"Affidavits by third parties" for a bona fide Marriage

[ElectricBlue30 0]

Hi All,

One of the required options for the proof of a bona fide marriage is what's listed below... but my questions about it are:

#1. Can these affidavits simply be a printed statement (as in using Microsoft Word for example) by my family and friends, and then signed?

#2. Do these signatures need to be signed in front of a notary?

Here are the instructions on this from the i130 checklist:

Affidavits by Third Parties for proof of a bona fide Marriage:

"Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage);"

[neilsqueen 433]

I had each of my letters signed in front of a notary. I had my son, sister in law, & two coworkers write the letters. It's good to have those who were present at the wedding be ones who write in your behalf.

[NikLR 13,232]

Affidavits have very low weight in the petition package.

At the bottom of this wiki is a list of things you can send with the I-130. The best things to send however, is proof of time spent together.

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/EZGuideSpouse

[mrskvelasco 30]

Our affidavits were all written in a word doc and their signatures were not notarized, and we got approved.

[Ryan H 3,834]

You don't send "proof" of a bona fide marriage, you send "evidence."

As previously stated, such affidavits carry little to zero weight in the overall evaluation of a file. Additionally, they are not required.

Also, as previously stated, focus on evidence of time spent together in-person, that will always be your strongest evidence.

Should you choose to include affidavits, notarization is not required and they should come from people who have interacted with you both as a couple on some level.