worried about turning in too many applications, because I want to avoid any possible confusion that could happen.

Thank you again for all of your help!

BTW I hope I posted this in the right place!

[Darnell 8,478]

Hello everyone.

I am new to this website and forum, but I really appreciate all of the support that I see!

I was wondering if I can get some feedback. I am about to start the I-130 process for my Egyptian husband, and I am so worried about making avoidable mistakes.

First, let me give some background info. I am a naturalized American citizen (born in Cairo, Egypt), and I am a Muslim. I speak Arabic, and I first met what would be my future husband when I was visiting my family in Alexandria in 2007. He asked for my hand in 2008, and we recently got married in August 2012 (we did the Kitb kitab on 8/23 and we had our wedding on 8/24). Unfortunately, after a short honeymoon, I had to return to the US, and he is still in Alexandria.

And, now we are in the middle of preparing all of the documents needed for the I-130.

I understand that we need a copy of the marriage certificate to go with the application. Since we are both Muslim Egyptians, we decided to do the regular kitb kitab (like any normal Egyptian couple). My husband got the marriage certificate from the marriage official, unfortunately, after I left for the US. Now, we know that we have to translate the certificate, and my husband did so at a certified translation office in Alexandria (the packet obtained from the office contained a copy of the marriage certificate, certificate of translation, and the translation itself). Is there anything else we need to be able to use this packet? Do we need to show it to the Embassy in Cairo or the Consulate in Alexandria? I guess what I am asking is, do we need to get it authenticated?

photocopies of all of that, above, is all you need, from a photocopier. show seals and stamps, copy back of pages also. unsure about the authentication bits

Do I need to make a certified copy of my naturalization certificate? Or would a regular copy suffice? Same question goes for my American passport.

a regular photocopy suffices

I know that each of us need to complete the G325A. On that specific form, it asks for "Applicant's" residence, employment, etc. When they say "Applicant", do they mean mean the person filling out the form? For example, when I am filling the form, of course the "Applicant" is me. But when he fills the form, is the "Applicant" me (i.e. put my information in) or his? Just want to be sure! Also, since my husband lived all his life in Egypt, his G325A will be basically full of Arabic addresses. Do we need to put the addresses in Arabic script, along with the English transliteration? Or is the English enough?

remember 'voice' here. you fill out YOUR G-325-A the way for YOU, and if you are filling out HIS G-325-A, use his 'voice' as IF you were him . re: addresses - there's a spot for current address in other language, put that there in Arabic. for the rest, prior addresses, use english

Finally, the evidence of a bonafide marriage. We really do not have any of the documents that they list on the application. I was concerned about this, but a work colleague (Sudanese who went through the process to bring his Sudanese wife) told me to provide pictures. Of course we have plenty of pictures of everything! My husband and I chose some pictures for the application, but how many is enough? We have pictures of our kitb kitab ceremony (separate picture for each witness, dad, and of us signing the contract; a picture of us with his family and one with my parents) and our wedding (the hall provided us with a dated one; us cutting the cake; various pics during the zaffa and the wedding with family members). I have about 20 pictures. Would I need more?

photos are great, but are secondary evidence. the marriage certificate, of course, is primary evidence. You should include photocopies of all air ticket stubs, payment receipts for anything you paid for, for the trip, perhaps even a written timeline of major timeticks whilst in Egypt for this marriage trip. Phone logs, phone bills, emails, IM conversations, all can be included, but are secondary evidence.

One last thing, when I tell people that I am about to start the I-130 process, they suggest that we do the K-Visa/Fiancé route instead. I know the K-Visa can save us a lot of time, but I am just worried about the possibility of its rejection (especially since now we are married). Can we do them at the same time? I am really worried about turning in too many applications, because I want to avoid any possible confusion that could happen. married folk cannot pursue a K-1, it's a waste of time, energy and effort. Tell yer buddies they are clueless, mention Uncle Darnell said so..

Thank you again for all of your help!

BTW I hope I posted this in the right place!

[TBoneTX 45,498]

Thank you again for all of your help!

Welcome to VisaJourney!

BTW I hope I posted this in the right place!

Very close -- I'm transferring your topic from the "CR-1 Process" forum to the "CR-1 Case Filing" forum, because you haven't yet filed.

[Cesar & Cata 35]

You should also submit a couple of sworn statements from family or friends who can speak to your relationship and marriage. I sent one from my mother in law and another from my mom. I used a template in the wiki (look at the top of the page), just searched for sworn statement I believe.

I submitted about 15 pics, some before the wedding, some during, some after, most with family and friends, those that are taken while you aren't really posing just dancing and having a good time. I also included a couple of Facebook pics with tons of comments,

The most important part of course will be the marriage certificate, I also had mine translated (from Spanish).

Good Luck on your Journey, your in the right place.

Please fill in yourtimeline once you submit your paperwork, it will help you and the VJ community with time estimates. Once you put in the times for each milestone it will be able to estimate when you should be getting approved/denied.

[Basbosa 4]

Thank you so much everyone for your feedback! I really appreciate it, and will definitely keep you posted!

Thanks TBoneTX for moving the post! I really qouldn't have known where to start!

Thanks again everyone!