awaywego

Answers:
Just the form, photocopies are acceptable for everything else. No as long as the information does not fundamentally change.

I have not heard of Frankfurt asking for evidence that a foreign marriage was registered in Germany.
Registration of a foreign marriage is possible, but no longer required by the government (see these FAQs on marriage outside of Germany, in German). This bit you read likely pertains to other countries with different systems. My guess is that this is one less thing to worry about in this pile of stress.

Hey VJers. We have landed in the US!
Everything is amazing so far!!
I think we made the right choice for our family and any doubts I had are gone!!
Michigan is really green and nice!

We had our cat travel in the hold with the other animals, but I just wanted to say we were also warned against tranquilizing her for the same reasons you were told.
I'd suggest you contact the airline for clarification about the carrier size. The last thing you need is to arrive at the airport and be denied boarding (or rather have the cat denied boarding) because the carrier size is wrong. I'm also not sure they'll allow the soft shell as meeting the minimum height requirements for standing and turning around, but maybe they'll be more flexible on that if the pet is in the cabin.
Quite honestiy, I think you're very brave to consider taking a cat through an airport yourself. For taking him out for security, and in fact probably for the entire journey, I'd suggest putting him on a cat leash.

This is a nice explanation of what I have read around the forum. To add slightly more recent experiences...
My spouse and I live abroad together and have not filed anything. Our last entry together (USC and VWP) was in 2015. Usually entering is no big deal. Once we were asked if we both live in Germany, kind of like an "I thought so" check. Another time, the CBP officer was not happy about the non-USC's expired student visas from the time period when we met. He looked through the passport a few times and asked questions about those visas, but didn't ask about spousal immigration plans. He also didn't ask to see the return ticket or any other documentation. (We had brought evidence that both of us were returning to Germany, but followed the VJ advice to have but not volunteer.)
The non-USC entered alone for work earlier this year. No problem.

We enter together (USC and spouse on VWP) and always ask one of the officers standing in the immigration area which line we should use. We have been told to do different things each time, so we'll just continue to ask.

This is a nice explanation of what I have read around the forum. To add slightly more recent experiences...
My spouse and I live abroad together and have not filed anything. Our last entry together (USC and VWP) was in 2015. Usually entering is no big deal. Once we were asked if we both live in Germany, kind of like an "I thought so" check. Another time, the CBP officer was not happy about the non-USC's expired student visas from the time period when we met. He looked through the passport a few times and asked questions about those visas, but didn't ask about spousal immigration plans. He also didn't ask to see the return ticket or any other documentation. (We had brought evidence that both of us were returning to Germany, but followed the VJ advice to have but not volunteer.)
The non-USC entered alone for work earlier this year. No problem.

We enter together (USC and spouse on VWP) and always ask one of the officers standing in the immigration area which line we should use. We have been told to do different things each time, so we'll just continue to ask.

I think I've posted this in a similar thread before, but here's what we did when we moved internationally.
We went through everything and asked ourselves:
– Can we ship this for less than it costs to replace?
– Does this have sentimental value, i.e., is it irreplaceable?
If no to both of those, into the donate/Craigslist pile it went.
If yes, we asked ourselves:
– Will we need this now, or can we bring over later?
Depending on that answer, we prioritized what to pack in our suitcases.

This page, on the State Department's website, outlines NVC's requirements for police certificates and military records, etc.
You can use the "Reciprocity by Country" search box for each country to see how to obtain the records your husband will need.
I am not familiar with the procedure for obtaining records from countries that no longer exist. My guess is that your husband will request his military records from Tajikistan, but hopefully someone who knows the answer will reply.

There is nothing wrong with marrying in the US while visiting and then returning to the home country for spouse visa processing.

Check the last link in my signature
Cheyenne5044, I don't have a link for you, but you will collect the same paperwork requested by NVC. If you want to start preparing before Lima sends their instructions on what to do with those documents (and info on the medical exam and appointment), you can check the NVC pages on the State Department website.

Howdy y'all!
It's been I guess well over a year since I've logged on. Our new life has been going so much smoother than our old one in Germany. We more than doubled our income. Linus has a job utilizing his German degree as a quality assurance worker for a local billion-dollar food factory that matches 7% on its 401k program, offers premium health care (I've had no co-pay on our prescriptions or doctor/dentist visits - the few ones we've had) and gives each of their 300+ employees at his factory about $400/month in profit sharing. We bought one used Fusion and one brand new Challenger last year and in two weeks from today we'll be closing on our first house! We've been making many new friends who share our love for cars and have a very bright outlook on our future here in the States.
I pray for all of you currently fighting for your visas and for all those loved ones separated by such a stressful process which you'll eventually overcome. I'm going to try my best to find more time to come on here and offer help from my experiences for anyone needing it. We wouldn't be here as we are now, living the American Dream, had we not found this site and all the awesome individuals who helped answer all my annoying questions. Just remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to Customs/Immigrations!
Good luck, fellow VJ'ers!

Check the last link in my signature
Cheyenne5044, I don't have a link for you, but you will collect the same paperwork requested by NVC. If you want to start preparing before Lima sends their instructions on what to do with those documents (and info on the medical exam and appointment), you can check the NVC pages on the State Department website.

We flew our cat internationally. We looked up reviews of airlines beforehand and chose one that seemed reasonably pet friendly, talked with them to find out their requirements from the vet and for transport, and booked her passage as soon as we had our seats. As others have said, you'll also want to check whether the state requires, e.g., documentation of rabies vaccination or certificate of good health.
We also did a number of things to try and make the flight less uncomfortable (for her and for us). We chose the most direct flightplan. We also set the carrier out for a couple months before the trip so she would get used to it as part of her territory, occasionally coaxing her inside with treats. She was in the cabin with us for the flight, and we put a blanket from home over part of the carrier so that she had more familiar smells and to help keep her warm on the cold airplane floor.

I think what you bring on an international move depends partly on what items are most important to you. We approached packing for our move from the US to Germany (other direction, I know) as an exercise in determining the things that are the most important, as well as in determining what would be the most troublesome/expensive to replace.
Before we moved, we spent a huge amount of time going through everything we owned:
Do we need this?
Do we use it regularly?
Can we replace it for less than it costs to ship?
Does it have sentimental value?
(Extra question, since you're moving in with someone: Does he not already have one as good or better than this?)
If no, off to Craigslist, charity, or trash it went. If we thought we'd need it ASAP, it went into a suitcase to take with. If we thought it could wait, it went into storage at the parents' house.
We brought with us clothing and shoes (expensive to replace), supply of face cream (not sold here), some kitchen items (we like to cook), a couple games (activity enjoyed together), and a few sentimental items. First trip to the States was more shoes (more expensive here) and more kitchen stuff.
World Market has foods from various countries, including chocolate and other candies, for those looking. (We also bring chocolate when we visit the States.)

I think what you bring on an international move depends partly on what items are most important to you. We approached packing for our move from the US to Germany (other direction, I know) as an exercise in determining the things that are the most important, as well as in determining what would be the most troublesome/expensive to replace.
Before we moved, we spent a huge amount of time going through everything we owned:
Do we need this?
Do we use it regularly?
Can we replace it for less than it costs to ship?
Does it have sentimental value?
(Extra question, since you're moving in with someone: Does he not already have one as good or better than this?)
If no, off to Craigslist, charity, or trash it went. If we thought we'd need it ASAP, it went into a suitcase to take with. If we thought it could wait, it went into storage at the parents' house.
We brought with us clothing and shoes (expensive to replace), supply of face cream (not sold here), some kitchen items (we like to cook), a couple games (activity enjoyed together), and a few sentimental items. First trip to the States was more shoes (more expensive here) and more kitchen stuff.
World Market has foods from various countries, including chocolate and other candies, for those looking. (We also bring chocolate when we visit the States.)

Yes, normally, but DCF is a slightly different process, and the timeline is usually much shorter.
MrsHips, double-check your list against that in the I-130 instructions, or check the VJ guide or wiki. You have some papers, e.g., your birth certificate, that are not required at this stage unless Manila specifically requests them. (They don't post their DCF information online, so I don't know.) That wiki link also has a (long) list of possible evidence of bona fide marriage that you could compare to what you plan to send.
Manila requires that the USC has lived in PI for six months, so you can file as soon as that is true. If you want to shorten the process, you and your husband can prepare for the next step (I-864, etc.) while waiting for the I-130 approval.
Unfortunately, the bills sent to the apartment don't show much except that someone pays for the apartment's electricity and water. Do you have a way to show that you two, specifically, pay these bills? Maybe receipts in your names? (If not, joint bills aren't required to be in a bona fide marriage.)
Don't forget photos from after your wedding, too!
The wisdom on this site is that third-party affidavits only need to be notarized if required by the consulate.
Others can give country-specific feedback.
Added: Another link: The thread below yours addresses how to show the USC's residency.

As I think is clear by now, DCF would be faster than filing with the lockbox. I don't know the time London is taking, but you could check in the DCF forum or in the VJ stats (data only as good as that entered).
A couple links for you:
One of the London DCF alumnae maintains a VJ wiki page on their process.
A previous poster mentioned that you will need to address domicile if you live abroad when filing the I-864 (not sent with I-130). London discusses how they approach this in their FAQ pages.

Instead of focusing on the phrase "ongoing marital union" – not so useful when you've been married two days – think about what you have that shows you're in an "ongoing couple." For example, include those documents, photos, etc that show you've been together as a couple for four years. (Another way to think about it: those four years led into the marriage.)
P.S. In your other thread, you mention that you have lived together in Spain these past two years. Include this in your evidence.

You can move to the US whenever you'd like, up to the time when your spouse enters on his CR-1. Your husband can move when the visa is granted.
Here is a thread on the topic of whether the USC's filing from abroad affected the I-130 processing time: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/357465-usc-petitioner-living-abroad/
The auto-expedite is, as mentioned, not a guarantee. However, there is some discussion in the thread about what may or may not increase the odds.

It's great that you are thinking ahead!
Here's another suggestion: get a plastic folder of some sort (like an expanding file folder). Put a BIG label on it "I-130" or, in my case, "I-751". Keep it in a place in your house/apartment that is easy to see.
Every time you do something together with your spouse that has "evidence" (hotel receipts, wedding invitations with both your names, boarding passes, movie tickets, jointly addressed mail (like Christmas cards or bills), joint statements, car stuff), put it in the folder! Don't worry about organizing it - just collect the stuff!
You will not believe how much easier it will make your submission. And...it is really good to have evidence from the date you married - so start building your file!
Good luck!
Sukie in NY

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1
Here is a link to the guides. You can find a lot of good info under the tabs at the top of the page

With the IR-1, it will be about a year before you submit your financial information. I'm guessing bootcamp will be long finished and you'll have gathered quite a few paystubs by then.

Irrelevant, if information on the I-864 fundamentally changes from the time it is initially submitted to the time an interview takes place, an updated form must be submitted. Failure to do so is Material Misrepresentation which has serious consequences.