TO285

Overthinking the i-864 document for the most part.

Thank you for the information and response, I'll keep it in mind as I move forward with this. I was just very worried when I realized that it could be an issue.

I'm very confused after reading the i-864 instructions, specifically this regarding tax transcripts and returns. "If you provide a photocopy of your Federal individual income tax returns, you must include a copy of each and every Form W-2 and Form 1099 that relates to your returns. Do not include copies of these forms if you provide an IRS transcript of your Federal individual income tax returns rather than a photocopy unless you filed a joint income tax return with your spouse and are qualifying using only your income" Okay.. So I filed my taxes overseas with an IRS agent as MFJ, obtained an ITIN for my wife earlier this year for future tax filings. I have digital copies of the original 1040 before signing it because I filled it out with an online tax software and then printed and signed it. BUT I do not have the original with signatures, dates from us and the acceptance agent. I'm trying to sponsor my spouse entirely on my own earnings, and my spouse had earnings of $0 last year. I have no issues providing my W2s and my 1099s, but I'm highly concerned that the NVC won't accept the unsigned 1040. Is this a situation where I would have to file form 4506 to retrieve a copy of the original (and wait 2+ months more to submit things..)?

I'd like to order a copy of our PSA version of our ROM from the PSA (psaserbilis) to see if it processed fully. Since our marriage was conducted through Utah's Online option, I'm assuming I input the details of the ROM based as if it was conducted abroad (which it was) so select United States of America. It doesn't seem to provide me the choice of State / City, as those are greyed out.. My main concern with ordering this is that it asks the reason for the request at the bottom, Claim Benefits/ Loan, Employment Abroad/Local, Others, Passport/Travel, School Requirements. I'm thinking to choose Passport/Travel as it seems to be the most relevant to us right now, and choosing United States as the destination. But should this really matter as to the purpose? Is she still going to be able to use the PSA copy she receives for her regular paper needs such as filing surname changes, etc?

Hi all, still waiting for I-130 to be approved but I wanted to start thinking about the vaccinations my wife will need. Where would be the 'best' and safest place for her to get the required vaccines and get proper vaccine record slips to bring to the medical exam when that happens? I read on the USCIS site that the civil surgeon can administer the shots if the beneficary is lacking the appropriate vaccines but I've heard that this can cost substantially more since its a US physician administering the vaccines. Additionally, while the site mentions that all multi-dose vaccines (EXCEPT Covid) only require the first shot for immigration purposes, many of the vaccines are multi-dose vaccines (Varicella and Hepatitis for example.) So I was thinking it might be a good idea for her to go ahead and work on getting them done the next time she's in a major city.

Thanks for the info and responses everyone. Glad to know it's normal (weird to say glad for that lol.)

Filed the I-130 using the USCIS online form filer. Case immediately went to 'Case Is Being Actively Reviewed By USCIS' and I received the notice of receipt online and in the mail. It has 'Our records show nothing is outstanding at this time. We will let you know if we need anything from you.' on the case home page. Since then, there has been zero changes at all to the case, no notifications, no emails, no contacts to me or her. Estimated time until case decision was originally 8 months but is now at 'Your case is taking longer than expected to process. You will be notified if you need to take any action.' So, is this totally normal? Is this just how the USCIS operates and how cases generally go, total silence/blackbox until a case decision? I was kind of expecting them to reach out periodically to confirm details, request additional things, etc but there's been totally nothing at all. Would there be any use contacting a congressmen or senator from my local state to inquire about my case or would that potentially make things worse? Sorry guys, I'm sure this is a common question, just thought I'd reach out and ask.

So you think CFO would reject an Apostille stamped marriage certificate from Utah? Since those are meant to be used abroad and the PH is supposed to recognize Apostille stamped certificates? I believe the PH used to call them 'red ribbon' authenticated documents before they started to accept Apostilles.

Really makes me wish I had managed to send the packet in a week or so earlier.. Would have made this random cut off probably. Here's to hoping the consulate office gets an update soon in a, reasonable, timeframe.

Definitely makes me feel like being back in peak of the pandemic again. Stuck between two places so to speak. Can't stay there long term, can't come here either if this goes badly. Hopefully whoever started this in the PSA will get enough pushback to at least allow a ROM even if there's more paperwork and fees needed so it can get sorted.

Unfortunately for some of us this is already done. So it's impossible to fix now unless the PH grandfathers in people of a certain wedding date range to allow us to get a ROM. Are there any options for reaching out to the PSA/DFA directly for information or is the only hope to wait for the San Francisco office to get updates through their channels? Pretty deflated at the moment..

In my case I was physically present WITH my now wife, on the Zoom call with the officiant in Utah. I also had the two witnesses who verbally signed the marriage certificate physically present as well. Maybe six or so other non marriage cert witnesses also present physically. So I'm pretty sure I could get plenty of affidavits if needed to show the San Francisco embassy eventually that we were physically together. I also have the zoom video recording (which I'm not sure if they'd accept that or not as evidence.) Maybe I should contact the Provo office in Utah and ask if the officiant we used (They were one of the clerk officiants there.) would be willing to sign an affidavit that they witnessed us both together on video, that according to their knowledge we were present together in the Philippines, etc. Ultimately my concerns are 1. Getting her here to the USA some day. 2. Our marriage being recognized 'eventually' in the Philippines because if I wanted to ever stay with her in the PH someday for an extended period of time I'm guessing I'd be unable to avail any of the privileges of being her spouse, other visa options besides a tourist visa etc. Plus she and I both have interest of one day retiring in the PH when we're able to build up a big enough nest egg to do so. I'm curious why the PH is suddenly going back to the family code in the prior mentioned livestreams when historically the country has accepted foreign marriages as long as they're lawful in the place of solemnization. Our marriage is LEGAL in the state of Utah in the USA and should be for all intents and purposes accepted in the PH...

So I'm trying to help my wife fill out the PDF for I-130A that is to be attached to I-130. Most of the fields in the PDF are pretty small, hence why Part 7 exists I'm guessing for additional field space. Here's a link to the empty form for reference https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130a.pdf Here's 6 issues I've found so far: 1. Addresses in the PH aren't quite like they are in the USA, they're more like X apartment complex across from [landmark], [local major street], [barangay], [city], [province], [postal code.. sometimes..] Obviously, the street name & number field for addresses used in the last 5 years cannot hold this under Page 1, Physical Address 1, 2, and last address. City, Province, and Country are no issue issue, but everything else is. So, should I fill out most of the field information for Physical Address 1, and then in Part 7 list it as the following? Page 1, Part 1, Item Number 4.a. Then list Blah Apartment Complex on blah street across from blah school, off of x highway, blah barangay? It always feels very weird to me that they do this but at the same time it seems to be the common way addressing is done in the Philippines and I don't know how else to do it. I can't just put Blah street and no accompanying location information I'm guessing. 2. Page 1 mentions Physical Address 1, 2, and then Last Address of more than 1 year. She's lived at 3 major addresses for all of the last five years, two of less than one year, and then one before then of around 10 years.. Should it be listed like this? #1 Most Current #2 Second longest #3 10 year address? 3. There's no way to put a plus sign or spaces for a country code in the phone number field, should I just put in 63 and they'll make the assumption that it's a country code? If need be I guess I could have her print out that specific page, signature it, get it scanned an remerge it into the PDF. So far every time I've had her get documents printed and scanned by the local shops they always mess something up and I know a signature isn't required for this since she's abroad. 4. Since I'm helping her sort out the form and will be the one attaching the form to the online I-130 form, am I required to list myself as a preparer? 5. Since we haven't filed before, and she has never been to the USA, I'm guessing A-Number and USCIS - Number should be blank? I have a USCIS account now for the I-130 draft but I don't think I'm assigned a USCIS number until later? I'll have to double check. 6. My wife is an unemployed, recent graduate from a doctoral program, so she doesn't have work history. So for: Part 2 - Employment History, and Employment History Outside of the USA. Should we put Employment History 1 - 'Unemployed', Employment History 2 - 'Unemployed' then leave rest of the fields for those blank. Then for Part 3 - Put 'See Part 7' and then in part 7 put: Page 3, Part 3, Item Number 1, then have her fill out an explanation that she's been in college for x amount of years, earned x degrees, and has not been employed during that time?

So what are they expecting people to do? It's not like we can get remarried in the USA even if she came here. And you'd have to lie under perjury to get remarried in the PH that you're not married elsewhere. It's really confusing. Appreciate your perspectives on USCIS and everything else, thank you.

I recently sent off a report of marriage packet to the consulate. Every single document that was needed was included, including additionals. The SF Consulate stated that they will not accept RoMs for the Utah Online Marriage option and are suspending it until further notice from the PSA to clarify legal requirements. I'm so confused now. I even sent in a verification letter from Utah that stated the marriage was considered a legal marriage in the state of Utah and would not technically really fall under 'Online proxy' marriages. Yet the Consulate still sent the packet back. Could this be foreshadowing USCIS also bringing up problems with this? I'm really worried and concerned about it now.