renatesol

I too got the letter that they're going to reuse my biometrics info from before. Yay! That's a half day of PTO I can save for something actually fun...
 
 

That's exactly the point though - they're processed differently because a K1 and a CR1 applicant aren't applying for the same thing. Also, there is no reason why an engaged couple couldn't have been together, lived together and have children for a year or more, just the same as a married couple.
It's a tough process for all of us, no matter which route we choose, and I don't think the time spent apart is easier on one type of visa applicants than the other. We're all in the same boat here when it comes to having to wait to be with our loved ones.

That's exactly the point though - they're processed differently because a K1 and a CR1 applicant aren't applying for the same thing. Also, there is no reason why an engaged couple couldn't have been together, lived together and have children for a year or more, just the same as a married couple.
It's a tough process for all of us, no matter which route we choose, and I don't think the time spent apart is easier on one type of visa applicants than the other. We're all in the same boat here when it comes to having to wait to be with our loved ones.

Welcome to the thread, and congrats on starting your journey!
The multi language birth certificate is what I used for my K1 interview, and it was accepted without question. I can't remember if there are two different birth certificates - just make sure to get the one that will have your parents' names on it.
I assume it will also be good for AOS, if not then I don't know what to do...
Like Maria said, you might not need it to get a marriage license, depending on the state where you're seeking the license. I just got mine here in Texas, and all I needed was valid ID (passport).

Whoa, that is nice!
Also hey, we'll be in "neighbouring" cities. Because, ya know, distances in Texas are nooothing...

I really hope your journey will speed up from here so that you'll be home before you know it! *hugs*

Hahaha, this is so me as well. Even outside the embassy, I was crazily scrolling through my email to make absolutely, positively sure that I was in the right line. Then another girl walked up and asked me "hey, is this the line for K1 visas?", and I was all "Yes, yes it is." "But the sign says immigrant visas." "Yes, the K1s go in for an immigrant visa interview even if it's normally classified as a non-immigrant visa." Confidence itself, all of a sudden.

July 16! I just booked my tickets. We'd planned on my fiance coming here for a week first to help me pack, but sadly since we had to wait for so long to book our tickets (I'm a worrier, I'd never book before being certain the visa was approved) his ticket suddenly came out to almost $3000... So it'll be just me - but for the last time!

It went very well, completely smooth! I got there at 8 am and was done and approved by 8:45. All my documents were approved (opened police certificate, divorce decree translated by coworker) and I got all my proof back. For proof I brought photos, receipt for wedding bands, Skype log and boarding passes. The lady who interviewed me was really nice, and said I'd have my visa and passport back in 14 days or less. Now I just need to book my ticket!

Your comment bashing Chinese Nationals and other foreigners is small minded and against TOS.
This is an immigration site and nobody will stop their petition because you failed to adequately understand the culture of your wife.
I have not read one thing that says she scammed you, you had a big fight about her son moving in which should have been discussed
and agreed upon but to not picking him up from the airport and her walking in the cold to pick him up is lack of responsibility on your part
and plain childish.
YOU should never again marry a foreigner, because YOU don't get it.
Was I scammed before ? Yes, by Americans ! I am also a naturalized citizen and take it as an insult for you to say don't marry a foreigner.
Be accountable for your own poor choices and stop generalizing and stereotyping.
You should make sure your communication skills match that of your spouse when you chose one or have the patience to work on it with her
and understand the culture that comes into play.

I spent another 40 minutes on the phone with NVC today to get my invoice id and beneficiary id, but I'm glad that I did, because just an hour after I got off the phone with them I got packet 3 from the embassy! Everything is happening lightning fast now, it seems!

Here's what I was told by the doctor who does the medical exams for Norwegians: If you're between the ages of 19 and 49, the vaccines you need are MMR, tetanus/diphteria (must be refilled if it's been more than 10 years since you had yours - I had that done and got the combo tetanus/diphteria/pertussis/polio vaccine), varicalla unless you've had it. You can get a printout of your old vaccinations on https://helsenorge.no/vaksiner/mine-vaksiner, and this is good enough for the medical exam.
It doesn't hurt to be ahead of things, especially not the immunizations which are easily done ahead of time and won't "expire" while the visa process is underway.

This is asked about time and time again. The instructions state to mail the I-129F petition to the Dallas Lockbox facility, but people are still often confused about where to mail it, where it goes, and where it gets processed.
The Dallas Lockbox is an intake facility. It is not a USCIS service center. They do not process and adjudicate the petitions there.
The address for regular mail is a Dallas address and the address for courier mail is a Lewisville address. They are still both being sent to the Dallas Lockbox. The difference in addresses is just because the Dallas PO Box address cannot accept courier mail.
This is exactly what happens when your petition is received at the Dallas Lockbox > http://www.uscis.gov/about-us/directorates-and-program-offices/lockbox-intake/lockbox-intake-processing-questions-and-answers
The Lockbox Service provider performs the following activities when processing incoming applications:
Receive, open, sort and stage mail. Prepare and scan documents. Enter document data in system from scanned images. Accept or reject applications and related fees based on business rules. Balance applications and fees. Deposit payments to the U.S. Treasury Send receipt notices for accepted applications to the applicant and designated representative. Return rejected applications to the applicant or designated representative. Transmit application data to USCIS and payment data to U.S. Department of Treasury. Send application files to the appropriate USCIS service center or field office for further processing. Once your petition is received and dealt with by the Lockbox facility, it will be sent to one of the USCIS service centers to be adjudicated. This is not a transfer of your case. Transfers only happen between one service center and another. If your petition was to be transferred, then you would receive a transfer notice stating such. Don't enter a transfer into your VJ timeline unless you actually receive a transfer notice, which is something entirely separate/different from your NOA1 receipt notice of filing.
Your receipt notice (NOA1) will contain your receipt number and the service center location that your petition was sent to. Currently there are only two service centers processing the I-129F petitions. They are California (CSC) and Texas (TSC). If your receipt number begins with WAC, then your petition is at the CSC. If your receipt number begins with SRC then your petition is at the TSC.
Typically the petitions are sent to one of the two service centers based on where the USC petitioner resides. I have seen some report that is not always 100% the case, but for the most part this is correct.
California Service Center: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Texas Service Center: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

I basically just hiss at people when they ask me about it nowadays, haha. At least on the inside I hiss. Gotta try to resemble a normal human being on the outside...

Congrats Chuksteddylove! A very nice Christmas present for you, and some Christmas hope for us other July filers.

Ok, maybe you're not. Then again, maybe you are. Or maybe you aren't doing it at all.... which is still wrong.
Have you been looking at Igor's list trying to get an idea of how long your visa will take? That data is taken from the timelines other visa journey members take the time to fill out as their quest for a visa unfolds. This site is AMAZING and offers a lot of guidance and support that you won't get anywhere else, especially from USCIS. Don't just take, give back!
When you do update your timeline there are some things you can do to, well, not screw up.
For example:
When you send in your application, please note that just because it goes to a Texas address does not mean you sent it to the Texas Service Center. It means you sent it to the Lewisville, TX lockbox where it will be sorted out and then sent to the appropriate service center. THIS IS NOT A TRANSFER. The same would apply to other lockboxes as well. This is a mistake that is easy to make if you aren't familiar with the process but it does a lot of damage to the credibility of the timelines, especially for those at the Texas Service Center.
Also, pay attention to the consulate you select. I see a lot of people that have their consulate listed as "Armenia" when they are not anywhere near there.
Lastly, just update your timeline! When you enter in your dates for RFE, NOA2, Interviews, approvals and anything else, it gives people with similar circumstances an idea of what they are in for. You know this process is daunting, frustrating, time consuming, and confusing.... wouldn't you appreciate and guidance and help other than a "general processing time estimate" that is not necessarily taking your details into account?
Unfortunately due to data entry mistakes, Igor's List has become less of a reliable resource for some of us and the time frame estimates on our own completed timelines is not accurate at all. These are great resources if we can get people to participate AND put in details correctly.
If you have questions on how to do it please ask in this thread! Somebody will gladly answer.
If you have more suggestions on how to fill out the timeline correctly so we can all make better use of these free tools VJ gives us, please add!