How to finalize CR-1 petition before sending in?

[JessieABC 159]

14 hours ago, christine55 said:

Hi all,

 

I am finalizing all the paperwork for the petition to get my spouse a green card in the U.S. I was just hoping someone could help me figure out the best way to organize all my paperwork.

I have the I-130, I-130a, G-1145, a copy of my U.S. birth certificate, a copy of our marriage license, 2 passport photos of me and 2 of my husband, something that shows proof of our joint bank account, a copy of our daughter's U.S. birth certificate and a cover later stating our intention and the contents of the packet. 

 

I know not to use staples and only paperclips to keep the papers together, but should I use a post it at the bottom of each new section and say what the section Is? Should I put everything into a folder? I just want to make sure it's all done correctly.

 

We will be sending the packet off to my mom back in the states and she will get the money order for us and send it to Phoenix. Are we missing anything else?

 

Thanks so much!

I included a table of contents (i went overboard and overloaded) with colored tabs detailing out each section (e.g., Section 1 for forms and required documents, section 2 for financial ties, section 3 for evidence of relationship) and subsection.

 

I then dumped everything in a folder that closes with taped a sheet with our names/ role (petitioner, beneficiary) and dates of birth on the front of the folder just in case.

 

As for evidence, what the others above said.  Photos, time together, common bills, leases, etc. are all strong support of a bona fide marriage.  Joint accounts, establishing each other as authorized users on your credit card account, adding each other as life insurance/savings account/retirement account beneficiaries are other easy ways to establish financial ties without too much hassle.

 

[mrx3214 4]

The package is sent to a private company first, then scanned in. Most likely the sticky notes will be discarded.  Do whatever makes you feel the best about sending the package.  

 

I would send chat logs, photos, emails, travel tickets, hotel reservations more the better.  I had over 10,000 pages of chat logs.. I only sent about 100 or so. Some from each web chat program..  

 

I would run though the checklist one more time make sure everything is signed. 

[MrHanky 1,377]

I took a few photos from every month and put about 4 on each page and put a comment below them of when and what was going on.

It's good to have photos of more than just you two, try to have some with friends and family and note that below the photo.

I printed them out on an office printer.

 

I didn't include a ton of chats, maybe just 10 pages which wasn't very much.

 

I had a ton of plane tickets so I printed out confirmations of the purchases and also printed out the charges from my credit card.