mlybrand

Hi All,

I am getting ready to run off to the FedEx store to mail off my I-130 packages. I am doing 2: 1 for my wife, 1 for my stepson. I had been thinking of sending to packages, but one of my VJ friends said she was sending hers in one package. Which is better, or does it matter? If I go the single package route, what's the best way to present them within so they are clearly shown as separate but together (i.e. clips, separate envelopes, etc)?

Mark

Thanks guys. I will include it if I get it beforehand, but will not wait for it...

Mark

OP is asking whether priority would be considered express/courier or regular mail, I think. Finn, if you are reading, where did you send your FedEx package?? Others, USPS priority... is it considered express/courier? (I was thinking of going USPS priority).

I am hurrying as fast as I can. I just need those 2 little items. My packets sit there waiting to have final copies made, checks written and included and shipped priority. Y'all will hear it here first (well, second... my wife will hear first... I promise to tell y'all before I tell my folks, though).

Mark

Okay, I got my affidavit from our mutual friend today. So, of the original 3 things I was waiting for, I am only missing the 2 from Peru (signed G-325a and passport photo).

I had been looking into getting an SSN (not eligible) and an ITIN (but I have a few questions that I want to have fully answered before getting) and was about to table this avenue from now. However, I decided to call the entity that maintains our retirement accounts and they said there wouldn't be a problem getting my wife added as primary beneficiary even without a number. So the docs are off to them tomorrow. They have a pretty fast turnaround time and I should be able to see the result online within a day or two and within a week I could get an official-looking letter from them with her on the account as primary.

The question would be: Would it be worth it for proving my bonafides to wait a few days for this document, or would it be better to go ahead and send it off as quickly as possible and risk an RFE? It might be moot due to the timing of receiving the 2 outstanding pieces.

Was the photo book packed in jube jubes instead of packing peanuts?

Mark

a special letter from the mom that was motorized

A motorized letter? Cool!!!

I am also interested in this topic and related issues. I did download IRS Pub 519 U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens and will be schooling myself a little. I actually started researching ITINs for the purposes of adding my wife as my beneficiary (pension, life insurance, etc), but am holding for now until I have a clearer understanding of the admonitions on the W-7 form about not filing for an ITIN unless you are filing income taxes (do they mean in the future or do they mean at the time of filing the W-7). W-7 lists exemptions for being able to file for an ITIN without filing income taxes, but none of the listed circumstances are even remotely related to the purposes I want an ITIN for.

Just curious, buy why are you just now filing? April 15 was eons ago...

Mark

Way to go!! I am more than a little envious But still happy for you

How is it that there is only one 70 fee? Do you submit them together? (I will be doing this for my wife and step-son down the road, so forewarned is forearmed as they say).

Yipppeeeee! That rocks, man!

The embassy in Lima does not specifically indicate the requirement for past marriage cert. It is pretty vague really about needed documentation. It would appear that the previous marriage cert requirement does not apply in my case, but I will know when I get there. Just hope I have enough lead time to get stuff from Bogota... I will probably start now, just in case...

Okay. For my part, I am dialing it back down a notch (absent-mindedly munches a yellow jube jube).

I am also confused on this point. Could someone please clarify? Thanks.

Yea, it seems they want marriage cert of previous marriage as well. My wife and I were both previously married and when I called NVC they said they wanted previous marriage cert of my wife along with divorce decree. I had called in regards to the same questing Anja had with

Applicants in the following visa categories are required to provide 1) an original or certified copy of their Petitioner’s birth certificate and 2) original or certified copy of their Petitioner’s marriage certificate from the Petitioner’s current and all previous marriages.

* Parent of a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years old (IR-5)

* Brothers and sisters of United States citizens (F4)

So, they are only necessary for petitions made for parents or siblings, not spouses or unmarried minor children?

Are we all talking about guides here at this site, or is anyone referring to an actual checklist provided by NVC?

Hi, I am about to put together all the Documents for the NVC Package.

For "Petitioner Documents" it is written:

"Applicants in the following visa categories are required to provide 1) an original or certified copy of their Petitioner’s birth certificate and 2) original or certified copy of their Petitioner’s marriage certificate from the Petitioner’s current and all previous marriages.

Parent of a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years old (IR-5)

Brothers and sisters of United States citizens (F4) "

But it doesnt mention if you have to submit as well the divorce decree of any previous marriage of the Petitioner. Anybody knows?

Regards, Anja

So, when I get to this stage, my divorce decree is not going to be enough. I need a certified copy of my previous marriage certificate? Is this true? I got married in Colombia, so this is going to be fun...

Mark

Am I your arch nemesis now?

Cuz that would sort of be cool.

or, I could just take all the black jube jubes and jelly beans and you can have all the stupid green ones.

Good luck with your journey, you and your wife will be A Okay...

Bring it on! We need a little drama.

But I do like the green ones.

And how do you expect us to be enemies is you are wishing me luck and consoling about my situation? I am getting mixed signals.

In all seriousness, thanks for the well-wishing and I have faith that this will all turn out well. I hope all your journeys are equally painless.

Mark

And Finn... the black Jube-jubes are the best, they're anise flavoured...

Well now you just crossed the line! The first thing I do with Juju beans and jelly beans is pick out the black ones and throw them away. Anise was only ever meant for alcohol.

Mark

I am still sending my good thoughts your way. Like many of your VJ family, I have been following closely.

Mark

ha Mark! There's no such thing as a blue jube-jube. You can't fool us!

Which is exactly why I argued that my government was suspicious of them.

Are we going to be broke once our spouses get here??!!!

Why? Are the yellow jube-jubes expensive? Or is because of the ensuing dental care?

Mark

Stop stressing and send your packet in! I can say this because I AGONIZED over every last little thing for a month. Now I wish I would not have as that is another month we will be apart. No matter if she is working or not now, they assume she won't work at all once she arrives and that you must be able to support her without any income on her part (or find a co-sponsor). Trust me, you will feel much better once you have sent it in!

Thankfully, income is definitely not anything I have to worry about... Wait? Are you saying that I should worry about that now too?

Damn! It's the yellow jube-jube's! There I was telling her that it was only the blue ones my government cared about.

Finn, we may not be the big city, but we sure are pretty. Especially now that the weather is starting to cooperate again. Hopefully you won't be trapped indoors all that day. Where in Oly is your meeting?

Since I am basically ready to go with my I-130 packets (just waiting on a few documents to complete my wife's packet), and I am sick and tired of reviewing the paperwork, stressing and second guessing, I thought I would take my fears and concerns off into a new direction:

My wife is employed as an administrative legal analyst at a government entity in Peru. I would assume that this situation is beneficial to the process, but the second guessing crept in and I started wondering if maybe it was in fact detrimental. Then again it's probably neither and it is just a neutral data point. What is the general thought of the beneficiary being employed? Does the type of employment matter? Does this spark any avenues of questioning later in the process that we should be aware of? Should I just shut up, sit back and stop stressing?

Thanks.

Mark

I wrote on mine: "We have never lived together."