Getting my NVC packet ready

[JDMwife 0]

First off, thank you to everyone that helped with the previous thread I started that had questions regarding the IV application. Much appreciated.

Now, I am starting to assemble the remaining documents for the packet being sent to the NVC.

I'll be filing the I-864EZ Affidavit of Support, so I want to make sure I am collecting the right items.

IRS Tax Transcript (Items I...almost...have in my possession)

I have one for the 2014 year, and am waiting for my 2013 and 2012.

Evidence of Income (Item I have in my possession)

Because I lived in Japan for 10 years, I didn't make a lot of money for 2013 or 2012. Plus, after moving back and starting my new job, I didn't work a full tax year for 2014, so I have requested an employment letter from my employer. I have also printed out my most current pay stub. I've done this because, while I am pretty sure my first full year (Jan-Dec 2015) of working will put me over the minimum income requirement, I'd like to have a few things extra just so the NVC sees that I will make enough money per year for my wife and three children.

Proof of Relationship (Item I have in my possession)

Since I'm filing the I-864EZ, do I need to mail them a copy of our marriage certificate? I would guess no because I already sent that in with the original I-130 petition, correct? Would it hurt to send it anyway or should I not?

Proof of Domicile

Because my mailing address and physical address are the same, I do not need to worry about this, correct?

Proof of U.S. Status

Again, since I'm filing the !-864EZ, I do not need to worry about this, correct?

Social Security Administration (SSA) Earnings Statement

I'm not, nor have I ever, collected any of the SSA benefits, so I do not need to worry about this, correct?

Proof of Assets

Again, not needed since I'm filing I-864EZ?

There are also some items that I'll need from my wife to send in also, if I am understanding correctly.

Birth Certificate

One photocopy sent to the NVC with the documents I've mentioned above, plus the original and a photocopy to take to her interview. Now, does this mean for the translated birth certificate, the original birth certificate or both? For example, will she need the original certificate, plus a copy, plus the translation, plus a copy? Will I need a photocopy of the original and a photocopy of the translation?

Court and Prison Records

I don't think my wife has ever even been pulled over for speeding...so not needed?

Marriage Certificate (Item I have already in my possession)

Again, as with the above "Proof of Relationship", they should have the I-130 packet that has a copy of our marriage certificate, right? I know she'll have to take the original and a photocopy to the interview, but isn't this kind of redundant? Can anyone explain? Or are they asking for our Japanese one, translated and photocopied?

Marriage Termination Documentation, Military Records

This is our first and only marriage for both of us. My wife never served in the military, but I did from 1997-2001, which is when we met. We married after my enlistment was up, so this doesn't apply to me, correct?

Petitioner Documents

Since I'm applying for an IR-1/CR-1, this is not necessary, correect?

Photocopy of Valid Passport Biographic Data Page

This is pretty cut and dried. I've got no questions on this one.

Photographs

Do I need to mail in the photographs to the NVC or are these for her interview or both? It doesn't say what to do with them unlike the other items above where it tells you what needs to go where.

Police Certificate

Ok...according to my wife, the envelope she received from the local police office is sealed and CANNOT be opened. Does this item not need a translation? How am I supposed to send a photocopy to the NVC if it can't be opened? This one has me very confused...how can I do either one, if that envelope cannot be opened?

Again, I thank everyone for their help and guidance with these questions. It's nice to have a knowledgeable base to ask these types of things.

[teeak 224]

1) You only need IRS tax transcripts for the most recent tax year.

2) Yes, employment letter and pay stubs are good supporting documents.

3) Proof of relationship is only needed if you are using a household member's income and need to prove the relationship of the household member to the sponsor.

4) Yes, no need to worry about this.

5) Proof of U.S. status is only needed for joint sponsors.

6) Yes, no need to worry about this.

7) Yes, not needed.

8) Yes, send NVC a photocopy of the actual birth certificate and the translation. Yes, she'll need an original and translation plus copies of both to bring to the interview/

9) Yes, not needed.

10) Yes, but NVC will need a photocopy of the Japanese marriage certificate and a photocopy of the translation. I'm assuming once you got married, you only received a Japanese one? Or is there a separate marriage registration in English? Either way, submit copies to NVC. She'll need to bring originals to the interview. I don't think they go through the I-130 packet. They only look through the documents you submit now.

11) Yes, they only request military documents from the beneficiary.

12) Yes, not necessary.

13) Yes, cut and dry.

14) Yes, send 2 (2 x 2) color photos to NVC. I believe she will need to bring another 2 with her to the interview.

15) Send the sealed envelope to NVC. They will then forward it to the embassy for the interview. From this site: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/JA.html

Sealed Envelope: Japanese Police Certificates are issued in a sealed envelope. If the seal is broken, the certificate is considered invalid. Visa applicants should not open a sealed envelope containing a Police Certificate prior to submitting it to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate or the National Visa Center.

[JDMwife 0]

1) You only need IRS tax transcripts for the most recent tax year.

- What about for the past two years as it asks on the IV application? Is that optional or required? Living and working in Japan, my adjusted gross income for 2012 and 2013 was $0 because of some exemption. That's why I requested my tax transcripts.

2) Yes, employment letter and pay stubs are good supporting documents.

3) Proof of relationship is only needed if you are using a household member's income and need to prove the relationship of the household member to the sponsor.

- Household member as is someone other than myself? Joint sponsor type thing?

4) Yes, no need to worry about this.

5) Proof of U.S. status is only needed for joint sponsors.

6) Yes, no need to worry about this.

7) Yes, not needed.

8) Yes, send NVC a photocopy of the actual birth certificate and the translation. Yes, she'll need an original and translation plus copies of both to bring to the interview/

9) Yes, not needed.

10) Yes, but NVC will need a photocopy of the Japanese marriage certificate and a photocopy of the translation. I'm assuming once you got married, you only received a Japanese one? Or is there a separate marriage registration in English? Either way, submit copies to NVC. She'll need to bring originals to the interview. I don't think they go through the I-130 packet. They only look through the documents you submit now.

- We were first married in the U.S. then she did all the paperwork for our marriage to be legal and recognized in Japan. I'm not sure if they have marriage certificates like they do here in the U.S. or not. I'll get what's needed though.

11) Yes, they only request military documents from the beneficiary.

12) Yes, not necessary.

13) Yes, cut and dry.

14) Yes, send 2 (2 x 2) color photos to NVC. I believe she will need to bring another 2 with her to the interview.

15) Send the sealed envelope to NVC. They will then forward it to the embassy for the interview. From this site: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country/JA.html

Sealed Envelope: Japanese Police Certificates are issued in a sealed envelope. If the seal is broken, the certificate is considered invalid. Visa applicants should not open a sealed envelope containing a Police Certificate prior to submitting it to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate or the National Visa Center.

Thank you! I asked a couple of questions from your answers above in the quote, as well.

[teeak 224]

1) Hmmm, on the I-864 it just asks you list your income from the previous years. However, if you look at Part 6, Number 18b, you'll see that it's optional to submit for the 2nd and 3rd recent years. The note tells you only need to submit a copy of the most recent tax year.

3) Yes, household member as in someone else. For example, if you claimed a child as a dependent and they earned an income that you were using to meet the minimum poverty threshold. They'd submit an I-864A and you'd need to provide proof of their relationship to you. Or if there was a joint sponsor who was also using their spouse's income then the spouse would need to provide evidence of their relationship to the joint sponsor. In your case, this is not necessary.

10) So, technically, your date of marriage is the day you got married in the US? If so, it's probably sufficient to just submit a copy of your US marriage certificate. Your wife would bring the original to the interview and she can provide proof that your marriage was recognized in Japan if requested by the CO.

[JDMwife 0]

1) Hmmm, on the I-864 it just asks you list your income from the previous years. However, if you look at Part 6, Number 18b, you'll see that it's optional to submit for the 2nd and 3rd recent years. The note tells you only need to submit a copy of the most recent tax year.

3) Yes, household member as in someone else. For example, if you claimed a child as a dependent and they earned an income that you were using to meet the minimum poverty threshold. They'd submit an I-864A and you'd need to provide proof of their relationship to you. Or if there was a joint sponsor who was also using their spouse's income then the spouse would need to provide evidence of their relationship to the joint sponsor. In your case, this is not necessary.

10) So, technically, your date of marriage is the day you got married in the US? If so, it's probably sufficient to just submit a copy of your US marriage certificate. Your wife would bring the original to the interview and she can provide proof that your marriage was recognized in Japan if requested by the CO.

- Yes. When I honorably discharged from the military in early 2001, I went back to the U.S. She came over a few months after, met with an immigration lawyer, told her we wanted to get married and she said to get married, then file for adjustment of status, which we did. Everything went smooth from there to the end, then we moved back to Japan...lol

So, legally, we are married in the U.S. since June of 2001.

Thank you, again!