SoCalMan

Hey everyone, 

Kinda of a similar question I posted back regarding the I-129F but I just want to make sure the same is needed with the I-134.

I changed my first name twice and noticed that the I-134 affidavit asks for other names used. Do I also need to send copies of the legal judge approved stamped documents with the form too? Or not needed since I'll be sending it with the I-129f already. Will this also raise any red flags that I changed it twice?

Thanks everyone!

1 hour ago, Celeste & C said:

 

 

Oh yeah, you are not the only person who changed their name. The important thing is to have the judgment or any other proof of name change. Keep that record from the court for the rest of your life. I work for a pension fund and if your name is not the same as the one in your birth certificate (for example) you will have to submit proof of name change.

 

Don't stress over something that is not an issue. If you had changed your name without going through the court, then it could be a problem (you'd be surprised at a number of people who do this); but that's not the case. 

Thanks, I just thought since I changed my first name twice (although it being a slight change) they would find me suspicious. I do have all court documents, showing my birth name and then it being changed to Mickey and finally Michael.

11 minutes ago, Girljinxed18 said:

I have the same issue as I'm filing. I changed my name because I didn't like it either. I've read a few different things on this but I'm including my change of name letter that I received from the state in our packet. It says any names you've used before, so I'd rather err on side of caution but as far as I know this shouldn't have any effect on the actual process. I imagine it's mostly so they can better search for your various public records, etc

Yeah I'd like to know if anyone went through the same thing and was approved. 

1 hour ago, Celeste & C said:

No, a lot of people change their names. 

 

It should not be a concern

Phew! What a relief! Thank you Celeste & C!

First of all, thank you everyone who have taken the time to read and answer all questions. This forum is a goldmine.

My question is a bit embarrassing, but anywho, I was born with a name I did not like and ended up changing it (Mickey) and again (Michael) after two years and it has remained since then. Middle and surname have remained the entire time and I have the official court decree documents with the stamp from the judge.

I am aware that there is a section that states "other names used" which I'll definitely fill out and I'll provide copies of the court decrees. 

I'm just worried they'll find it suspicious and deny the application. Will this cause red flags?

thanks again everyone. Have a nice one

1 hour ago, A'n'L said:

 

No. She should say she's visiting her fiancé. Never offer more than what is asked. Most likely they will not ask anything beyond that, but if they do - she can offer the evidence.

Thank you very much. This is scary stuff. One wrong answer even if it's the truth can set them off it seems...

54 minutes ago, MalaysiaUS said:

It is great if you are able to visit each other while K-1 is being filed, however, you need to show a strong tie to your country since you already showed intention to immigrate to States. He can visit you in your country too, and that picture can be use as the supporting during the interview.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question. So when my german gf is asked by the CBP, she should answer "I'm visiting my fiancé, here is my proof that I'll be staying only 2 weeks"?

1 hour ago, MalaysiaUS said:

If let's say you meet again after submitting your K-1 visa petition, you can bring all the photos taken during that trip to the interview. But, it is not compulsory. If you don't meet again after submitting the petition, you can bring other type of supporting during the interview. Anything that can be a proof for ongoing relationship, such as messages, video/voice call logs, gift exchange. You can also provide all proof of arrangement of the wedding if you have. 

Ah ok, I thought it was a bad idea to visit while the K-1 is being filed. If she does or I visit, how should I answer the CBP when they ask who are you visiting? " I'm visiting my fiancé? Or bf/gf?"

thank you very much!

3 hours ago, geowrian said:

One meeting within the past 2 years is all that is required for the I-129F. So be sure to keep any evidence of doing so on your trip (boarding passes, hotel receipts, etc.). Photos are only secondary evidence.

 

Evidence of an ongoing relationship will be needed for the interview. That's where things like the amount of face-to-face time (in person), 

So to provide evidence of an ongoing relationship, we will need to have new photos that have been taken after the K1 has been sent out? Not sure what they mean..

Thanks!

Thanks everyone. I'm still unsure which visa I should use. I'll have to give it some time. And that's correct, the prices do not concern me. I'm more concerned about what evidence one must provide and what to say to the CBP/POE. This is what worries me the most.

For those that successfully went through the CR-1 process, did you still have to provide proof from the past 2 years before submitting the form like the K1? I do know you have to show proof of marriage.

Thanks again everyone!

1 hour ago, Leafsfan said:

There's no clear cut winner on which visa to go with, it all depends on your situation and values.

K1: is a little bit faster to go through processing, so you won't be apart quite as long (it's still 6+ months). You still have lots to do afterwards though: get married within 90 days, adjustment of status, and your fiance still cannot work until after the AOS is done. This route costs about twice as much as a CR1

CR1: Longer wait (usually, mine was still 6 months from Canada), but everything is done when your spouse is approved to come. They get their social and green card mailed out as soon as they make legal entry and activate the visa, and can seek work immediately. Costs about half in filing fees what a K1 does.

 

As far as her coming, I declared I was entering with the intent to marry my fiance and return to Canada afterward. They might approve the visit, they might not. Your fiance would have to prove intent to move home; in my case, I had work obligations, a mortgage, and made a land crossing in my vehicle which I could not import to the USA at the time.

What does one do if they don't approve the visit even with all proof of ties to the country? There's no plan B?

1 hour ago, Leafsfan said:

There's no clear cut winner on which visa to go with, it all depends on your situation and values.

K1: is a little bit faster to go through processing, so you won't be apart quite as long (it's still 6+ months). You still have lots to do afterwards though: get married within 90 days, adjustment of status, and your fiance still cannot work until after the AOS is done. This route costs about twice as much as a CR1

CR1: Longer wait (usually, mine was still 6 months from Canada), but everything is done when your spouse is approved to come. They get their social and green card mailed out as soon as they make legal entry and activate the visa, and can seek work immediately. Costs about half in filing fees what a K1 does.

 

As far as her coming, I declared I was entering with the intent to marry my fiance and return to Canada afterward. They might approve the visit, they might not. Your fiance would have to prove intent to move home; in my case, I had work obligations, a mortgage, and made a land crossing in my vehicle which I could not import to the USA at the time.

What does one do if they don't approve the visit even with all proof of ties to the country? There's no plan B?

14 hours ago, Boiler said:

Have you looked at the K1?

Yes, it's the first one I looked at. I'm still unsure which visa to petition. Do you think that would be better?

Hi everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to answer all questions. 

Ive been thinking about filing for the CR-1 in the future but I'm unsure on one step. When the time comes for my German girlfriend to travel to the US to marry (I'm assuming on the vwp?) what does she say to the CBP? Simply "I'm visiting my bf?" And not "I'm marrying my bf and then flying back in 2 weeks"?

Sorry for the question, I could not find an answer in the search feature. Take care 

54 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

Yes. This is what is needed. The other one you refer to was the hospital issued certificate which actually doesn't meet the requirements 

Phew! Thank you !

Hi everyone,

I lost my original birth certificate (issued when I was born with my foot prints) years ago and then got a certified copy with all the security features and seal of approval from the state I was born. Will this be acceptable? 

Thanks everyone for all the replies! My other question is, we have met already but unfortunately we did not take a selfie pic together. However I probably won't be submitting the form until years from now (we want to visit each other more first) As long as the photos of us together are within the last 2 years is what matters correct?

Thanks everyone for answering! That's a relief! My other question is, when she arrives to the US for the first time, and the officer asks "why are you visiting" what would be the best answer for her? "I'm visiting on holiday? "I'm visiting my boyfriend"?

Hey everyone, thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions.

i have a question that has been worrying me. My girlfriend is german and she would like to visit America (me) for 2 or 3 weeks. Will this cause red flags or show suspicious activity when I apply for the I-129F Fiancé visa when she's back in Germany?

also, are passport stamps, and boarding passes from her valid when I put them in my I-129 form/packet? I was under the impression they only want passport stamps from the American petitioner?

Also must those passport stamps and boarding passes from her in my I-129F be translated by a certified translator? 

19 minutes ago, Ash.1101 said:

I'm pretty sure at some point they ask employment for the last 5 years, but as long as you don't change jobs every 4-6 months, then even just having a job for 6 months or longer can be considered just fine.

So if I have 2 steady jobs and make the required amount of income for let's say 3 years, we should be fine?

Hi everyone, I just want to first thank everyone for helping each other. 

For 2016 I could not find work so made zero money. I recently started working again and studying and hopefully will be having a steady income. My question is how far back do they check your income history? Let's say I want to marry in 2020. Also how long have I  had to be bringing in the steady required income? I fear they will see I did not make anything and not allow my girlfriend to live with me.

thanks everyone

Will it raise any red flags that I changed my first name twice? Even though I have legal proof?

Hi everyone I have a question regarding the I-129F

My  question is, it states on the instructions for the I-129F that "Evidence of U.S. citizenship which may include any of the following"

Does this mean I can just send my valid passport? And not my birth certificate? The reason I ask is because my birth certificate has my old name which does not match my new legal name on my passport. Should I send a copy of my birth certificate anyway with a copy of the document showing my legal name change by a judge?

I am aware that there is a section to provide additional names or aliases, which I will of course fill out. 

Thanks everyone!