RFE - Intent to Marry

[lecht008 8]

I got an RFE for intent to marry - which I think is ridiculous because who would go through this whole process just to have it invalidated by not getting married and then potentially face charges for illegally aiding someone to enter the country.  Anyways, I'm going to include: contract we have for a reception space, pictures of our engagement celebration/dinner, pictures and plane tickets of times we have seen each other since we got engaged, and another copy of our signed statement of intent to marry.  Should that additional evidence be sufficient, or am I missing something that is commonly included?  (We don't have invitations made since the timing of when the wedding would be is contingent on when her visa is approved, which is uncertain, to say the least).  

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

You just need to send what the RFE asks for, which is an intent to marry letter for each partner. 

Edited June 22, 2020 by Allaboutwaiting

[Sparkle Sparkle 913]

just give them what they sked for...and yes do include info on marriage preparations like halls ,,,reception etc

[lecht008 8]

5 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

You just need to send what the RFE asks for, which is an intent to marry letter for each partner. 

I already sent an intent to marry letter (signed by both of us) in the initial application.  The RFE does not ask for anything specific, just evidence of intent to marry, and says evidence of intent to marry could include evidence of wedding preparation, ongoing communications, evidence of financial support, communications about wedding, evidence family/friends are aware of the relationship, evidence of subsequent meetings, or any other evidence that might shed light on intent to marry 

[Just Paul 4,591]

5 minutes ago, lecht008 said:

I already sent an intent to marry letter (signed by both of us) in the initial application.  The RFE does not ask for anything specific, just evidence of intent to marry, and says evidence of intent to marry could include evidence of wedding preparation, ongoing communications, evidence of financial support, communications about wedding, evidence family/friends are aware of the relationship, evidence of subsequent meetings, or any other evidence that might shed light on intent to marry 

Both the petitioner and the beneficiary should have a seperate Intent to Marry Letter.  That is what most adjudicators want to see.

[VISBIS 18]

1 hour ago, lecht008 said:

pictures of our engagement celebration/dinner

If this has a traditional aspect or if it was a big celebration (extended family etc.) I would avoid sending these, because in the past, there’s been incidences people have been denied visas because they were deemed “too married” for a K1.
I think the two letters by each of you, Should suffice and make sure that both of you sign each other letters as well. Also a receipt of the engagement ring/wedding ring would also help out for additional evidence more than actual wedding plans since you cannot set a date rn. 
 

If you want to go the extra mile, you could email your local court house requesting information on what documents are required for a foreign person to get married and such. And then attach a copy of the email. 

[lecht008 8]

15 minutes ago, VISBIS said:

If this has a traditional aspect or if it was a big celebration (extended family etc.) I would avoid sending these, because in the past, there’s been incidences people have been denied visas because they were deemed “too married” for a K1.
I think the two letters by each of you, Should suffice and make sure that both of you sign each other letters as well. Also a receipt of the engagement ring/wedding ring would also help out for additional evidence more than actual wedding plans since you cannot set a date rn. 
 

If you want to go the extra mile, you could email your local court house requesting information on what documents are required for a foreign person to get married and such. And then attach a copy of the email. 

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll email the courthouse to see what they require 

[Schildkrote5 27]

This happened to us also, we originally sent two separate letters of intent and that was not enough. So for the RFE we sent a joint letter of intent and named a date we were trying to get married pending visa approval. Also had both families (parents) write a letter of their knowledge of Intent to marry as well as I had one set of friends write a letter as well. It seems like a pain but just give them what they want. The turn around for the RFE was pretty fast (within 2 weeks) although now we’ve been waiting to get a case number from the NVC for about 3 months.

[Greenbaum 12,258]

Technically speaking, an RFE is a written request for more information and documentation that USCIS mails out if they believe that they don’t yet have enough evidence to approve or deny a given application. An RFE normally is a minor item and should not be looked at like it's a denial but an opportunity for you to complete your application. USCIS would not send out an RFE if they were going to deny your application. It's just a step that they must take and once they have your information and it meets their approval then you should be seeing your NOA2.

 

There are many varying degrees of RFE's. Some as simple as not "ticking" off a question. Others forgot the fiancé(e) letter and then others who met on a website and now need to prove that it wasn't a marriage arrangement website.

 

Once you get your RFE, read over very carefully as you only have one chance to reply accurately without causing undue harm. Once you know FROM THE RFE what it is set out to correct and to include "everything" they are asking for. Then reread the RFE to ensure you are compliant. Make copies of everything for your record and send back using their instructions which are contained within the RFE. If the RFE requires a signature, PLEASE don't forget this. Include the original RFE letter along with a cover letter explaining what you are including in your reply. Like a checklist format. Once received at USCIS your case will begin adjudication where the agent had left off. No one can tell you how long it will take so be patient.

 

A good rule of thumb is to do what do will do.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

23 hours ago, lecht008 said:

I already sent an intent to marry letter (signed by both of us) in the initial application.  The RFE does not ask for anything specific, just evidence of intent to marry.

 

13 hours ago, Schildkrote5 said:

This happened to us also, we originally sent two separate letters of intent and that was not enough.

I have read posts reporting on this kind of evidence being requested at the embassy/consulate, but not by the USCIS. In general, the intent to marry letters are enough. 

 

What do you think was the issue with your petition that could have triggered the request for intent to marry evidence? 

Edited June 23, 2020 by Allaboutwaiting

[lecht008 8]

13 hours ago, Schildkrote5 said:

This happened to us also, we originally sent two separate letters of intent and that was not enough. So for the RFE we sent a joint letter of intent and named a date we were trying to get married pending visa approval. Also had both families (parents) write a letter of their knowledge of Intent to marry as well as I had one set of friends write a letter as well. It seems like a pain but just give them what they want. The turn around for the RFE was pretty fast (within 2 weeks) although now we’ve been waiting to get a case number from the NVC for about 3 months.

This sounds like a really good idea.  Did you have the parents of the beneficiary (the foreign parents) write the letter in English or German and then have it translated?  My fiancee's parents do not speak English very well, but Peru is still in super lock down so there is no way to get a Spanish letter translated to English.  So if I had them write a letter it would have to be in English and my fiancee would have to tell them what it says.  

 

9 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

 

Just quoting you Greenbaum since you are the oracle of VisaJourney because I'm wondering what your thoughts would be about including letters from my parents (Americans), my fiancee's parents (Peruvian, but the letter would have to be in English), and my best friend who I want to be my best man (also American) all stating they are aware of our intention to get married. 

[Schildkrote5 27]

Lecht, her family wrote it in German, then she translated it to English (they speak A little English, but not enough to write a letter like that) and then gave it to them to sign. And in case you were wondering, a digital signature was enough for this purpose as well since I didn’t want to wait for mail to get here due to COVID slowdown. Get those letters of intent done and that should be sufficient to get the NOA2.

[Schildkrote5 27]

43 minutes ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

 

I have read posts reporting on this kind of evidence being requested at the embassy/consulate, but not by the USCIS. In general, the intent to marry letters are enough. 

 

What do you think was the issue with your petition that could have triggered the request for intent to marry evidence? 

For me I have no idea. We sent 2 separate letter of intents stating that we wanted to get married within 90 days and a brief history of how we met and our decision to get married. Once I we got the RFE we decided to write an updated “joint” letter signed by both of us on top of our parents and friends writing letters as well. The only thing I can think of is we didn’t mention anything about an engagement in the first letter. But I thought that would be kind of self explanatory. What I’ve learned through this process is nothing is ever self explanatory, give  then more than they need and then some more.

[AliTan 53]

This happened to us as well, despite having the letters of intent.  It seems to be more common in the past year.  I personally think everyone should start sending more proof with the application to prevent this delay.  We addressed it by sending letters again along with: receipt for the rings, picture of the dress held up by my fiance's family because it was made there, screenshots of chats talking about the wedding (didn't have much because it's usually video calls), and I wrote a statement explaining why we can't make specific plans until we have the visa (They should know this!) but listed some things we were considering.  The petition was approved within 2 weeks if I recall correctly.  Oh, and we sent proof of another meeting since the petition was sent.

Edited June 23, 2020 by AliTan
Additional info

[Greenbaum 12,258]

1 hour ago, lecht008 said:

This sounds like a really good idea.  Did you have the parents of the beneficiary (the foreign parents) write the letter in English or German and then have it translated?  My fiancee's parents do not speak English very well, but Peru is still in super lock down so there is no way to get a Spanish letter translated to English.  So if I had them write a letter it would have to be in English and my fiancee would have to tell them what it says.  

 

Just quoting you Greenbaum since you are the oracle of VisaJourney because I'm wondering what your thoughts would be about including letters from my parents (Americans), my fiancee's parents (Peruvian, but the letter would have to be in English), and my best friend who I want to be my best man (also American) all stating they are aware of our intention to get married. 

This is a funny thing but not worth a laugh but USCIS recently, in the past year, has been asking for a ridiculous amount of evidence that a relationship is genuine. There are many ways and items to add to your RFE, and you are getting a share of those suggestions from others. I can only add that you should use those suggestions that you feel that you can produce and send along with your RFE as your personal response. I used to say don't add the "kitchen sink" because it was never needed but I've resigned myself to "more is better" monikers. Good luck and stay engaged.