coppermouse

As soon as I get married and start process I promise to do it.

OK thanks, I am petitioner

you will need both.

If I understand correct, I do not need the birth certificate for my wife to file for the CR1, but rather she will need at the interview. Is this correct?

I will fill it out tonight. She is coming here Feb 7. I went to Wigilia at Christmas and we went to Karpacz for a holiday. It was very nice. We are getting civil wedding Feb 14 then she will go back at the end of Feb and wait. I will go there this summer for a holiday. I am just getting information at this point. If I understand correct She will not need her birth certificate until the interview. I am trying to learn Polish. If we have church wedding in Poland, what will I have to do? She says I need baptism certificate and I don't have. Will it be a problem? Which part of Poland are you from? She is from near Lodz (Aleksandrow)

Hey, Coppermouse, I am from Poland. Nice to see someone from my country beginning this journey as well. Where are you with your application? Just filing I-130 or gathering docs for NVC? Please fill out your timeline, it will help us all (and me especially ;-)

Good luck!

OK thanks for the info, I will do the timeline.

"Compleat Copy" it is a "Certificate" this is fine, and for USCIS it needs a "Certified" translation, this just means the person who does the translation simply "Certifies" that they are competent to do the translation, they note this at bottom of translation, signs, dates, and provides contact information just in case USCIS has a question.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_4881.html?cid=3652

You see why Profile details, and timeline should be done before asking questions, you will get better and more targeted answers.

Poland, thanks for spouse immigration

Does it need to be sworn (notarized)?

What country are we dealing with??

USCIS requires translations, however NVC does not. USCIS only requires birth certs for step children (CR-2, IR-2) and or US Citizen, to prove citizenship. US Citizen can use Nat Cert, or Passport to prove US Citizenship.

TIMELINE: http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=97941

Does it need to be long or short birth certificate? Does it need translated? Does it need to be sworn (notarized) translation?

Thanks for quick reply. One more question please. She asks about birth certificate long or short? and I think it should be certified? does it need translation and if yes should it be sworn translation like notarized?

"unknown"

It is not unusual this day in age to not know one's father

Good luck

My fiancee was adopted in Poland by a single woman and has no father, what should we put in the documents for fathers name?

Thanks, I am glad everything went well for her. I think in the end we will have a Church wedding in her country for her and her family before she moves here, and I will need this document which I have.

Thanks to everyone.

BTW I checked our courthouse and all she needs is her passport. since she has never been married before no document saying she is not married is needed. I hope this is correct.

It is a little bit rural area. Then the marriage certificate they issue is what I need for I-310, in addition to other documents? She can send other docs by courier in the future.

Ok, great news my girlfriend was approved for visa.

She is worried about being turned back after hearing horror stories, but I told her first visit to US on tourist visa will no problem. Correct?

She will be here in Feb. Thanks for all the help

I checked with courthouse, I have to call again tomorrow, she was not married before and I will see if this document is needed and if so send it ahead and not have on her person. We are not going to to bother with K1, just get married soon and she will return and wait out CR-1. I will go there this summer.

She have interview now with embassy Monday wish me luck and she will be here in Feb.

Thanks for all help

The parts of this I agree with is:

Check with your local courthouse,

and you don't need a SSN for her to get married.

Don't even know why you are talking about a K-1, unless you have not read the whole thread....

If she has never been married is she required this statement of never being married before? Is it from her country?

There is no waiting period and there are no requirements for foreigners to get married. There are no translations required either. All that's required is a Government-issued form of Identification, such as a passport and a statement that the people about to be married are "free" to marry which implies that they aren't married already.

I don't have answer for you but I am curious, you are from Poland. I just returned from Poland at Christmas with my girlfriend. We hadWigilia and went to Karpacz for holiday. She is going to apply for B2 visa to come see me. Did you have any difficulties or anything she should know? How long did it take? Thanks. Someone here will answer you soon.

Hi everyone!

I have a girlfriend in the United States. At the beginning of October I became a happy B2 visa (10 years, multiple entries) holder. I visited her once in December 2010 (2 weeks), once in January 2011 (3 days) and we're already planning my visit in February 2011 (for 8 days). In order to maintain a healthy long distance relationship, the plan is to see and meet each other often but for shorter periods of time. Now the question is - is it more than likely for me to be turned back home at some point? I know that I will be able to make time for short trips (for 3-4 days or so) even every single month. But then, I'm not sure if the frequency of my visits wouldn't be too high for the CBP officers. For various reasons, my girlfriend is not able to pay me a visit till July this year. So, to summarize, my "trip schedule" would look more or less like that:

Dec 2010: 14 days

Jan 2011: 3 days

Feb 2011: 8 days

Mar 2011: 3 days

Apr 2011: 11 days (holiday)

Jun 2011: 3-7 days

Jul 2011: 14 days

I'd like to know your opinions, is this way too much?

Best regards!

What are requirements here for marriage, I saw some web sites say we need social security numbers? IS it true. What do I need to do for civil marriage?

2 last questions:

Is there a waiting period for foreign national having civil marriage in US. I think I know she will need documents translated birth certificate and permission to marry (evidence she is not already married)

Could border patrol search her and discover these documents and turn her away?

If yes would it be better to courier these documents ahead of time?

Thanks

I understand, my fear is only that we do everything correct without problems. Thanks for all advice. Now we will see if she is granted tourist visa. Thank you.

Other people told me this method would be fraud, but I think they assume she was not going home to wait for CR1 and only stay here. I think all is clear. 9 months is long time, I can go visit her. Is 9 month maximum or typical?

If everything is legit, then you dont have to worry about her getting rejected - I just mentioned the scenario of fraud, coz you mentioned about u being worried about her being rejected multiple times in your thread.

I understand and am familiar with this, but she is a scientist I met while working there by chance in the lab where I was installing equipment not on internet or something. I have been there several times and met her family. She doesn't particularly want to come to US but is going to so we can be together. Thanks for advice.

As long as everything is legit, the Visas are not denied. There are few things you should be very clear about is, that the person you are trying to bring over is a legit.

I mean they not using you just a means to immigrate to US, there has been case where ppl have done that. Just for getting into the country they would target a USC.

Thanks, we do want to do anything to jeopardize our future.

So I think we know. I can visit her during these 9 months. If everything is legit they will not deny CR1 will they?

Don't bother with the K-3, it's for all purposes not obtainable now a days anymore.

As long as you follow the rules there will be no barring or deportation, no worries!

Just read up on the Guides (top of page) for the CR-1 and you'll be fine without a lawyer!

OK I think I understand all thank you very much. One last question. How much time will be saved if I apply for K3 in between? What are steps, Apply for K3 then get adjustment when she comes. How much more cost?

There is no chance of deportation or baring her from US under this way is there? I think it only is case i someone comes here and does not leave. Is it correct?

you can visit her in Poland - US immigration does not care about it as long as the Poland is ok.

For filing I-130 you need some reason, like some family ties or some relation - so that automatically will show she is your spouse. You can do it without a lawyer, you dont need a lawyer unless you got a really complicated case.

US immigration has all the records and they tie them well too, I know cases where they will have things you told them 10 yrs back on the record.

OK thanks for the information. I would not want her to make the journey here second time and be turned back.

I can visit her during this time, it is OK. But does immigration somehow automatically know we are married due to me filing the I-310?

Thanks for the information. And will she get spouse visa in embassy in Poland?

I think we can do all forms ourselves without lawyer, is it ok, is there any special considerations?

Technically she ccan travel on the multiple entry visa, chances are most likely she will be turned back at the port of entry.

So simply bite the bullet, you guys will have to stay apart for 8-9 months after marriage.

Any idea?

So lets say I do it this way and we marry and she returns to Poland and she has multiple entry visa. Can she return before the completion of CR1, maybe like 6-7 months later or will it be a problem? Can she be here and receive CR-1 or must be in Poland? Thanks for all info very much

I have seen people get multi entry B-2 visas, it is not uncommon.

Yes can marry then return to wait out CR-1

CR-1 9 months breaks down this way, File I-130 petition USCIS and it takes about 5 months to approve, then 2-3 months processing at NVC, then a month or 2 at the consulate.

K-1 is about the same time to process, 5 months to approve I-129F, 1 - 1.5 months at NVC, 1 - 2 months at consulate. K-1 may save you a month or two, HOWEVER costs nearly $1000 more than CR-1 in fees.

CR-1 gets Green-card and SSN shortly after arriving in the USA. K-1 needs to marry, then apply to adjust status, (4 - 8 months to process.

Because CR-1 gets GC and SSN shortly after arrival can apply for a driver's license. K-1 on the other hand tends to have problems getting a DL most states require SSN AND legal presence doc like green-card or EAD card which for K-1 can take months to get.

CR-1 can also apply for work immediately after entry to the USA, K-1 cannot an has to wait MONTHS to get EAD or green-card to be able to take a job.

Your plan Visit, marry, file I-130 for CR-1 visa and not overstay is a sound one.

We have spent much time together in Poland. We want to be together soon. Of course I understand not to overstay visa and she will return home after the 3 week visit. She must return and complete the contract of work etc...

Will they be likely to grant multiple entry visa? Can we marry on first visit and she returns before CR-1?

CR-1 takes 9 months?? really so long? What is difference in CR-1 and I-310 or is one needed for the other.

So how long for K1? 2-3 months? Can she work and get drivers license before green card.

We want to do everything properly, and not jeopardize our future. I was thinking visit on tourist, marry. file documents for I-310 or CR1 and she returns home and doesn't overstay visa and then returns.

Can you give me timeline of each way. Thanks for info, any advice?

Two answer your questions.

1) Can always apply for a tourist visa, but keep in mind, immigrant intent is always assumed and need to provide evidence that will not violate the terms of the visa and return home after the visit.

2) There is nothing stopping a marriage while visiting, the marriage while visiting is not the problem, it is using a visit visa with INTENT to immigrate that is. It is perfectly OK to marry while visiting then file an I-130 for a spouse visa, do not over stay the visit, and return home and waiti for the visa interview.

3) Spouse visas tend to take in the 9 - 12 month range for most places, green-card is issued once enter the USA on a spouse (CR-1) visa.

4) If you have not yet met in person either in USA or over in foreign country, you cannot file for a K-1 fiancee visa. As for better? It will cost nearly $1000 more in FEES. It may shave a month or so off processing. CR-1 Spouse has the benefit of an instant green-card, K-1 does not, and has to apply to adjust status and perhaps wait 4-5 months to get a green-card.