J.M.

The only requirements for K-1 to depart the Philippines is visa, passport, CFO certificate, airport tax, and a ticket. Either she was processed incorrectly, or she didn't understand what they told her, or she is squeezing you for cash. I'm not making an accusation- I'm just listing the possibilities.

Texas does not offer a divorce certificate. The decree you have is the correct, legal document. I will add that mine is stamped "certified true and correct copy" on each page. Hopefully the county stamp is a valid substitute for that statement. It seems like it would be. Take the entire decree with you.

The only purpose for the sanctions was to get Colombia to accept their returning citizens, so of course they were dropped when Columbia agreed to do that.

And hopefully passport stamps?

Did your letters of intent include a "marry within 90 days" phrase or something similar? Did you describe your meeting circumstances on the I-129f? Including at least one meeting within the 2 years prior to filing date?

Although the OP beneficiary is in the Philippines, the question was not asked specifically for the Philippines, so I answered it in general. You are correct that Manila typically does not ask for the I-134, but they can, so it is wise to have it just in case.

Both are needed for K-1, but at different stages. I-134 is hand carried to interview by beneficiary. I-864 is sent with I-485 when adjusting status, after marriage.

The NVC stage can take a few weeks to a few months. You cannot complete the DS-160 until your MNL case number is assigned by NVC. Yes, you can fill out the DS-160 for your fiancée. I did. You can save it as you go along. Eventually, you will get to a Sign and Submit page. At that point, your fiancée can log into the same account, review it, and sign it. I made all of her appointments for her. With the new website, you can pay the DS-160 fee online by CC.

Was the marriage reported and recorded in the Philippines?

My wife has 2 first names. She was able to use both, along with her maiden name for middle name, and my surname for her last name. The SS card is limited to 26 characters for first and middle names, then another 26 for last name and suffixes. Her SS card is: First1 First2 Maiden Last Just for info- SS only cares about your first and last name. Those must be on the card. Anything else on there (that will fit) is optional. What is printed on the card is not necessarily your complete legal name. You can have 14 first names, but only what will fit will be on the card. If all 3 names won't fit, at least make sure your preferred first name is on there.

This is a Vietnam specific question. Have a look here: Vietnam - VisaJourney. There are several discussions about interview requirements there.

A few days after entry to the US as a K-1, you can apply for a SS card (up the 75th day after arrival). Immigration will have you listed by your maiden name, so that is what you must use for your initial SS card. Some K-1's have had success getting the initial SS card name changed to married name by showing your marriage certificate. Most have not had luck doing that, so it just depends on the local office. As for EAD and green card, whatever name you use on the applications will be the name that is on your cards. If you use married name when applying for EAD and green card, they will be issued with your married name. Also, you can just check a box on the I-485 and I-765 petitions that will allow an updated (married name) SS card to be mailed to you. That is, by far, the easiest route to take. For me personally, there was no rush to get a SS card, so we didn't bother getting one until we filed I-485/I-765. I avoid government offices whenever possible.

Congratulations!

She's already working. We used EAD for I-9. No DL yet though, so I am her personal Jeepney. All I have for her to learn to drive is a gigantic 4 door truck, so it's slow going. We'll get her a tiny car soon.

Received updated SS card (without employment condition statement) and official I-485 approval in the mail today. Green card USPS tracking shows it will arrive tomorrow.

I understand your frustration with waiting, but if you didn't go K-1 you would still be waiting got her to even get here!

Petitioner birth certificate or passport bio page may be submitted as proof of citizenship. Beneficiary birth certificate/passport info is not needed for I-129f.

I'm not sure why you are trying to tie the question to your birth certificate. It does not ask for maiden name, or other names used. It only asks for her name, not previous names. I used my mother's "new" current name (after she re-married), which obviously did not match her name on my birth certificate. If they wanted her maiden name, they would specifically ask for it. If they wanted all other names ever used, they would specifically ask for them.

Put your mother's CURRENT legal name.

I-485 was approved today!

You've got lots of time to learn about the process. This site is for DIY users, so you will find everything you need here to file on your own. The Philippines is a common country for K-1. There is a regional forum that discusses only the Philippines: Philippines - VisaJourney

I have heard the same from someone using the new system. Once it was in READY status, it went through.

The question is "Have YOU ever...", not has the beneficiary ever... YOU, the petitioner, are filling out the form, so any reference to YOU, means the petitioner.

Agreed! My wife is from a tiny island. I listed her address as "no formal street address" on all of her paperwork. It only had the barangay, city, and province. Somehow, they managed to deliver the often not received "packet 4" (or whatever the one is that has the Imbra pamphlet in it) to her. It arrived after her interview was already completed, but it did arrive. I guess the island is so small that everybody knows everybody. I also wanted a reliable address to send documents to her. I chose a FedEx office that said they would hold the delivery for her. I asked for their address. Their official address is "at the corner of street X and Y." Looking at their office on Google maps, I could see that it was within 1/4 mile of that intersection, but certainly not AT the intersection. I chose a different method to send the documents.

There are no questions about beneficiary criminal history on I-129f petition. As smilingstone stated, the beneficiary criminal history is listed on the DS-160, and supporting documentation will be presented at interview. DS-160 is completed after I-129F is approved.