Locombiano

Makes sense. Thanks for the responses guys.

I, the petitioner, plan on handling all the paperwork and processing for my wife, the beneficiary. Since I will be back and forth between the US and Colombia, I am wondering if on form 3032 I can list my close friend's address, but list myself as the agent. That way, any mail would go to his house and he could notify me by email that it got there. Does the NVC send any actual mail, or is it all email correspondence now? Should I just list myself as the agent and my address in Colombia to receive the mail?

I'm looking for the quickest possible avenue. If the correspondence is just email at this point, I will list my address in the US that I list on all documents. The problem arises that I would have trouble knowing when something arrives.

Correct above, just include your NOA1 with it so they can withdraw your petition properly.

Bob

it didn't even get to that point. I-130 was just sent and received a week ago. Thanks for all the replies everyone.

How do you go about cancelling a I-130 application. I doubt there's a refund, but how do you cancel the process?

Assuming she is the USC. they could look at your relationship deeper as a result of the previous visa for the ex...

I am the US citizen. She's the immigrant. I've never applied for a visa before. She did with her ex husband around ten years ago but they never really took it to the next level. They broke off the marriage before an interview was even granted.

My wife was married before we met. Her and her ex-husband met in Colombia and got married there. He was born in Colombia, eventually got American citizenship, and moved to US. He began to apply for her US citizenship, but they never went further with it and got divorced. She never even did an interview. This was over five years ago. Will this affect my and hers I-130 application?

Added information: They didn't have a sham marriage just for immigration or anything. They just ended up disliking each other. They had a child together.

The criminal background check/police record of the intending immigrant, as well as any other background checks there may be? At what point in the process does this occur? Is it right when they receive the I-130 initially?

I read this on the USCIS website where you check your case status:

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators

The wording has me confused. Are they saying that they just run this check on the US Citizen aka Petitioner first, or do they run it on both of the people in the relationship?

I just sent a U.S. Postal Service money order for $420 with my I-130 package. When I filled it out, I just put "U.S. Department of Homeland Security" in the To: section. I did not put an address because there is no specific one listed in I-130 instructions. I also filled in my name and address in the From section on the money order.

Will not putting the US Dept. of Homeland Security address prevent it from clearing? The postal worker said don't worry about it.

Also, USPS money orders are fine as payment, correct? I know it says in the instructions that the money order must be drawn on a U.S. bank, but I would think that one from the USPS would suffice.

Anybody else pay this way?

On my I-130 package I just put the mailing address given on the USCIS website:

USCIS

PO Box 804625

Chicago, IL 60680-4107

Is that good enough, or did any of you put what it was for, example: Re: I-130

I had my and my wife's passport style photos taken on about April 25. I left Colombia and came back to the US and filed my package on the 27th of May. Do you think they will look at when I left Colombia and say "Oh, those photos were taken more than 30 days out" and then request newer ones?

It seems a bit silly, but I just thought of this.

My Colombian wife goes by Viviana Andrea. On Colombian forms, they don't list middle names. It's just "names." When doing my I-130 and G-325, etc, do I put Viviana Andrea as her first name, or Viviana as the first and Andrea as middle.

So far, I have both of them listed under her first name, since that is traditionally how they are treated.

Thank you for your help.

It asks for all other names used (include names by previous marriages)

Does this mean from her entire past? Her legal name now has nothing to do with her ex-husband, but she obviously had a different name while they were married years ago. Do I list that name even though it no longer applies or is used?

This is how it's supposed to work:

I-130 package (USCIS): copies

AOS/IV packages (NVC): originals/certified copies

I'm a bit confused, as they do ask for copies, but I just saw this online in a guide:

Original Documents

USCIS no longer requires original copies of documentation submitted with your petition. You MUST however submit an original I-129F and G-325A's as well as the originals of any certified translations. Any signatures must also be in the original, not a copy of.

Note: An adjudicating officer may request the original of any document submitted if it is deemed necessary.

I have certified translations on the marriage cert., etc. So do I just copy those translations for the initial and keep the originals?

Did everyone send only copies of their marriage certificates, divorce certificates, etc. and their translations/apostilles, or did you send the originals with your initial I-130 packet?

I am in Florida and about to ship out my I-130. From looking at the USCIS site, it lists this address as:

USCIS

P.O. Box 804625

Chicago, IL 60680-4107

I guess everyone sends it there to begin, correct? Also, do I just send it via regular United States Postal Service mail, or is there a better and quicker way to do it?

Thanks for all the tips everyone.

I was born in the US, but I received my Colombian citizenship last year. Where it asks for citizenship, should I put US/Colombia? I've always just listed the US because its been my primary home for all my life.

You have to notify of any other citizenship anyway and by showing the stamps in your other passport wont hurt, so yes I would if it were me

I always just put US whenever asked for my citizenship. Should I put US/COlombia when asked that on any forms, etc? Or is the Colombian passport enough?

could the mods please move this topic to the CR-1 board? I put it here by accident.

I'm completing my package, looked at my US passport, and noticed I have zero stamps in there. I have traveled several times between the US and Colombia in the last year, but since I'm a Colombian citizen also I used my Colombian passport over there. I should provide copies of both passports, correct?

I am shipping out my package tomorrow, and just double checking this part of the checklist for my I-130

Copy of the full Birth certificate (front and back) for the US Citizen or a copy of ALL pages of the US Citizen's passport. This is used to establish citizenship.

The only birth certificate I've ever seen or used for myself is rather short and titled Certificate of Live Birth. It has all my info, signatures, parents, etc. It has nothing on the back. If I include this and a copy of all my passport pages, is that ok. I know this is a dumb question but I don't want to mess anything up. I've read some places that just the biography page of the US passport is needed for citizenship proof.

Also, when copying the passport pages, do they only want ones with info or that are stamped, or even the untouched pages?

i just got a rfe and one of the things they wanted was affidavits..just trying to save u a rfe and hassle later on:) i like you sent a bunch of pics and wasn't enough..we had traditional, and civil weddings..and pics with family..good luck with your journey!!

thanks for the advice. I'm seeing your timeline and wondering, maybe they asked for more info from you because you guys met in person and then married so quickly? I can tell the waiting process for this will be stressful.

How did you guys get married, if you guys had a social function(tons of picture from the event) or you had a civil marriage or traditional marriage and later obtained marrige certificate, you dont have to do the affidavits.

We had a civil marriage but dressed in traditional wedding wear. I'm enclosing pics of that plus after party pics at her house with family in addition to those of us on regular days. I think I will skip the affidavits.

Talking to myself, here, it seems as if many people skip the affidavits in the initial i-130 package and just send the official docs required, plus things like phone logs, IM, photos, etc.