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.

She has an apartment in the PH that she's been staying in for about a year, I've been staying with her since I arrived. I've also been paying for her apartment since she moved in, but I've been paying for it by sending her remittances and then she pays the landlord. We spoke to her landlord and her landlord is willing to provide an affidavit stating how long she's been there, how long it's been paid for indirectly by me, and that she witnessed me staying in the apartment with her for two months following arrival and marriage. Would that be something that is appropriate to get, scan and submit to USCIS? I can also submit images of my remittances over the year to the wife before we got married.

Online Form i130 is asking for asking for lists of evidence on the page with the 2x2" photo upload. I still need to start looking over I130A for the wife to help fill out. It mentions things like affidavits from family and friends stating our relationship is real, joint bank accounts, joint rent leases etc. Issue is, since I'm a tourist here in the PH I don't believe I can open a joint bank account, particularly without a PSA marriage certificate, feel free to educate me if I'm wrong on this. I have been sending her rent, phone load, and some grocery money via Remitly for over a year and have online records of this, could I submit pictures of this as some proof? Pictures of our wedding reception with friends? (her family couldn't travel to attend as their health is not so good.) I could get typed/written statements from our mutual friends in the PH, some of her family members stating that our relationship is genuine along with personal experiences and copies of their photo IDs. I could also ask some US family and friends that haven't met her personally but know me very well and have conversed with me many times about our relationship, plans to get married, and so on over the last twoish years. My US friends and family have not met the wife in-person but have spoken to her over videocalls many times prior to and after getting married. I can also attach photos of this on-going trip in the PH, my trip before covid, and my trip back in 2018 to see her. Any advice, and resources would be greatly appreciated. I can't really afford to pay someone to help organize/prepare things, so I'm trying to do it all myself. Thank you and God bless.

The delay as far as the online goes was because I'm taking several summer classes and she's reviewing for her licensure exams, and she only just recently got her Postal ID/Passport that is required for the Utah Online Wedding. We could do it now, we were just sort of waiting a little bit longer for things to settle down and my trip is in about 3 weeks. As if I've been to the PH. I've been there twice so far, but it's been 2.5 years now due to Covid since the last time. I'm aware things are different there, I just figured notarization was a similar process, but I was mistaken.

I'll keep it in mind about the sponsor and see what I can come up with. It will be difficult as my extended family is a no-go, and my mom is only on social security. No one else left sadly, most of my family passed on earlier in my life.

Yeah, I was thinking of how it is in the USA. Thank you for letting me know that the ROM is pointless for the I-130. Would getting it notarized and signed in the PH for both of us, still be acceptable for the ROM process at the consulate? I believe it's five copies that they require. Usually most people have the foreign spouse sign in the PH and then the US spouse signs and gets it notarized here in the USA but I wouldn't see why it couldn't be done in the PH together.

Yeah, I'm aware the ROM isn't needed for I-130, but I figured a legal related document in the PH with signatures and notarization saying "Hey, these two people were in that office at x time on x date and this notarization proves it." may be helpful. Maybe not? Was a thought anyway.

I'm in my early 30s, Fiancé is in her mid 20s. We've been together about 3 years, she's in the Philippines, and she just finished grad school. I have a bachelors degree but I plan to go back to school potentially for an accelerated 1 year nursing program next year. My income is low for a variety of reasons (kind of hermited during the first year of covid, and took also care of my mom whose health is somewhat poor). I made about $21k last year, projected to be around $18k this year due to taking a lot of additional classes this year and my job cut out the pandemic bonuses they had. I do have a modest amount of assets invested in stock indexes in a retirement ROTH IRA / 401k, and some in a brokerage that could potentially be used if asset amounts are requested by USCIS to make up a shortfall in income. Anyway. I'm planning to travel to the Philippines in August, we're considering getting married online via Utah Online Wedding while in the same place together. We're thinking of doing it this way because getting married in the PH can take 2-4 weeks, and requires an embassy visit to get the sworn statement of being single in my case. We figured if we did it with Utah we could do it simple/fast and spend more time together as a married couple. I believe once we're married and since I'll be there with her in the same room that the marriage will be considered "consummated". I'll have a digital marriage certificate and I can start going through the application packet for the I-130 as I have time and get that ready to be submitted with associated documents. I'll also have to order an Apostilled certificate I believe for the ROM, but I don't think this is required for the I-130. While I'm there, we'll get the documents sorted for the Report of Marriage Abroad (ROM) and get those signatured and notarized together in the Philippines. I will bring these documents back with me, including copies of her PSA Birth Cert, copies of her personal identification such as passport, and her CENOMAR. When I come back to the USA, I'll file for the ROM with the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco with the document packet they require. If I haven't already submitted it while I'm in the PH, I can submit the application for the I-130. While I'm in the PH I'll also be job hunting so that when I come back to the USA, God willing I'll have additional work hours and can raise my income level up a bit more for the year and also packrat more savings for future studies. During the time away, the wife would be preparing for her PRC licensure in the PH (medical field related degree) because I want her to have her PRC License as a fallback in case something ever happened to me, and as long as she can get enough CEUs over time she can keep it active even if she's not physically in the PH all the time. She'd likely go back to school eventually in the USA as she can't work with her graduate profession in the USA without additional training and certification, but she could work other related fields until she finished school. My biggest concern is making sure that the marriage is considered consummated for the I-130 and Utah online wedding. Will a Zoom Video along passport stamps (showing arrival and departure dates) that we were together when we got married, and notarized ROM showing that we were both there in the PH and signing it post-nuptial be enough for USCIS? Second concern is income level, my income level is below the $22,887 required for 2022, and probably still will be for 2023 if I start nursing school in mid-2023 as I won't be able to work full time. (Nursing school is extremely busy body and stressful.) I know that I can use assets to make up the difference in income 3x, so if the shortfall is $5000, then I need $15k in assets, and so forth, if I'm understanding it correctly. I'm also aware that co-sponsors can be used with spousal visas but I'm not sure that I can find one, as I don't really have family or close friends. Just reaching out and seeking thoughts/concerns/suggestions. For those of you that may suggest fiancé visa: We've thought about it off and on, and it seems to me that spousal visa's have a higher approval rate, and I can use assets and co-sponsors for it. Plus when she did arrive in the USA she'd be able to be as busy as she feels comfortable to be, instead of being forced to stay home for 3-6 months waiting for greencard approval.