kmarion1968

Thank you so much!! I truly do appreciate it! If you don't mind me asking one more question. Did you guys take any evidence to the interview?

yes i took a copy of both my wifes and stepson case, nothing else. i figured i had more than enough there and additionally me showing up at the embassy was pretty good evidence. i think it good to remember ir you decide to go that along with the copies of the case is more than enough, did you keep copies of everything you submitted? including evidence?

Omg thank you!! I think I will most likely go! By the way if you don't mind me asking, what was the interview like? And what did they ask you?? Did they ask you many questions?? Sorry if I asked too many questions!! lol!!

the interview was short and fairly easy, they had my wife go to the window where they proceded to ask her for documents, we filled for a CR1/IR1 visa, so all documents were already submitted except the medical which she handed to the lady at the window. once she passed the medical documents to her she then asked for missing papers and was asking her questions about me while she was doing this, it appeared to be a tactic to try and see if you really knew each other, once my wife called me over with all copies of the documents and she saw i was there, she excused herself and suddenly found all the papers, after that point it was very fast, waited approx 20 more minutes and a very nice lady called her to the next window, asked her where i lived, what i did for work, was i with her today and she pointed saying yes he is right over there to which she great. she then took finger prints had her sign her forms and said congratulations your approved. so really it isnt as scary as everyone makes it sound, provided you follow the rules and have nothing to hide just be yourself. good luck to you both in your process.

Hello all,

I just had a question about doing all of the AOS paperwork and part of that is proof of past marriage ending, so what do they ask for, a divorce document in this case?

What if the divorce took place in a foreign country, in that foreign language? What does USCIS require? Does a copy of that foreign divorce document have to be certified/notarized in any way? What about translation, what are the rules in terms of getting the translation for the divorce doc?

Thanks a bunch for any help/advice you can offer.

Cheers!

you need divorce decree etc, they dont care about who gets the dog etc. it must be in english, so it will need to be translated , you can either do it yourself or have it done.

Hello everyone!! Just wondering if I should go to the interview with my husband? I heard that its better to go because I am like a back up to the marriage but I also heard that I should not go because it would complicate things and the interview!! Please I would love your feedback on this subject!!

I went with my wife and stepson to their interview, and im my case it did make things easier for them. they actually seemed surprised that i was with them at the interview. some have posted that you dont need to go, and this is true, there are plenty of people who havent gone with their spouse and never had a issue but in my personal opinion if you have the ability and the time to do so i would advise you try and be there in case something comes up that you dont expect. always be prepared

best of luck

hi, my wife and I did the exact same thing in calarca, colombia just outside armenia. one thing to keep in mind is that the paperwork, will need to be translated and of course have the marriage license apposilled as well to prove that the document is original. as some other members have said, immigration dont really care what you wear as much as proof that you were married under real circumstances. take pictures, enjoy the day and live, laugh and love. you only get married to your life partner once... then take care of the paperwork and you will be fine.... congrats to you both.. best of luck

as diana states it takes approx 6 days outside bogota, they will use DHL and you should have already been required to signup for shipping location for your passport with the visa before your interview in bogota. they will make sure you have at the time of the appointment.

keith

Ok your husband is here because of you but ask him what other people have to go like me I did not had a choice coming here I came since I was a baby so could I make the decision so don't judge people if you don't know the story ask your husband he will know all the people are not he lucky like him just ask if he truly is a Mexican he will know what other people go to get here sweetie to the land of the freedom

Honestly, im am sorry to say but you created this isssue with your initial question. it might be a good rule to spell check your posts too to help avoid any misunderstandings. in redagrds to you not having a choice being here, everyone has a choice, and finally your insults to all of us , Dumb US people dont appreciate it. if you come for assistance its not appreciated when you start insulting.

I believe the US doesn't recognize dual citizenship. So, you're still American for them. Just make sure they understand your situation

you are correct, the united states does not allow its citizens to hold dual citizenship and therefore will not recognize your mexican citizenship because it is secondary to your US citizenship. best of luck

for the form i-130 and or g-325a, when it asks the family name of my spouse, and since we were just married 12/21/2012, do I use my last name as her family name or her fathers last name?

we were married in Dominican republic and now I am back home in the US and we are ready to send out the forms.

I have the i-130

the g-325a one for me and one for her

the marriage vert (also translated to english)

my divorce decree

my passport and birth cert

her 2x2 passport style picture

do I need a copy of her passport?

I will send a cover letter with all the above. anything else I need to send please let me know thanks.

You dont need a copy of her passport as stated previously, as for the name to use, for my case i found that using the name as it appears on your spouses passport helps avoid issues with medical exams etc when asked for identification. attched is what i used.

Assembling the I-130 Package: Checklist

Forms and Documents (follow these assembly instructions. All supporting documents must be in English or be translated as noted here.):

1.

Payment as required by USCIS. Use a money order so you can track the payment. If a personal check is allowed, use that instead.

2.

Cover Letter. Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-130), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

3.

Form I-130: Petition for Alien Relative

4.

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.

5.

A copy of petitioner's proof of naturalization. (If applicable)

6.

A copy of petitioner's proof of permanent residency. (If applicable)

7.

A copy of the intending immigrant's birth certificate and/or passport along with English translation. (If in any language other than English)

8.

A certified copy of your certified marriage certificate (again, translated if not in Engligh)

9.

A certified official copy of the petitioner's and/or intending immigrant's divorce documents. (If one or both of you have been divorced before)

10.

A copy of a prior spouse's death certificate. (If filing for a spouse, and one or both have you were married before, and the prior spouse died)

11.

G-325A filled out by the US Citizen, signed and dated.

12.

One passport-type photo (see specification) of the US Citizen. Write the full name on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of <Insert Name>". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

13.

G-325A filled out by the foreign spouse signed and dated.

14.

One passport-type photo (see specification) of the foreign spouse. Write the full name of the beneficiary on the back. Place in a plastic bag and label the bag "Photo of (insert name) ". Attach the bag to a sheet of paper and place behind the corresponding G-325a.

15.

Evidence of a bonafide marriage (see note below for what to include)

Note: Evidence of a bona fide Marriage

The USCIS now requires that when filing an I-130 for a spouse that you include evidence of a bona fide marriage. They list examples of acceptable evidence as:

1.

Documentation showing joint ownership or property; or

2.

A lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence; or

3.

Documentation showing co-mingling of financialresources; or

4.

Birth certificate(s) of child(ren) born to you, thepetitioner, and your spouse together; or

5.

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or

6.

Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union.

:thumbs:

make copies of both passports old and new.

:thumbs:

If you are planning on being at the interview you should have originals of all documents and all proofs of the relationship. Regardless of whether you provided to NVC or not. This includes and is not limited to all paperwork filed, birth certificates, police clearances, bank account records, airline ticket stubs, hotel receipts, pictures together, transcripts of online chats, etc etc. The more proofs the better. Odds are you wont need them but why take a chance? Most interviews are a pro forma event and last less than 5v minutes. Some like mine can turn into a long drawn out affair where you get interviewed separately and you are there more than 4 hours. In the end love will prevail but be prepared.

Your documents should already be in que or on their way to your embassy. all i can tell you is my experience was that a copy was not needed, i took copies of my entire case from start to finish with me and had very little asked for. at the very worse just download a DS230 fill it out and have your wife sign part one. it will be the same as the one you sent in.. Good luck im sure you will be fine.. god bless

I cant believe you guys are paranoid of USCIS that you find it necessary to lie. do you realize what will happen if you are caught lying to the USCIS? yeah it wont be good...... Just ask for the stamp, dont make up stories, and you should be fine. DO NOT LIE to the uscis ever.. it will always come back to bite you later on...

Congrats, and forgive me if i am reading your post wrong, your family members are colombian correct? if this is correct there is no need for a stamp on their passport, because they arent visitors to colombia.

I stamd corrected, i have been told as a first time immigrant entering the usa my wife will have to pay 32.00 fee, hmmmmm i find it funny i have never paid this tax, however my poor wife and stepson will have to pay to leave their own country.

Congrats, and forgive me if i am reading your post wrong, your family members are colombian correct? if this is correct there is no need for a stamp on their passport, because they arent visitors to colombia.

Im going to pay the "IV Application Processing Fees" of $230 for both of my stepchildren today. My question is what forms do I need to fill out for the next packet. My wife, the boys mother lives in the US as a resident with me. The kids had to wait in Colombia while she won custody. The speratation has been long and I want to have the process move quick.

Can you provide a little clarification on if you have already done your application of support? AOS, and submitted your required orginal documents to NVC?

What is the status of a new stepchild (age:12) of a USC when requesting his wife with the I130?

I assume she gets to travel on a immigrant visa with her mother and gets LPR status upon arrival at a US POE.

But now I sit here and think, wouldn't this child, the stepchild of a USC be eligeble for naturalization by way of form N600?

You need to file a seperate i-130 for the stepchild, this is correct !!! been there done that....

Hi, all,

This question may sound a little silly but I was kinda wondering that after NVC schedules interview date at the US embassy, I just have to take a medical and show up the interview with medical result and other required document, right? Do I have to do anything specific before the interview or I just wait till the interview date and thats all?

Ok so your doing a CR1 visa, provided you have submitted everything to NVC as required you wont need anything other than the medical and vacinations....... that being said, I took my copy of each case that i submitted with me just in case. didnt need them but better safe than sorry. Good luck to you....

well everyone , the interview went well , my wife and stepson were approved and are now waiting for their visas. just recieved a email sayin they were shipped yesterday. thanks for all the help, i added a consulate review for anyone interested. best of luck. cheers

Just a few chat records over the span of you guys being seperated. As far as Im aware NVC will only forward the docs they've received so any evidence you intially sent to USCIS wont be present at the interview hence the need for possible duplicates of pics etc. Remember youre trying to covince the interviewer the relationship is legit so take anything (even if its been provided before) to show this. After coming this far you dont want them denying you for something trivial which could have been avoided like lack of evidence. Too much is better than not enough.

Whoo whoop to you almost being done with this whole process. Happy dance for you lol

yea i hear you.... i have printed out 8 months of bank logs showing my wife using my bank card every two weeks for expenses, additionally i also show payments to skype and pinzoo, for text and skype calls. and on top of that i am taking every western union receipt, flight receipt, and about 150 pictures of us together during that last 1.8 years married now. i realize nothing is full proof, however i also realize that i have nothing to hide and neither does my wife, our relationship is as real as it gets from a long distance stand point, we argue and sometimes get impatient etc , i will let them see all that was well. i figure its better for them to see we really do have a working relationship, not always perfect, but we both work at it..... i have faith it will be ok. and thanks for your happy dance lol

Yes i understand that, however why would i re-submit documentation i have already submitted? I will print out the bank statement showing my wife using our card every month for the past months, as for the text logs well i dont have that much paper.... lol i will sort something out. thanks

Hello everyone

let me start by thanking everyone here who has helped me through this process, which at times can be very long and drawn out. this site literally saved me with all the information and advice. so THANK YOU to everyone i and my wife sincerly appreciate it. on to my question, i read alot about when you line up at the bogota embassy they give you a checklist. you need to put your documents in order etc. well, i have sent the NVC all my original documents, so i am not sure aside from the medical what other documents they are wanting me to bring. of course i do have complete copies of both my wifes and my stepsons cases, which i am taking with me when i leave tonight. and those contain copies of the civil documents, but does anyone know what the document list looks like for a CR1 visa applicant?>? as with others who are going through this i am feeling a mixture of stress, happiness, and anxiety. havent been together with my wife for 8 months, of course we skype all the time and text back and forth, there isnt a day that goes by where we dont share a morning wake up call or a goodnight call. so additionally do i need to make copies of the text and skype call logs and take them too?

or can i feel confident that it all will be in the case file i submitted. i leave in 8 hrs so i hope someone can help me out with this as soon as possible. many thanks again and best of luck to everyone, i will keep you posted on what happens at the medical and the interview. Wheeew need to take a deep breathe, lol cheers!

Ready

Immigrant Visa Case Number: BGT2012xxxxxx 01 BGT

Case Creation Date: n/a

Response Date: 20-Jul-2012

Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time. Otherwise, please wait until you have been notified of your interview appointment. Additional information about how Immigrant Visa interview appointments are scheduled can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3731.html

Works good thanks.....

I would say that as for the Vaccination costs, they are more expensive in colombia than in the usa. also if she is getting the vaccines you might want to wait until right before her medical exam to prevent the doctor from telling you that you need them again because they are old. my wife has all of her vaccinations, and we are now having to pay this doctor to do them all over again or he wont sign off on the medical exam. just food for thought. best of luck