List of supporting documents/evidence for I-130

[Adil_Nola 2]

Hi VJers,

I'm at the early stage of the I-130 process, gathering documents and preparing to submit the I-130 application. So far I have the following list, and would like to know If I'm missing something, if the list is inclusive, or if I went a little overboard with it.. Here it goes:

1. Form I-130 (although still debating whether to file online or send via snail mail)

2. Marriage certificate

3. Wife's birth certificate 

4. Wife's passport photos (2)

5. My passport photos (2)

6. Copy of 2nd page of my US passport

7. Copy of my prior divorce decree

8. Airline tickets, Hotel receipts of our honey moon

9. 30 photos (spanning 3 years up to our wedding and honeymoon) (too much?)

10. Receipts of wedding rings

11. Receipts of Money transfers to her

12. Letter from wife's friend attesting to our genuine marriage

 

Since I haven't seen the online format, do they have space/boxes to upload the above docs? 

 

Thoughts? 

 

TIA

 

   

Edited January 4, 2022 by Adil_Nola

[Dashinka 24,952]

Since you are the USC petitioner, there is no need for a copy of your spouse's birth certificate at the I130 stage.  It will however be needed at the DS260 stage.  Overall, the list you show seems accurate according to the I130 instructions.  When you file online, the system is fairly easy and yes, there are areas to upload PDFs of your documents.

 

Good Luck!

[Rocio0010 5,679]

1 hour ago, Adil_Nola said:

Receipts of Money transfers to her

No, don’t include this! 
Where is she from?

 

[powerpuff 6,748]

~ Moved from IR1/CR1 Progress Reports to Process ~

[Adil_Nola 2]

On 1/4/2022 at 3:39 AM, Rocio0010 said:

No, don’t include this! 
Where is she from?

 

Thanks Rocio! You've got a point, I won't include the money transfers.

She's from Morocco. 

[pushbrk 13,238]

On 1/4/2022 at 6:08 PM, Adil_Nola said:

Hi VJers,

I'm at the early stage of the I-130 process, gathering documents and preparing to submit the I-130 application. So far I have the following list, and would like to know If I'm missing something, if the list is inclusive, or if I went a little overboard with it.. Here it goes:

1. Form I-130 (although still debating whether to file online or send via snail mail)

2. Marriage certificate

3. Wife's birth certificate 

4. Wife's passport photos (2)

5. My passport photos (2)

6. Copy of 2nd page of my US passport

7. Copy of my prior divorce decree

8. Airline tickets, Hotel receipts of our honey moon

9. 30 photos (spanning 3 years up to our wedding and honeymoon) (too much?)

10. Receipts of wedding rings

11. Receipts of Money transfers to her

12. Letter from wife's friend attesting to our genuine marriage

No need for 3, 10, or 12.  Definitely do not send 11.  Money transfers in either direction are NOT evidence of comingling of finances.  

 

I haven't seen an "airline ticket" in years.  Maybe you mean boarding passes.  You've left out the most important thing that serves two purposes.  When including your passport as evidence of US Citizenship, you must copy ALL pages.  This will also show primary evidence of you being in Morocco and how long.  Actual evidence of time spent together in person is the  most important relationship evidence.  Photos are secondary to your passport entry and exit stamps.  If you both went to a third country, include he passport stamps as evidence you went together.

[Adil_Nola 2]

22 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

No need for 3, 10, or 12.  Definitely do not send 11.  Money transfers in either direction are NOT evidence of comingling of finances.  

 

I haven't seen an "airline ticket" in years.  Maybe you mean boarding passes.  You've left out the most important thing that serves two purposes.  When including your passport as evidence of US Citizenship, you must copy ALL pages.  This will also show primary evidence of you being in Morocco and how long.  Actual evidence of time spent together in person is the  most important relationship evidence.  Photos are secondary to your passport entry and exit stamps.  If you both went to a third country, include he passport stamps as evidence you went together.

@pushbrk Thanks so much! I will definitely add those passport stamp pages of both passports. Excellent idea! 

One more thing, the passport size photos, what's the best to scan them if you're filing online? 

Thanks again.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Adil_Nola

[JeanneAdil 6,722]

30 photos may be a little overboard

and the photos should show u with some of her family especially her mom to show her family approves

and like the above says "don't send evidence of money under no circumstances" 

For success in Casa embassy

1.  quality time spent together is important (amount )

2.  ages of both (a 10 year difference is suspect)

3.  religions of both

4.  family acceptance of both families

5.  wife is able to have children

 

and I hope u didn't marry on the 1st trip to Morocco meeting her

 

allah yekbel

[etrangais 954]

you got some valuable input here from VJ members.

 

For number 12.: Affidavits from friends are usually not valuable as much as affidavits from parents (bride and groom) to show acceptance of the marriage from both families.

There are specifications for the affidavits (as far as information to include). You can find the info here: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf, page 7

[Adil_Nola 2]

@JeanneAdil and @etrangais, thank you both for your input/insights. 

 

@JeanneAdil We meet all the criteria you mentioned, except one - Age.  I'll be honest with you, we have more than a 10 year gap.

With that being said, we have known each other for over 3 years, and we've been texting each other through WhatsApp almost daily except for when we're together. Our families, however, have common acquaintances and knew each other from afar, dating back to the 80s. As to the suspicion of entering into a non bona-fide marriage, my wife had a career in France and I have a career here, we are both educated, we spent a good amount of money on the wedding, we traveled to Thailand for our honeymoon, and we are madly in love with each other.. If the USCIS still thinks that this marriage is questionable and puts us in a box with folks committing fraud, then I'm sorry to say that this agency lacks human dignity and a lot of competence.   

PS: I do look 10+ year younger (from what people say).  And anyone seeing our pictures together may get the impression that I'm only 5~7 years older..  

 

@etrangais would a signed letter from her dad help the cause I pointed out above? 

 

Thank you guys again!

 

Adil 

Edited January 7, 2022 by Adil_Nola

[pushbrk 13,238]

19 minutes ago, Adil_Nola said:

@JeanneAdil and @etrangais, thank you both for your input/insights. 

 

@JeanneAdil We meet all the criteria you mentioned, except one - Age.  I'll be honest with you, we have more than a 10 year gap.

With that being said, we have known each other for over 3 years, and we've been texting each other through WhatsApp almost daily except for when we're together. Our families, however, have common acquaintances and knew each other from afar, dating back to the 80s. As to the suspicion of entering into a non bona-fide marriage, my wife had a career in France and I have a career here, we are both educated, we spent a good amount of money on the wedding, we traveled to Thailand for our honeymoon, and we are madly in love with each other.. If the USCIS still thinks that this marriage is questionable and puts us in a box with folks committing fraud, then I'm sorry to say that this agency lacks human dignity and a lot of competence.   

PS: I do look 10+ year younger (from what people say).  And anyone seeing our pictures together may get the impression that I'm only 5~7 years older..  

 

@etrangais would a signed letter from her dad help the cause I pointed out above? 

 

Thank you guys again!

 

Adil 

Note that USCIS doesn't issue visas.  You'll probably sail through there with no problem.  If you're going to have an issue, it will be with the Consulate.  The age difference "male older" is not an issue.  A big age difference with the female older, is where the issue comes into play.  Not relevant to your case.  Document what you said above and expect success.

[Adil_Nola 2]

@pushbrk Thank You! I feel much better reading this.  As to the consulate, we'll cross that bridge when we get there. One battle at a time..

 

PS: Does it help the I-130 sending a 3 year worth of WhatsApp chats, or is it too much?

 

TIA

[Rocio0010 5,679]

2 minutes ago, Adil_Nola said:

a 3 year worth of WhatsApp chats

No. WhatsApp chats can easily be forfeited. Focus more on quality evidence, not quantity and not on stuff that could be made up 

[Adil_Nola 2]

4 minutes ago, Rocio0010 said:

No. WhatsApp chats can easily be forfeited. Focus more on quality evidence, not quantity and not on stuff that could be made up 

Point well-taken. Thank you.  

[etrangais 954]

56 minutes ago, Adil_Nola said:

@JeanneAdil and @etrangais, thank you both for your input/insights. 

 

@JeanneAdil We meet all the criteria you mentioned, except one - Age.  I'll be honest with you, we have more than a 10 year gap.

With that being said, we have known each other for over 3 years, and we've been texting each other through WhatsApp almost daily except for when we're together. Our families, however, have common acquaintances and knew each other from afar, dating back to the 80s. As to the suspicion of entering into a non bona-fide marriage, my wife had a career in France and I have a career here, we are both educated, we spent a good amount of money on the wedding, we traveled to Thailand for our honeymoon, and we are madly in love with each other.. If the USCIS still thinks that this marriage is questionable and puts us in a box with folks committing fraud, then I'm sorry to say that this agency lacks human dignity and a lot of competence.   

PS: I do look 10+ year younger (from what people say).  And anyone seeing our pictures together may get the impression that I'm only 5~7 years older..  

 

@etrangais would a signed letter from her dad help the cause I pointed out above? 

 

Thank you guys again!

 

Adil 

I used affidavits from my parents and siblings, and her parents and siblings (Arabic and English translation prepared by myself, and they signed both). We didn’t have any photos as you know Morocco had strict pandemic restrictions about travel and gatherings during the summer.