Couple Questions on Bona Fide Marriage

[NineDev 5]

Hey everyone,

 

After following advice I received last year on these forums, my partner and I got married earlier in January, and have started filling the marriage visa forms. However, two questions have sprung to mind as we’ve looked through everything we need to gather to send with the forms.

The first is related to the affidavits testifying of our bona fide relationship: we were considering asking both families and friends if they were willing to help us by writing affidavits of us meeting with them together and what they know of our relationship, but weren’t sure whether these need to be certified by an official working with the government. Do they simply need to be sworn statements, or actually checked or notarized by someone?

 

In the same line of questions, my side (and all my documents) are written in French. I’ve read these need to be translated to English, however I am confused by the term “officially translated”.

I used to work as a translator myself (and have a translation degree), so I was thinking of translating everything myself, but I’m not sure if that would be considered official or not. I am assuming the translations need to be done/checked by someone first for them to be considered official?

 

 

[iwannaplay54 985]

Affidavits are generally considered weak in evidential value and most do not prepare and submit them.

[Lloydh123 13]

28 minutes ago, NineDev said:

Hey everyone,

 

After following advice I received last year on these forums, my partner and I got married earlier in January, and have started filling the marriage visa forms. However, two questions have sprung to mind as we’ve looked through everything we need to gather to send with the forms.

The first is related to the affidavits testifying of our bona fide relationship: we were considering asking both families and friends if they were willing to help us by writing affidavits of us meeting with them together and what they know of our relationship, but weren’t sure whether these need to be certified by an official working with the government. Do they simply need to be sworn statements, or actually checked or notarized by someone?

 

In the same line of questions, my side (and all my documents) are written in French. I’ve read these need to be translated to English, however I am confused by the term “officially translated”.

I used to work as a translator myself (and have a translation degree), so I was thinking of translating everything myself, but I’m not sure if that would be considered official or not. I am assuming the translations need to be done/checked by someone first for them to be considered official?

 

 

Personally, we just submitted 3 affidavits with just a wet signature from the family/friend members who supplied them. Having them certified or notarized isnt necessary but you can do it if you want. An affidavit wont be a reason that your case is approved or not. Its considered extremely weak evidence. Once you have a strong case with supporting evidence, you will be fine without any affidavit at all. 

Hopefully someone else can give you good advise on the translating of your application. Good luck.

[Crazy Cat 39,254]

49 minutes ago, NineDev said:

Hey everyone,

 

After following advice I received last year on these forums, my partner and I got married earlier in January, and have started filling the marriage visa forms. However, two questions have sprung to mind as we’ve looked through everything we need to gather to send with the forms.

The first is related to the affidavits testifying of our bona fide relationship: we were considering asking both families and friends if they were willing to help us by writing affidavits of us meeting with them together and what they know of our relationship, but weren’t sure whether these need to be certified by an official working with the government. Do they simply need to be sworn statements, or actually checked or notarized by someone?

 

In the same line of questions, my side (and all my documents) are written in French. I’ve read these need to be translated to English, however I am confused by the term “officially translated”.

I used to work as a translator myself (and have a translation degree), so I was thinking of translating everything myself, but I’m not sure if that would be considered official or not. I am assuming the translations need to be done/checked by someone first for them to be considered official?

 

 

1.  Would your families lie?  That is why personal affidavits are useless...and possibly harmful.  Anyone can provide a personal affidavit.  I wouldn't bother.

2.  Anyone fluent in both languages can translate documents.  That person must certify the translations by attaching a certification statement.

 

Edited March 20, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[mytruelove18 607]

Affidavits are letters from family or friends and no need notarized. 

If you are fluent in both languages you can translate yourself. 

I translated all my papers myself and no problems. Always attach a certification that you are fluent on both languages 

[carmel34 3,531]

13 hours ago, NineDev said:

After following advice I received last year on these forums, my partner and I got married earlier in January, and have started filling the marriage visa forms. However, two questions have sprung to mind as we’ve looked through everything we need to gather to send with the forms.

Best evidence to send with the I-130 petition for bona fide marriage is documentation to show time spent together, in person.  Original boarding passes, passport stamps, hotel receipts, a few photos together.  Financial co-mingling is also good depending on the embassy/consulate where the interview will eventually happen, 1-2 years after filing the petition.  For Paris, financial co-mingling evidence may not be necessary unless there are red flags (marry on first visit, big age gap, others).  Affidavits are weak evidence.  Good luck!

[NineDev 5]

Thanks for all the replies!
We were going to send as much as we could, to maximise our chances. We have other, more concrete proofs, like pictures taken together & with family, pictures of our marriage, passports, boarding passes, hotel receipts. We hope that will be enough, as financial co-mingling is pretty much impossible for us until I can move over to the states (past money we've sent each other during out time together, but I heard this can be more harmful than helpful if presented as evidence?)