Do I need to copy the back of my birth certificate?

[Myguita 3]

Even though it's just a blank back? I read that I-130 petitioners send copies of the front and back of their BC's..Also, is it enough for the US citizen to just send a copy of the birth certificate, or should I also send pictures of my passport? If so , what pages?

Also here's what my cover letter reads..What do you think? Thanks for help and suggestions...

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Nature of Submission: I-130 petition

Dear Sir/Madam

Please find enclosed my form I-130 for Alien Relative, on behalf of my wife

In Support of my petition, please find enclosed:

Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance.

Payment in the amount of $420.

Form I-130 Petition of Alien Relative

Copy of US Citizen's Full Birth Certificate

Copy of Marriage Certificate

Form G325A completed by petitioner

One passport photo of US Citizen (in plastic bag with full name on back and attached to white paper)

Form G-325A completed by Beneficiary

One passport photo of intending immigrant (in plastic bag with full name on back and attached to white paper)

Evidence of Bona Fide Marriage, including:

-12 photos of various points in the relationship (with family) and marriage

-receipts including boarding passes, air itineraries, tenancy contract, engagement and wedding ring purchases, wedding dress and wedding flowers purchases, wedding venue and food, honeymoon reciepts, hotel accomodations

- copy of bank statement showing joint account

-Online chat history and emails

Edited August 30, 2013 by Myguita

[Myguita 3]

i have affidavit's but i read they are basically useless for the 1st step..should i include them?

Edited August 30, 2013 by Myguita

[vegasbound 83]

Sworn/notarized affidavits are not useless and they are specifically listed in the I-130 filing instructions. (refer link - Item 1(I) under 'What Documents Do You Need to Prove Family Relationship?') http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-130instr.pdf

Definition of affidavit : 'A written declaration made under oath before a notary public or other authorized officer.'

They are legal documents that carry a lot more weight that some of the items you listed such as online communication history and receipts for things you purchased for the wedding.

[Ryan H 3,812]

i have affidavit's but i read they are basically useless for the 1st step..should i include them?

Whether or not you choose to include them is up to you. If you choose to do so, they should come from people who have interacted with you both on some level as a couple.

To address some of the comments made by the previous poster, even though these affidavits appear on the instructions, including them is not a requirement nor is there any requirement to have them notarized (if they were required and/or notarization was required, the instructions would specifically state). Furthermore, all having them notarized means is the person who is signing the paper had their identity verified (i.e. the person doing the signing is who they say they are). It does nothing to bolster the content of the letter itself.

I almost laughed when I read the comment, "They are legal documents that carry a lot more weight that some of the items you listed such as online communication history and receipts for things you purchased for the wedding." That is pure BALONEY. Evidence of time spent together and communication will always supersede what a 3rd party writes on a piece of paper, always (at both the USCIS and Embassy/Consulate levels).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is nothing wrong with including such affidavits, just know that they carry little to zero weight in the overall evaluation of a file. In the interest of full disclosure, I opted to include such affidavits even though I knew full well they didn't carry much weight (if any) but my rationale for doing so was "every little bit helps." But what I did and what others should do is concentrate on gathering evidence of time spent together in-person. That is, has, and always will be your best evidence and the evidence that carries the most weight.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

Whether or not you choose to include them is up to you. If you choose to do so, they should come from people who have interacted with you both on some level as a couple.

To address some of the comments made by the previous poster, even though these affidavits appear on the instructions, including them is not a requirement nor is there any requirement to have them notarized (if they were required and/or notarization was required, the instructions would specifically state). Furthermore, all having them notarized means is the person who is signing the paper had their identity verified (i.e. the person doing the signing is who they say they are). It does nothing to bolster the content of the letter itself.

I almost laughed when I read the comment, "They are legal documents that carry a lot more weight that some of the items you listed such as online communication history and receipts for things you purchased for the wedding." That is pure BALONEY. Evidence of time spent together and communication will always supersede what a 3rd party writes on a piece of paper, always (at both the USCIS and Embassy/Consulate levels).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is nothing wrong with including such affidavits, just know that they carry little to zero weight in the overall evaluation of a file. In the interest of full disclosure, I opted to include such affidavits even though I knew full well they didn't carry much weight (if any) but my rationale for doing so was "every little bit helps." But what I did and what others should do is concentrate on gathering evidence of time spent together in-person. That is, has, and always will be your best evidence and the evidence that carries the most weight.

This is awesome advice and puts me and I'm sure a lot of people in the same boat at ease. I just got married to my husband, so the financial co-mingling part isn't an option at all, since none of his accounts or insurance will put me on without an SSN! I have a lot of evidence of time spent together, and of chats we've had online, some dating back to 2005. As long as you look at your evidence from a third party perspective and think "I can tell this couple is the real deal", I think you won't have a problem (unless you live in a country with a difficult embassy of course...)

[vegasbound 83]

I almost laughed when I read the comment, "They are legal documents that carry a lot more weight that some of the items you listed such as online communication history and receipts for things you purchased for the wedding." That is pure BALONEY. Evidence of time spent together and communication will always supersede what a 3rd party writes on a piece of paper, always (at both the USCIS and Embassy/Consulate levels).

But do you disagree with the definition of affidavit and that they are legal documents? And do you agree that they are useless?

Why then does the I-130 instructions specifically list that as a document that can prove family/spousal relationship? Why don't they list "communication history or evidence of time spent together" specifically in the instructions? Aren't photos enough prove to time spent together?

You also made the wrong comparison that affidavits equal "piece of paper". Affidavits are regularly used in legal courts.

The person who makes the affidavit is held accountable under the laws for their statements. Who in the right mind would put themselves in a such a position if they are not entirely confident about what they are attesting to (your relationship).

I'm just saying that you are entitled to have your opinion on the matter but to say that other people's opinions are baloney is plain rude, moderator or not.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Since I have no interest in derailing the thread by engaging in back and forth bickering, I will only respond to the below quoted statement.

Why then does the I-130 instructions specifically list that as a document that can prove family/spousal relationship? Why don't they list "communication history or evidence of time spent together" specifically in the instructions? Aren't photos enough prove to time spent together?

The instructions also say the following, "Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union." This is an all-encompassing statement that covers items such as pictures, communication history, and other evidence of time spent together.