Where is my address (for G-325a) abroad or USA?

[lucybelle 453]

Plan on filing next month (CR-1) and trying to get things set up now.

I'm filling out the G-325a and I'm wondering about my addresses under "Applicant's Last Residence". I've been living in Costa Rica since August 2011. I was living with a tourist visa for the first couple months. In March 2012 I applied for residency in Costa Rica. But as we know, these things take time. I have yet to be approved. (And honestly, probably won't be approved before we start with his USA residency stuff. My life is bureaucratic paperwork *sigh*)

So for my "Applicant's Last Residence" should/can I put my Costa Rican "address"? He and I have been living together and one of our support documents would be both our names on a lease for an apartment here in CR. But since I'm not a resident of CR (yet), does it count? And since we lived in one apartment from Aug 2011- Jan 2012, then moved to another one where we're still living now, should I just put the second "address"? Since in this address we have both our names on the lease?

Thanks!

[MichonandRuben 15]

Hi Lucybelle! I would use your addresses abroad as you two are living together and since you have filed for residency there, as long as you have receipt that you filed, you are legally residing in CR currently. I lived there for 2.5 years and listed every single residence that we resided at since that is what they ask for (I believe they only ask for residence of 3 months or longer). Having the same residence history will work in your favor since it shows a lasting relationship.

Good luck!

[sberendt 0]

There are addresses in Costa Rica? That's a good one My house in Moravia (San Vicente) has two of these so called addresses and I wouldn't trust either of them to receive mail.

Sorry I'm not much help, just had to vent a little about the mail system here and the non-existence of traditional addresses .

[lucybelle 453]

Hi Lucybelle! I would use your addresses abroad as you two are living together and since you have filed for residency there, as long as you have receipt that you filed, you are legally residing in CR currently. I lived there for 2.5 years and listed every single residence that we resided at since that is what they ask for (I believe they only ask for residence of 3 months or longer). Having the same residence history will work in your favor since it shows a lasting relationship.

Good luck!

Okay great! Thanks so much for your help!

There are addresses in Costa Rica? That's a good one My house in Moravia (San Vicente) has two of these so called addresses and I wouldn't trust either of them to receive mail.

Sorry I'm not much help, just had to vent a little about the mail system here and the non-existence of traditional addresses .

Yeah, you can see I put the word 'address' in quotes since it is being used in a liberal way! That's actually something I'm super worried about- getting an RFE and then NEVER getting a paper on it. I have a PO box, but none of my mail makes it there either. I think it's all being stolen. I'm trying to use my novio's dad's PO box to see if I get better results, but I'm not holding my breath.

[MichonandRuben 15]

I was living in the USA at the time and received all the mail regarding this process here, so that wasn't a concern for me. You may be able to file using a parent's address in the USA so that if you do receive mail you can have them scan it and send it to you...

The other thing I would say is that you should definitely fill out the G-1145 and attach it to your packet so that you receive the notifications through your email as well when anything happens. There is website that you can use to check the status of your petition:

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard/ProcTimes.do

I hope that helps a little bit. I too do not trust receiving mail at all in CR. The embassy trusts the mail system in that country so little that they ask you to pick up your packet 3 at the embassy instead of mailing it out to you, for what it's worth.