Proof of Engagement

[justintimewell 0]

What kind of proof of relationship or engagement is required? I have the ring receipt, our letters of intend to marry, chat history about getting married, yahoo, Facebook, and Skype, calls, texts, flower receipts, many pictures of us looking very much in love when I went to visit her in her country, several gift receipts, along with other receipts from when I visited her, airline receipts and boarding passes........ what else might we need to prove our relationship is legit?

[EndlessStory 53]

you are ok with all those for proof of meeting/on going relationship

[Crumulent 7]

Yeah, looks like you've got it covered. The letters of intent are the proof of engagement and everything else is proof of your relationship. I also recommend writing the dates of the photos on the backs of them and signing them.

[justintimewell 0]

Will they ask details about the wedding during the interview? We're not really sure yet about what kind of wedding we want to have, and also depends on what time of the year those 90 days happen to fall on if we are granted the visa.

[Crumulent 7]

They might ask some basic questions, but it's normal for couples to not make firm plans before having the Visa in hand, and they know that.

[Removed030114 48]

What kind of proof of relationship or engagement is required? I have the ring receipt, our letters of intend to marry, chat history about getting married, yahoo, Facebook, and Skype, calls, texts, flower receipts, many pictures of us looking very much in love when I went to visit her in her country, several gift receipts, along with other receipts from when I visited her, airline receipts and boarding passes........ what else might we need to prove our relationship is legit?

It's important to clarify that you do NOT need any proof of engagement. You do however need to include signed and dated letters from the both of you of intent to marry within 90-days of entering the USA. It's none of the US government's business as to whether you have a ring or cigar band, or nothing at all. They're only interested in complete and signed forms and proof of a bonafide relationship. You can complete all the paperwork without revealing the content of any personal message or email. You must show evidence of meeting face to face at least once in the past two years. Follow the K1 guideline here on VJ.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

Edited February 17, 2014 by CNTrav

[OuVisaJourney2012 4]

make wedding plans, if you can. Print samples of your wedding invitation, that will be a plus.

I also recommend writing the dates of the photos on the backs of them and signing them.

[Zedayn 486]

The proof of engagement is your letter of intent.

It's important to clarify that you do NOT need any proof of engagement. You do however need to include signed and dated letters from the both of you of intent to marry within 90-days of entering the USA. It's none of the US government's business as to whether you have a ring or cigar band, or nothing at all. They're only interested in complete and signed forms and proof of a bonafide relationship. You can complete all the paperwork without revealing the content of any personal message or email. You must show evidence of meeting face to face at least once in the past two years. Follow the K1 guideline here on VJ.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

I disagree in part with that statement because the proof (or evidence) of engagement are your signed letters of intent. This is required for the initial I-129f petition, as well as a requirement for the interview at the embassy. The CO at the interview may not ask you to show the evidence of engagement, but you should always be prepared with updated letters of intent.

This is from the K-1 instructions for USEM in the Philippines:

EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. You must be prepared to prove to the consular officer that you have a genuine relationship with your petitioner and a clear intention to marry within 90 days of admission into the U.S. In the past, successful applicants have submitted photographs, letters, e-mails, phone records, bank records, and remittance records as evidence supporting their relationships and intent to marry.

[Removed030114 48]

The proof of engagement is your letter of intent.

I disagree in part with that statement because the proof (or evidence) of engagement are your signed letters of intent. This is required for the initial I-129f petition, as well as a requirement for the interview at the embassy. The CO at the interview may not ask you to show the evidence of engagement, but you should always be prepared with updated letters of intent.

This is from the K-1 instructions for USEM in the Philippines:

EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. You must be prepared to prove to the consular officer that you have a genuine relationship with your petitioner and a clear intention to marry within 90 days of admission into the U.S. In the past, successful applicants have submitted photographs, letters, e-mails, phone records, bank records, and remittance records as evidence supporting their relationships and intent to marry.

Read again what I wrote, which clearly states that both the beneficiary and the petitioner must submit copies of a letter of intent to marry within 90-days. This letter of intent is not a letter of engagement, or evidence of a bonafide relationship. If a US consulate wants to go rogue and behave in a unilateral fashion by asking for evidence that contradicts the US state department and it's subsidiary the USCIS, then they are ripe for the picking of a civil suit. The best thing anyone can do before filing paperwork is to read the directions for each form. I know that sounds like common sense, but so many miss this simple step.

Look at page 5, item 7b of the instructions for the I-129f, which is a separate document from the form itself. It states:

"Submit evidence that you and your fiance(e) intend to marry within 90 days of your fiance(e)s entry as a K1. Evidence of your intention to marry may include a letter of intent to marry."

There is nothing in the instructions for the I-129f, or the form itself that mentions anything about an engagement, or a ring, asking mom and dad, or the personal soothsayer. Okay, sure, if you promise to marry someone within 90 days of arriving to the US it's an engagement, but don't confuse a formal engagement with a letter of intent, or providing evidence of a bona fide relationship.

[Zedayn 486]

I have read what you wrote very clearly, as I have the instructions for the I-129f. Let me be clear in my response to you. Evidence of engagement IS required, and a letter of intent is evidence of that engagement.

EVIDENCE OF A GENUINE ENGAGEMENT. You must be prepared to prove to the consular officer that you have a genuine relationship with your petitioner and a clear intention to marry within 90 days of admission into the U.S. In the past, successful applicants have submitted photographs, letters, e-mails, phone records, bank records, and remittance records as evidence supporting their relationships and intent to marry.

Letters is listed as one of the evidences you can use for evidence of a genuine engagement...ie letters of intent.

"Submit evidence that you and your fiance(e) intend to marry within 90 days of your fiance(e)s entry as a K1. Evidence of your intention to marry may include a letter of intent to marry."

You just said it...evidence that you intend to marry. An intent to marry is an engagement. It may not specifically say "engagement", but seriously, if you are intending to get married you are engaged.

ETA: If you are talking about a formal engagement, such as a proposal, engagement party, etc., then I agree with you that it is not required. I am simply referring to the letter of intent as your form or recognition of your engagement (or intent) to marry.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Zedayn

[Removed030114 48]

I have read what you wrote very clearly, as I have the instructions for the I-129f. Let me be clear in my response to you. Evidence of engagement IS required, and a letter of intent is evidence of that engagement.

Letters is listed as one of the evidences you can use for evidence of a genuine engagement...ie letters of intent.

You just said it...evidence that you intend to marry. An intent to marry is an engagement. It may not specifically say "engagement", but seriously, if you are intending to get married you are engaged.

ETA: If you are talking about a formal engagement, such as a proposal, engagement party, etc., then I agree with you that it is not required. I am simply referring to the letter of intent as your form or recognition of your engagement (or intent) to marry.

Truly, a letter of intent to marry is an engagement isn't it? The instructions you write from the US embassy in the Philippines calls it an engagement, but then goes on to define what evidence is needed to prove "your intention" to marry. A formal engagement is NOT required. By formal engagement I mean getting a ring, having a party, and so on. All that's needed is a letter of intent to marry, evidence of having met in the previous two years, and evidence of a continuing relationship to prove the bona fide part.

[CowBoE 429]

It's good that you are double checking things, but its simpler.

All you need is "letter of intent to marry" for your proof of engagement,

And you just need to file your marriage to the court for proof of marriage.

While engagement ring and wedding ceremony evidence may strengthen

your approval, they are not necessary at all.

That said, your proof of meeting in person is really important and required,

so submit all evidence such as airline itinerary, hotel receipts, local currency

conversion receipts, pictures taken together, email/phone/skype communication

records, etc.

Best wishes.

Edited February 17, 2014 by johnim