Putting together I-130 application

[Jughead 3]

My fiancée just moved back to Japan. We are going to get married in January in Japan and I will then come back to the US and file the I-130 for a CR-1 visa for her. I know it's still a few months away, but would appreciate some advice as I start to gather materials.

I have a pretty good understanding (I think) of what is initially required when submitting the I-130 from reading up on this forum. However, it seems like between all the supporting evidence it will likely end up being a large amount of material to submit.

1) For supporting evidence, how much is enough? Should I submit everything I have? For example, I have phone and text history going back to the beginning of our relationship last year. But is it really necessary to submit all of it?

2) What is the best way to assemble and send in the I-130? Is there a preferred method they have? I'm anticipating it to be too large to fit in an envelope. If that is the case, can it be mailed in a box? Do they want things to be loose or should it be arranged in a binder?

[Ryan H 3,797]

Just to get the semantics out of the way, the I-130 is a petition form, not an application form.

1) For supporting evidence, how much is enough? Should I submit everything I have? For example, I have phone and text history going back to the beginning of our relationship last year. But is it really necessary to submit all of it?

2) What is the best way to assemble and send in the I-130? Is there a preferred method they have? I'm anticipating it to be too large to fit in an envelope. If that is the case, can it be mailed in a box? Do they want things to be loose or should it be arranged in a binder?

Now to answer your questions:

1. How much is enough is how much you feel is enough to make a strong case. Using your example, the phone/text records are evidence of an ongoing relationship. Whether or not you submit all of it or part of it is up to you.

2. There is no one preferred method by USCIS other than do not staple anything and do not use binders. Instead use clips to attach everything. A large envelope should be sufficient to hold your file, for illustration purposes, the file I sent to USCIS was nearly 4cm thick and I was able to fit it in a standard USPS Priority Mail envelope.

[Jughead 3]

Thanks, Ryan. I plan on submitting most of what I have at my disposal.

My only concern is that most of the evidence I have to submit will be from before our marriage. Is that ok? We don't have any property, lease or bank accounts together...and our marriage in Japan is going to be a civil marriage (literally going to a municipal office to sign papers) with a small reception for her family and friends afterwards. We can have pictures taken then. Would that be acceptable?

[hamigirl710 112]

Thanks, Ryan. I plan on submitting most of what I have at my disposal.

My only concern is that most of the evidence I have to submit will be from before our marriage. Is that ok? We don't have any property, lease or bank accounts together...and our marriage in Japan is going to be a civil marriage (literally going to a municipal office to sign papers) with a small reception for her family and friends afterwards. We can have pictures taken then. Would that be acceptable?

Is she on your car insurance or medical insurance policy or even credit cards as an authorized or joint user? I added my husband to my car insurance as a excluded driver. The USCIS likes to see the co-mingling of funds between spouses whenever possible. If you do not have any of this just send what documentation you do have and in my opinion quality is better than quantity. Congrats of your wedding and best wishes for the future!

Edited October 9, 2012 by hamigirl710

[Jughead 3]

Is she on your car insurance or medical insurance policy or even credit cards as an authorized or joint user? I added my husband to my car insurance as a excluded driver. The USCIS likes to see the co-mingling of funds between spouses whenever possible. If you do not have any of this just send what documentation you do have and in my opinion quality is better than quantity. Congrats of your wedding and best wishes for the future!

Thanks! No, we don't have any co-mingling of accounts/funds. However, she will be visiting during the holidays and at that time we plan to open a joint bank account as she has a SSN from when she was here on her work visa.

[Ryan H 3,797]

Thanks, Ryan. I plan on submitting most of what I have at my disposal.

My only concern is that most of the evidence I have to submit will be from before our marriage. Is that ok? We don't have any property, lease or bank accounts together...and our marriage in Japan is going to be a civil marriage (literally going to a municipal office to sign papers) with a small reception for her family and friends afterwards. We can have pictures taken then. Would that be acceptable?

Yes to your question "is that ok" and yes to your question "would that be acceptable." The majority of what I submitted was before our marriage.

Thanks! No, we don't have any co-mingling of accounts/funds. However, she will be visiting during the holidays and at that time we plan to open a joint bank account as she has a SSN from when she was here on her work visa.

USCIS will not expect a couple living apart in separate countries to own property or have co-mingled financial accounts so I disagree wholeheartedly with hamigirl710's statement "USCIS likes to see the co-mingling of funds between spouses whenever possible." Now for a couple that's living together, that's a horse of a different color where co-mingling of financials would be expected. With all that being said, go ahead with your plan to set up a joint account, it will not hurt.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Ryan H

[Jughead 3]

Yes to your question "is that ok" and yes to your question "would that be acceptable." The majority of what I submitted was before our marriage.

USCIS will not expect a couple living apart in separate countries to own property or have co-mingled financial accounts so I disagree wholeheartedly with hamigirl710's statement "USCIS likes to see the co-mingling of funds between spouses whenever possible." Now for a couple that's living together, that's a horse of a different color where co-mingling of financials would be expected. With all that being said, go ahead with your plan to set up a joint account, it will not hurt.

Thanks again. This information is very helpful!