CR-1 Preparation | I-130

[808 0]

Greetings, VJ community!

I’m preparing to begin the CR-1 visa process for my wife and her adolescent son. Both are citizens of the Philippines, and I’m a US citizen. Based on my state residence, I’ll be mailing their I-130 packets to the USCIS Phoenix Lockbox. I’ve read many posts on VJ forums about the CR-1 process, including the IR-1/CR-1 Guide. However, I wanted to consult with the VJ members for any advice before the I-130 packets are mailed. The following documents will be included in the I-130 packets.

Spouse Packet

1. Cover Page
2. Payment
3. Cover Letter
4. Form G-1145
5. Form I-130
6. Form I-864
7. Form G-325A — Petitioner
8. Passport Style Photo — Petitioner
9. Form G-325A — Spouse
10. Passport Style Photo — Spouse
11. Birth Certificate — Petitioner
12. Birth Certificate — Spouse
13. LCR Legitimation — Spouse Birth Certificate
14. Current Passport — Spouse
15. Expired Passport — Spouse
16. CFO Guidance & Counseling Certificate — Spouse
17. Marriage Certificate
18. Report of Marriage
19. Advisory of Marriage
20. CENOMAR — Spouse
21. Joint Apartment Lease
22. Family Photos
23. Remittance Receipts
24. Passport Stamps — Petitioner
25. Passport Stamps — Spouse
26. Flight Itineraries
27. Hotel Vouchers
28. Wedding Package Voucher

Stepchild Packet

1. Cover Page
2. Payment
3. Cover Letter
4. Form G-1145
5. Form I-130
6. Form G-325A — Petitioner
7. Passport Style Photo — Petitioner
8. Passport Style Photo — Stepchild
9. Birth Certificate — Petitioner
10. Birth Certificate — Stepchild
11. LCR Legitimation — Stepchild Birth Certificate
12. Passport — Stepchild
13. Marriage Certificate — Petitioner & Spouse
14. Report of Marriage — Petitioner & Spouse
15. Advisory of Marriage — Petitioner & Spouse
16. CENOMAR — Spouse
17. Family Photos

Notes

1. My wife and I were married in Fiji. In addition to our Fiji marriage certificate, we filed an official Report of Marriage with the Philippine Embassy.
   
2. We obtained our Report of Marriage on SECPA (security paper) from the PSA. The PSA confirmed to us that our SECPA Report of Marriage is our marriage contract in the Philippines.
   
3. Our SECPA Report of Marriage has been authenticated in the Philippines by both the PSA and the DFA (red ribbon process).

Questions

1. Are there any documents that should be added or removed?
   
2. Should the order of the documents in either packet be changed?
   
3. The USCIS lists the I-130 filing fee as $420 for each person. As a result, my total filing fee will be $840. Because I don’t have any checks available, I’ll pay with two separate money orders of $420 each purchased from the USPS. The I-130 instructions from the USCIS state to make money orders payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. However, no address is given. Do I need to include an address for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or can I leave that section blank on the money orders?
   
4. Should I include Form I-864 with the I-130 packets, or will it be required at a later stage in the CR-1 process?
   
5. If I need to get a joint sponsor, which form do they need to complete? Is it Form I-864, Form I-864A, or a different form?
   
6. Should my stepson’s packet include a Form G-325A for himself?
   
7. Should my stepson’s packet include his passport style photo?
   
8. How many family photos should I provide as evidence of a bonafide marriage?
   
9. I’ll be mailing both I-130 packets in the same envelope through Fedex. The USCIS Phoenix Lockbox lists a separate mailing address for express mail and commercial courier deliveries. Does that include Fedex?

I apologize if any of my questions have already been answered in previous posts. Thanks in advance for your help!

[JFH 12,190]

The I-864 is for the NVC stage. It won't be required for some time.

Joint sponsors also complete an I-864. Household members who are combining with a joint sponsor to reach the required amount complete an I-864A. But that is some months away yet.

No G325A required for minors.

Include a selection of photos of you over the course of the relationship. Don't go overboard as photos are secondary evidence anyway. I sent two or three from each year of our relationship showing that we had seen each other several times a year. 5 photos each taken at different times are much better than 200 wedding photos from the same day.

For FedEx use the commercial courier address for Phoenix.

Edited October 2, 2016 by JFH

[Greenbaum 12,259]

Here are a few links for information that may help. I'm sorry, I don't have a lot of experience with CR1 visas.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/immigrant-process/approved.html

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/manila/1178798/Instructions%20Packets/iv-interview-preparation-instructions-english-feb-2016.pdf

[xmaricrisx 25]

Spouse Packet

1. Cover Page
2. Payment
3. Cover Letter
4. Form G-1145
5. Form I-130
6. Form I-864
7. Form G-325A — Petitioner
8. Passport Style Photo — Petitioner
9. Form G-325A — Spouse
10. Passport Style Photo — Spouse
11. Birth Certificate — Petitioner
12. Birth Certificate — Spouse
13. LCR Legitimation — Spouse Birth Certificate
14. Current Passport — Spouse
15. Expired Passport — Spouse
16. CFO Guidance & Counseling Certificate — Spouse
17. Marriage Certificate
18. Report of Marriage
19. Advisory of Marriage
20. CENOMAR — Spouse
21. Joint Apartment Lease
22. Family Photos
23. Remittance Receipts
24. Passport Stamps — Petitioner
25. Passport Stamps — Spouse
26. Flight Itineraries
27. Hotel Vouchers
28. Wedding Package Voucher

Stepchild Packet

1. Cover Page
2. Payment
3. Cover Letter
4. Form G-1145
5. Form I-130
6. Form G-325A — Petitioner
7. Passport Style Photo — Petitioner
8. Passport Style Photo — Stepchild
9. Birth Certificate — Petitioner
10. Birth Certificate — Stepchild
11. LCR Legitimation — Stepchild Birth Certificate
12. Passport — Stepchild
13. Marriage Certificate — Petitioner & Spouse
14. Report of Marriage — Petitioner & Spouse
15. Advisory of Marriage — Petitioner & Spouse
16. CENOMAR — Spouse
17. Family Photos

I have crossed out the documents that you do not need to send to USCIS; but you should save them as you will need them for when you get to the NVC & Interview stages. JFH has already answered your other questions Good luck on your visa journey!

[teddy k 35]

Hi, just to add make sure you make at least 3 copies of all of everything that you have document, civil. And personal cuz you will need to have on your journey

And make a duplicate package of what you send in to uscis

[Thozelle 16]

we submitted copy of CFO certificate and copy of passport with married name with our I-130. Several have posted that it is not necessary. But from our perspective, it was just more proof.

[Sagot 1,548]

And today.. it is still unnecessary

[Greenbaum 12,259]

My old friend Hank used to say "why do when do will do". ;-)

[Sagot 1,548]

Never DO-DO when DO will DO is how I heard the saying.

[808 0]

Thank you to everyone who replied!

The I-864 is for the NVC stage. It won't be required for some time.

Joint sponsors also complete an I-864. Household members who are combining with a joint sponsor to reach the required amount complete an I-864A. But that is some months away yet.

No G325A required for minors.

Include a selection of photos of you over the course of the relationship. Don't go overboard as photos are secondary evidence anyway. I sent two or three from each year of our relationship showing that we had seen each other several times a year. 5 photos each taken at different times are much better than 200 wedding photos from the same day.

For FedEx use the commercial courier address for Phoenix.

Your answers were especially helpful. Much appreciated!

I have crossed out the documents that you do not need to send to USCIS; but you should save them as you will need them for when you get to the NVC & Interview stages. JFH has already answered your other questions Good luck on your visa journey!

Noted. Thank you!

Hi, just to add make sure you make at least 3 copies of all of everything that you have document, civil. And personal cuz you will need to have on your journey And make a duplicate package of what you send in to uscis

Definitely. I'll make a duplicate package of my official USCIS submission.

we submitted copy of CFO certificate and copy of passport with married name with our I-130. Several have posted that it is not necessary. But from our perspective, it was just more proof.

We share the same perspective.

Edited October 8, 2016 by 808

[Brassballs 47]

I'd send your bio with your son's packet. At some point you will need PSA BC's not the LCR version. Sequentially number each page before copying and sending. Some where in your cover letter state that you are filing for spouse and dependent and you want both to processed together at USCIS and NVC.

On the I130 there is a question about who will be applying on this document. Leave that blank on your wife's. I entered my step daughter's name and it got rejected. Have your wife apply for passport with your surname. Much easier in the future.

[808 0]

I'd send your bio with your son's packet. At some point you will need PSA BC's not the LCR version. Sequentially number each page before copying and sending. Some where in your cover letter state that you are filing for spouse and dependent and you want both to processed together at USCIS and NVC.

On the I130 there is a question about who will be applying on this document. Leave that blank on your wife's. I entered my step daughter's name and it got rejected. Have your wife apply for passport with your surname. Much easier in the future.

Thanks for the helpful information. I have the PSA birth certificates of both my wife and stepson. Each PSA birth certificate has a corresponding LCR certificate. I'll make sure to number each page sequentially. Noted about the cover letter. My wife has already obtained a new passport, SSS card, and other photo ID's with my surname.

What should my bio consist of? Do you have an example?

Just to clarify about my wife's Form I-130, I'm not supposed to enter my stepson's name where it asks who will be applying on that document, correct? I'll leave that field blank.

Edited October 9, 2016 by 808

[Brassballs 47]

Bio I was referring to is the 325. Someone previously crossed that out. Each packet should contain identical docs as pertains to the individual (no MC in your son's, duh). Total redundancy, but that's what USCIS wants.

Correct. Leave that space blank. I didn't and got a RFE. Actually I thought (misguided) that my step-daughter could be on the same ap. Big mistake on my part.

[808 0]

Bio I was referring to is the 325. Someone previously crossed that out. Each packet should contain identical docs as pertains to the individual (no MC in your son's, duh). Total redundancy, but that's what USCIS wants.

Correct. Leave that space blank. I didn't and got a RFE. Actually I thought (misguided) that my step-daughter could be on the same ap. Big mistake on my part.

I see. In that case, I'll include the G-325A in my stepson's packet.

Understood about the I-130. Thanks again for the information.

Edited October 10, 2016 by 808