Checked my USCIS account today and a RFE will be mailed to me: very disappointed

[Coffee2Go 5]

This is more of a rant than asking for advice or solace. I initially delayed starting the petition process to immigrate my spouse to the U.S. Once I was able to get the required documents in order to move to Germany 6 years ago, I had such a difficult adjustment with integrating myself to a new culture, language, job, etc. I delayed the process for a couple years with no real excuse.

 

It was the biggest move of my life, and there was so many difficult steps that maybe it was just me being afraid to start another long and tedious process again. My wife helped me get all structured and get the correct documents notarized from like 8,000 miles away. I didn't have the smoothest experience with the German Ausländerbehörde but with my wife's detailed preparation, it went pretty ok.

 

This petition process I told her that I would handle it. I would do the research and ensure I had everything correctly submitted. I wanted to pay her back for all the help she gave me, which I think now was honorable but stupid.

 

The VisaJourney here provided updates on when to approximately expect a response for my initial petition to the USCIS. I would say that it was totally accurate given the last suggested update I recieved from this site. So kudos to this site really... really nice and dependable.

 

But now I have to wait for the mail to recieve instructions on what I missed or didn't submit correctly. My account says now that the delay will take another 5 months! 

 

I'm just so thoroughly disappointed in myself... Maybe I didn' submit enough pictures of our travels, or letters from family. I didn't include family providing a notarized letter providing their witness to the validitiy of our marriage. I thought all of the pictures, letters and cards we shared were enough.

 

So now I have to sit and wait and inform my wife that we have to wait. She is currently out of town taking care of her mom recovering from surgery... so I don't even want to text her about this. It will cause undo stress, so I will just wait until she gets home this weekend and inform her.

 

That is why I like being anonymous here and gives me a chance to rant about this situation. Thanks for reading and please make sure you have provided the initial evidence and documentation correctly. I'll provide an update here once I recieve the instructions as well as the progress of the petition.

Edited February 8 by Coffee2Go

[Crazy Cat 39,262]

I'm sorry to see that your case will be delayed.  Hopefully, it is just a simple fix.  We hired an attorney to handle our CR-1 case in 2016.  Everything went fine until the case got to NVC.  Our immigration attorney had not submitted a couple documents which were required there.  As a result, our case was at NVC for 24 weeks (instead of the normal 12 weeks at that time).  I think your delay might be only a month or so.  I hope this turns out to be just a bump in the road for you. Hang in there.

[Coffee2Go 5]

Thanks CrazyCat! 🙂 Wow, even with an Immigration Lawyer nothing is really guaranteed to go smoothly. I hope you're right and it is a simple fix, which it probably is... but after waiting almost a year I just wanted to see a different outcome. But patience is good advice. Thank you. 

[pushbrk 12,115]

In reality you can think of the RFE as good news.  Normally, you will get a final answer within 30 days of their receipt of your response.  No idea where you are getting the 5 months idea.  RFE responses are dealt with pretty promptly.

 

[powerpuff 5,905]

*** Topic moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports ***

[TBoneTX 43,059]

Pushbrk and Crazy Cat are right.  And who knows -- maybe the rest of this (normally) difficult, lengthy, unpleasant process will go more smoothly than you expect.  Just think how much more daunting it would be without the resources and support of this site!

[Bethie 57]

21 hours ago, Coffee2Go said:

This is more of a rant than asking for advice or solace. I initially delayed starting the petition process to immigrate my spouse to the U.S. Once I was able to get the required documents in order to move to Germany 6 years ago, I had such a difficult adjustment with integrating myself to a new culture, language, job, etc. I delayed the process for a couple years with no real excuse.

 

It was the biggest move of my life, and there was so many difficult steps that maybe it was just me being afraid to start another long and tedious process again. My wife helped me get all structured and get the correct documents notarized from like 8,000 miles away. I didn't have the smoothest experience with the German Ausländerbehörde but with my wife's detailed preparation, it went pretty ok.

 

This petition process I told her that I would handle it. I would do the research and ensure I had everything correctly submitted. I wanted to pay her back for all the help she gave me, which I think now was honorable but stupid.

 

The VisaJourney here provided updates on when to approximately expect a response for my initial petition to the USCIS. I would say that it was totally accurate given the last suggested update I recieved from this site. So kudos to this site really... really nice and dependable.

 

But now I have to wait for the mail to recieve instructions on what I missed or didn't submit correctly. My account says now that the delay will take another 5 months! 

 

I'm just so thoroughly disappointed in myself... Maybe I didn' submit enough pictures of our travels, or letters from family. I didn't include family providing a notarized letter providing their witness to the validitiy of our marriage. I thought all of the pictures, letters and cards we shared were enough.

 

So now I have to sit and wait and inform my wife that we have to wait. She is currently out of town taking care of her mom recovering from surgery... so I don't even want to text her about this. It will cause undo stress, so I will just wait until she gets home this weekend and inform her.

 

That is why I like being anonymous here and gives me a chance to rant about this situation. Thanks for reading and please make sure you have provided the initial evidence and documentation correctly. I'll provide an update here once I recieve the instructions as well as the progress of the petition.

Sometimes it can be the smallest thing, like forgetting to sign the petition.

 

Do you have a complete copy of all you sent?, if you do , review it, make sure all is there that was required for filing, go over your check list.

 

[InaneTripe 27]

21 hours ago, Coffee2Go said:

This is more of a rant than asking for advice or solace. I initially delayed starting the petition process to immigrate my spouse to the U.S. Once I was able to get the required documents in order to move to Germany 6 years ago, I had such a difficult adjustment with integrating myself to a new culture, language, job, etc. I delayed the process for a couple years with no real excuse.

 

It was the biggest move of my life, and there was so many difficult steps that maybe it was just me being afraid to start another long and tedious process again. My wife helped me get all structured and get the correct documents notarized from like 8,000 miles away. I didn't have the smoothest experience with the German Ausländerbehörde but with my wife's detailed preparation, it went pretty ok.

 

This petition process I told her that I would handle it. I would do the research and ensure I had everything correctly submitted. I wanted to pay her back for all the help she gave me, which I think now was honorable but stupid.

 

The VisaJourney here provided updates on when to approximately expect a response for my initial petition to the USCIS. I would say that it was totally accurate given the last suggested update I recieved from this site. So kudos to this site really... really nice and dependable.

 

But now I have to wait for the mail to recieve instructions on what I missed or didn't submit correctly. My account says now that the delay will take another 5 months! 

 

I'm just so thoroughly disappointed in myself... Maybe I didn' submit enough pictures of our travels, or letters from family. I didn't include family providing a notarized letter providing their witness to the validitiy of our marriage. I thought all of the pictures, letters and cards we shared were enough.

 

So now I have to sit and wait and inform my wife that we have to wait. She is currently out of town taking care of her mom recovering from surgery... so I don't even want to text her about this. It will cause undo stress, so I will just wait until she gets home this weekend and inform her.

 

That is why I like being anonymous here and gives me a chance to rant about this situation. Thanks for reading and please make sure you have provided the initial evidence and documentation correctly. I'll provide an update here once I recieve the instructions as well as the progress of the petition.

 

I can speak from somewhat recent experience. We got an RFE for our I-130 on May 1, 2023 which caused me a great deal of stress until I saw the actual RFE notice requesting the final divorce decree for my previous marriage. Turns out than in haste, I had only submitted a divorce nisi judgment with my original application. Anyway, I uploaded the final decree to my online account on May 9, 2023 and the petition was approved on May 10! I've read of very short turnaround times on RFE responses for others as well. 

 

The point I am trying to make is please don't assume the worst. Wait till you get the RFE notice and respond in an accurate and timely manner and your case will be adjudicated soon thereafter. All the best to you both!

[Cathi 5,610]

Not sure where you came up with a timeline of 5 months for an RFE, it's usually a lot quicker than that.

[Amunah 61]

I am sorry for the ordeal. RFE will be quicker then 5 months. Don’t beat yourself up.

[Coffee2Go 5]

Update: I received the RFE and the USCIS is requesting for:

• A complete, accurate and certified English translation of the entire document, including a translation of the registrar’s name and information, signature and stamp of the civil authority; AND A new photocopy of the corresponding foreign language document.
• NOTE: Extract or summary translations of the original document are not acceptable. The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language to English.

The issue I have is that when my wife and I got married we requested the marriage certificate was translated into English, and so the Marriage certificate itself is both in German and in English. It's a dual language certificate with a stamp and seal.

 

Is it possible to request this RFE is not necessary?