hannahj_11

You need to pay two fees for two petitions.   When you submit the I-130 online, you will be directed to pay online.  

Update:
We received the GC the 21st, Thank you all for your support and good luck.

Update:
We received the GC the 21st, Thank you all for your support and good luck.

The best time to contact NVC is when they open, you will still likely be on hold but the wait time shouldn't be long.

it used to take between 5 to 9 months. How long you've been waiting?

I agree with JeanneAdil and Try to be honest with your answers. 

Update:
We received the GC the 21st, Thank you all for your support and good luck.

Update:
We received the GC the 21st, Thank you all for your support and good luck.

Update:
We received the GC the 21st, Thank you all for your support and good luck.

We had the interview 18th of Jun and the 19th our status updated to approved. We will be expecting to receive an approval letter by mail soon.
Our case number started with MSC

We had the interview 18th of Jun and the 19th our status updated to approved. We will be expecting to receive an approval letter by mail soon.
Our case number started with MSC

We filled in January 2019.  We have our interview next month. 
 
What can we expect after the interview?

We filled in January 2019.  We have our interview next month. 
 
What can we expect after the interview?

Congratulations!
In Morocco it took us almost 3 weeks waiting for the marriage certificate to be done. The very important thing is to double check the documents you have to bring with you from the US.
as certificate of celebrity, birth certificate... and all of these needs to be translated.

https://dz.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/marriage-in-algeria/

Aside from the paperwork, you also need to be prepared for an uphill battle with the embassy there. Algeria is a difficult country for visa approvals. How many times have you met in person? Did you marry on the first visit? You will need to load your petition with as much evidence of time spent together as you can think of. 

I gave the officer both the originals and copies of everything as they requested to bring both and he only gave me my original marriage certificate back.

Check with Portugal embssy in your country& get the visa fd its needed
do not wait to leave then run into probs

I think you don't need a transit visa for Portugal if you do NOT leave the airport. But since you mentioned staying at a hotel due to the long layover (while having a baby too), I think you will need a visa. You could also consider staying at an airport hotel.
 
I found some info here:
https://portugal.com/portugal/travel-tips/entering-portugal
 
But I would recommend contacting, by phone (and email too if you want to have a written proof), the Portuguese consulate in Morocco just to b sure sure.

Good luck!

I will be in the area of the Consulate tomorrow to pick up my visa and I think I will stop by and ask for the originals in exchange for the copies or see if they will be returning them back with the visa.

Thank you very much!! We are very very happy and excited!

Thank you very much!

I don't have any advise about the paperwork.  Just wanted to say congratulations! Wishing you the very best!!

As per USCIS, you shouldn't be submitting the originals unless specified  Might be quite difficult to get them back but definitely try to contact the embassy. Good luck!

There is something very strange about a 46yo, thrice divorced man secretly marrying a foreign 17yo girl (were you dating her at 16?) while cohabitating with one of his exwives who financially supports him as he is unemployed. Take the time to mull that over.

Hannah,
Rest your mind a little. I've checked out your blog and you two are adorable! Yes, there are many horror stories from the consulate but they usually come from couples with age gaps, the woman being older and divorced with children, and they have spent little time together in person.
Your situation is not a case that raises the red flags. Think about it this way: when couples breeze through the process, they have little to talk about. Therefore, you don't hear how easy it was for them.
As others have stated, the spouse is usually not allowed onto the consulate and must wait outside. You guys are going to do great! Don't stress!

My experience at the consulate was a pretty good one. Reading other people's experiences doesn't mean you're gonna go through the same thing. Every case is different and I wouldn't worry so much if I was you, you two look pretty legit to me. Just be honest about everything.
You can read my review here
Good luck