My First Post - Upcoming CR1 Filing

[mlucasva 1]

Greetings,

I've lurked here for quite some time, and it's time I finally make my first post. I married my wonderful wife September 12th and we're getting everything together to file for her CR1 visa. This post is mainly me saying hello to this amazing community that I'm hoping to be accepted as a member of. I know I'm just beginning what will be a long and sometimes frustrating process, but I hope to survive it with assistance and guidance from everyone here.

I also had a few quick questions out of the gate, if I may. Tomorrow my wife will mail her documents to me for the first phase: marriage certificate with translation, her G-325A, and her passport photos. The translation was done by a friend who also translated our wedding ceremony, with the statement at the bottom (that they're fluent and assuring its accuracy) that we found here. That's all we need for the marriage certificate right? No apostille?

Also, as far as proof of a bonafide marriage, I plan to include a statement from my bank showing that she was added to my account and thus we are co-mingling financial resources, a few affidavits from my family and friends who have witnessed the entire relationship and were at the wedding, and some chat histories from Facebook and WhatsApp to show constant contact and communication for several years. Is this good enough? I'm really hoping to avoid an RFE...

Again, thanks for everything. You guys are the best!!

[Anh map 2,098]

Affidavits are of little value. No one ever writes a bad one.

Be sure to show evidence of time spent together (boarding passes, travel receipts, passport stamps, photos in different places, etc.) from the beginning of the relationship to present day.

[mlucasva 1]

Affidavits are of little value. No one ever writes a bad one.

Be sure to show evidence of time spent together (boarding passes, travel receipts, passport stamps, photos in different places, etc.) from the beginning of the relationship to present day.

Roger that, yeah I forgot to add that in. I plan to put pictures from every time we've been together, including the wedding. I have some of the boarding passes and hotel receipts, and also my passport stamps that will be in the package.

And understood on the affidavits, should I even do them? I've been reading many people say they don't really matter, so maybe I shouldn't even bother with spending the time to gather them.

[Ryan H 3,891]

And understood on the affidavits, should I even do them? I've been reading many people say they don't really matter, so maybe I shouldn't even bother with spending the time to gather them.

Skip the affidavits in favor of evidence of time spent together in-person.

[JusticeWarrior67 3]

Since you are newly married, i believe that USCIS doesn't really expect you guys to have any co-mingling financial resources. Just as instructed by USCIS the more you have, the better ( what you've got to lose anyways?) Me and my wife for example chose to collect affidavits from our friends and family members that attest our relationship (both of them have been at our wedding).

I've also talked to my attorney about this, and he said that we should submit whatever we can currently provide. Pictures of you guys together should be presented at your final interview (It's a CR-1 visa you're applying for, not a K-1- remember that, also USCIS doesn't ask you for any).

As for the translation for your marriage certificate, DO NOT use your friend to do that. It should be done by an accredited translation agency that's recognized by the states.

Best of luck!