Last Question Before Filing!

[dsldesch 27]

Now that the date is so close and I'm sending forms to my fiance for signing, the stress level just skyrocketed. I never knew it was so easy to forget to breathe.

Anyways, first question: My fiance's current address is his last address outside the US, so his "to" date on the G-325A is "present," but it has to be in month/year form. Do we leave this blank or how do we fill it in? He's in school in Mexico until June, but that seems like wishful thinking to say he'll be moving here in only four or five months.

Last question: Here's the table of contents from our cover letter. I've put a star next to everything I'm sending my fiance to sign. Is there anything we're missing?

1. Payment in the amount of $ [PUT IN CORRECT FEE]
2. G-1145, Request for e-Notification
3. I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
4. I-129F Supplement: Part 2, Question 34.a, Explanation of Meeting *
5. G-325A with supplement and passport style photo (Petitioner)
6. G-325A with supplement and passport style photo (Beneficiary) *
7. Birth certificate of Petitioner to verify U.S. citizenship
8. Complete scan of Petitioner’s passport to prove meeting within the past two years
9. Letters certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary) *
10. Evidence of ongoing relationship: messages, photos, and boarding passes

We've been working on this for literally months, so my rational mind says we're good to go, but my emotional mind suddenly only knows how to panic, and a second set of eyes will help reassure us both we're doing things correctly.

[Megan & Luke 93]

Sounds much like my packet we submitted back in July 2014. We were approved recently without an RFE so I like to think our meticulous nature helped A few things though:

1. Is your I-129F typed, printed and then signed (wet signature) by you? You aren't required to type it, but I can't help thinking typed petitions avoid RFE's for bad handwriting.

2. Black ink only and make sure everything is one-sided when printing.

3. In all areas of the G-325A which did not apply to you (ie: Name of previous spouse) did you put None or N/A? I don't believe this is required, but it's been suggested to do so. This helps -> http://www.visajourney.com/examples/INS-Form-G-325A.pdf

4. It's suggested (not sure it's required) to put your passport photos in a separate bag each, label them and paper-clip them to their respective G-325A. I used Ziplock baggies and put one label on each with our names. You will also need to lightly write the name on the back of each passport photo with a pencil or felt pen.

5. USCIS prefers if the pages are left loose in their proper order, or you can use paper clips or ACCO fasteners. This helps for mailing ->http://www.visajourney.com/content/assemblyYour list above follows the suggested assembly of the packet per the USCIS tips so that's good to go.

6. Remember to make a complete copy of the entire packet before you mail it. You will want to send a copy of this to your fiance for the interview and it's always good to have proof in the way of a backup. When I say everything I mean everything! Make copies of the money order/check, every application and form, all evidence, etc. in the order you submitted it.

7. My fiance and I also submitted a supplement explaining our wedding details. This isn't required, but it added more credit towards us in the way of a legit relationship that planned our next step together.

We poured over ours for about a month, I probably drove him nuts It was worth it though to speed things up slightly by not receiving an RFE. Sounds like your packet is good so far!

Good luck

Edited February 5, 2015 by Megan & Luke

[dsldesch 27]

Thank you so much for your help!

1. Typed, printed, and signed--in fact, not signed yet, since I'm sending the forms my fiance needs to sign to him today, then mailing it all when his signature arrive.

2. Black ink. This is something I hadn't realized. Thank you!

3. Yes. The only point of uncertainty is my fiance's last address out of the US box, which is also his current address. Do we leave the "[here] to" box blank because it's present, or do we fill in a specific date...?

4. Got it. Does the felt pen color matter?

5. Will most copy places be able to punch two holes at the top...?

6. I had known to make copies, but not of the checks we're sending. Thank you for adding that detail.

7. We've included sparse wedding details in our letters of intent to marry, specifying we plan to have a civil ceremony when he arrives and then plan a religious ceremony at our synagogue for friends and family. That's about as concrete as our plans can be with so much uncertainty, so it's all we're comfortable saying.

Thank you so much! I know I've driven my fiance nuts (I do feel bad for him, but it can't be helped), and we've literally taken since August because we've both had to balance school and work obligations while compiling everything. So after five months of preparation, I want to believe we're ready, but I'm still jittery with nerves. Thank you so much for your help. It has certainly been reassuring. I think the only thing I need to figure out is the point about the date on his G-325A (see number 3, or first post), and then I think we're good to start getting this going.

[baron555 934]

Anyways, first question: My fiance's current address is his last address outside the US, so his "to" date on the G-325A is "present," but it has to be in month/year form.

Write in Present

but that seems like wishful thinking to say he'll be moving here in only four or five months.

Yep, plan for 10 months be happy with 5.

Last question: Here's the table of contents from our cover letter. I've put a star next to everything I'm sending my fiance to sign. Is there anything we're missing?

1. Payment in the amount of $ [PUT IN CORRECT FEE] Find it yourself in the 129f Instructions.
2. G-1145, Request for e-Notification
3. I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
4. I-129F Supplement: Part 2, Question 34.a, Explanation of Meeting *
5. G-325A with supplement and passport style photo (Petitioner)
6. G-325A with supplement and passport style photo (Beneficiary) *
7. Birth certificate of Petitioner to verify U.S. citizenship
8. Complete scan of Petitioner’s passport to prove meeting within the past two years
9. Letters certifying intent to marry (Petitioner and Beneficiary) *
10. Evidence of ongoing relationship: messages, photos, and boarding passes No, only need evidence of your meeting in person.

[Zedayn 486]

Thank you so much for your help!

1. Typed, printed, and signed--in fact, not signed yet, since I'm sending the forms my fiance needs to sign to him today, then mailing it all when his signature arrive.

2. Black ink. This is something I hadn't realized. Thank you!

3. Yes. The only point of uncertainty is my fiance's last address out of the US box, which is also his current address. Do we leave the "[here] to" box blank because it's present, or do we fill in a specific date...?

4. Got it. Does the felt pen color matter?

5. Will most copy places be able to punch two holes at the top...?

6. I had known to make copies, but not of the checks we're sending. Thank you for adding that detail.

7. We've included sparse wedding details in our letters of intent to marry, specifying we plan to have a civil ceremony when he arrives and then plan a religious ceremony at our synagogue for friends and family. That's about as concrete as our plans can be with so much uncertainty, so it's all we're comfortable saying.

Thank you so much! I know I've driven my fiance nuts (I do feel bad for him, but it can't be helped), and we've literally taken since August because we've both had to balance school and work obligations while compiling everything. So after five months of preparation, I want to believe we're ready, but I'm still jittery with nerves. Thank you so much for your help. It has certainly been reassuring. I think the only thing I need to figure out is the point about the date on his G-325A (see number 3, or first post), and then I think we're good to start getting this going.

2. You can use either blue or black ink. Either is acceptable.

3. You will put the current month and date that you sign the form in the TO field.

4. You can write the name in blue or black ink as well with no problems. It says to "lightly write" but you can write on the back of it like you would any other photo.

5. You can ask around if a copy place can do the 2 hole punch at the top, but its not necessary for you to do it. You can just assemble your papers by using paperclips and that is fine. That is how we did it.

7. Your letters of intent should be as clear and concise as possible in stating your intents to marry. You should ONLY include the statement that you are legally free and willing to marry, and leave out extra details of a wedding ceremony, or other wedding plans. The reason for this is because you want the person looking at your petition to KNOW that it is a letter of intent and not a supplement describing how you will get married. People have gotten RFEs for a letter of intent when their original letter of intent was not clear. If you want to include a letter of your wedding plans, that is perfectly fine. However, I would keep it separate from your actual letters of intent.

[Megan & Luke 93]

2. You can use either blue or black ink. Either is acceptable.

3. You will put the current month and date that you sign the form in the TO field.

4. You can write the name in blue or black ink as well with no problems. It says to "lightly write" but you can write on the back of it like you would any other photo.

5. You can ask around if a copy place can do the 2 hole punch at the top, but its not necessary for you to do it. You can just assemble your papers by using paperclips and that is fine. That is how we did it.

7. Your letters of intent should be as clear and concise as possible in stating your intents to marry. You should ONLY include the statement that you are legally free and willing to marry, and leave out extra details of a wedding ceremony, or other wedding plans. The reason for this is because you want the person looking at your petition to KNOW that it is a letter of intent and not a supplement describing how you will get married. People have gotten RFEs for a letter of intent when their original letter of intent was not clear. If you want to include a letter of your wedding plans, that is perfectly fine. However, I would keep it separate from your actual letters of intent.

USCIS may allow it through with blue ink, however their instruction PDF specifically states 'type or print legibly in black ink'. I'm literal when it comes to that, and since it's not a hassle to do black, I would stick with their specific I-129F instructions.

For OP: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

Have a look at the Instructions for Form I-129F (281 KB PDF)

Sorry I can't help with the address, I don't want to steer you wrong but I don't have enough experience with that part.

Edited February 5, 2015 by Megan & Luke