Filing I-130 Outside the U.S.

[h.linds 4]

Hi,

 

We are currently filing the form I-130 as the first step in getting me (the foreign wife) a greencard (IR-1).  I and my American husband are both working and living in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have so many questions regarding to the I-130 and hope you could help out. 

1. Mailing Address (Q.10 a- 11): Can I use my husband's US permanent address (parent-in-law's house) as my mailing address? When written notifications/letters are sent to us, will they use the mailing address or physical address? 

2. Place of Your Current Marriage (Q19.a-19.d): We registered our marriage at the place where we went to college together and got our marriage license there. However, the actual wedding location was at another place (his grandma's city). What are we supposed to fill? The place on our marriage license or where the wedding took place?

3. Q60b: We have always lived together (prior to our marriage when I was a student in the US and since we moved to Vietnam) and are filing our petition from Vietnam. What should we put here? (a) Leave it blank (b) Put the date signed on the I-130 (c) PRESENT

4. The best way to send our I-130 Petition Package: since we are in Vietnam, would it be better for us to send our package straight from VN to the Chicago Lockbox, or should we send it to my parents-in-law and have them forwarded the package to Chicago Lockbox? 

5. Fee payment made to the USCIS: We reside oversea and USCIS don't accept online bank transfer or credit card payment, what can we do? 

 

Your information is much much appreciated !!! 

 

 

 

 

[Ryan H 3,897]

***Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.***

 

**Moderator hat off**

 

Answers:

1. Your mailing address should be what your mailing address actually is.  Your husband (the petitioner) can use his parent's address.  At this stage of the process USCIS will only send correspondence to the petitioner, not the beneficiary.
2. Where you issued a marriage license or a marriage certificate at the place you registered at?  If you were issued a marriage certificate, then the place where the certificate was issued is where your marriage took place.
3. Write "Present" - the form may not allow you to type that word, if that is the case, you will need to write it in with a pen.
4. see my next answer
5. Send the package to your in-laws and have them enclose the payment (you can reimburse them later), they can send the package on to the lockbox from their home.  USCIS will not care who pays the fee, only that the fee is correct.

[h.linds 4]

Thanks a lot for your answers, Ryan! Apologizes for posting on the wrong place as I'm a newbie.