Ghana - the process in Ghana for K1

[gf97 1]

Even though I am still at Step 1: NOA 1 I was thinking about the following:

1. How hard is it to get a birth certificate in Ghana—u know Ghana everything is slow—should I tell me guy now to go get a copy. Where do people go to get birth certificates in Ghana?

2. Is there like one police station in Accra Ghana that people go to for their police records? My guy is in Accra so should he go get it now or wait until he is closer—he should probably wait until he is closer right, so that they wont say he got it to early—how much is police report. Does he need a card that comes in the packet before he can go requesting it?

3. This is the most important question:

3A. Is it TRUe that when the guy interviews in Ghana that he needs to have the original documents—like does he need the original of my plane itineraries, my original credit card statement? I don’t think this is true, but I did see it on the Vj site today so I thought Id ask you.

I know when the guy interviews, he should have a copy of the ORIGINAL i-129 F packet you sent to USCIS, and a new letter of marriage to intent.. but does he really need ORIGINAL of stuff—isnt that impossible?? So what, should I sign the G-325 again before he goes to the interview,etc??

3B.When your person in Ghana interviews, does the American have to be there? I don’t want to go because then it gives them more room to find errors,etc. I don’t think its necessary to go—some Us citizrns have gone, and some have not..What is your though on that?

3C. I sent my I-129 F in March. I don’t plan on going back to Ghana until his visa is approved… is that smart? Do u think I should go at least one more time so we can have more pictures for the whole “ongoing relationship thing??

So basically, when my guy goes to the embassy, he will need the forms they requested PLUS the copy of the original I-129 F packet I sent PLUS a folder that contains more evidence of ongoing relationship from March to the visa interview.

Sorry if i put this in the wrong place-- i cant seem to see the appropriate way to post--can i post questions in the my country's portal???

[reeses16 8]

If you don't get enough responses to your post, re-post in the Sub-Saharan Africa forum.

1. Your fiance should know where to go to get the birth certificate. No harm in getting that now, since birth certificates do not expire.

2. Not sure what is required to request the police report. But I would wait until closer to the interview (once you actually have a date). I don't remember how long they are valid, but I do know that police reports expire after a few months.

3A. Technically he doesn't NEED to have originals. However, while USCIS/consulate will accept copies they do have the right to ask to see the original. If your fiance has the originals with him at the interview he can produce them on the spot saving time and increasing chances of visa approval. It is not impossible to send originals. I'm sure when you met etc. you didn't know what was required in terms of applying for the K1, just keep (and copy) originals from this point on.

3B. The USC is not required to be at the interview. In fact some countries do not allow the USC to attend. I'm not sure about Ghana. In general, attending the interview if possible is a good thing, its not used against you.

3C. Its a judgment call. If your first meeting/visit was 3 days....maybe. If you were there a few months, it probably wouldn't matter. The most important thing is to show a continuing relationship. Pictures are good for proof of having met, and over time (with other evidence) they show an ongoing relationship. Between visits you need to have proof of phone calls (a bill showing the number you called), e-mails, letters etc.

Best of luck!

Edited April 20, 2009 by reeses16

[Zee Bee 61]

Even though I am still at Step 1: NOA 1 I was thinking about the following:

1. How hard is it to get a birth certificate in Ghana—u know Ghana everything is slow—should I tell me guy now to go get a copy. Where do people go to get birth certificates in Ghana? It is not hard to get a birth certificate. Your fiance should know where to get one.

2. Is there like one police station in Accra Ghana that people go to for their police records? My guy is in Accra so should he go get it now or wait until he is closer—he should probably wait until he is closer right, so that they wont say he got it to early—how much is police report. Does he need a card that comes in the packet before he can go requesting it? The police certificate is only valid for 3 months (someone correct me if I am wrong) so he should wait to have the interview date before getting it. It takes about a week. He will need to go to the CID headquarters: http://64.226.23.153/cid/clearance_certificate.htm

3. This is the most important question:

3A. Is it TRUe that when the guy interviews in Ghana that he needs to have the original documents—like does he need the original of my plane itineraries, my original credit card statement? I don't think this is true, but I did see it on the Vj site today so I thought Id ask you.

I know when the guy interviews, he should have a copy of the ORIGINAL i-129 F packet you sent to USCIS, and a new letter of marriage to intent.. but does he really need ORIGINAL of stuff—isnt that impossible?? So what, should I sign the G-325 again before he goes to the interview,etc?? He needs to have originals of his birth certificate and any documents that he needs to sign need to have the original signature. The pictures should be the actual pictures, not copies. Copies of things like itineraries and e-mails are OK. If you present letters/cards as evidence, you should have the original envelopes with postmarks on them. The copy of the I-129F petition is for his own information so that he can see what you sent. It is not required at the interview. The G-325A is not needed at the interview.

3B.When your person in Ghana interviews, does the American have to be there? I don't want to go because then it gives them more room to find errors,etc. I don't think its necessary to go—some Us citizrns have gone, and some have not..What is your though on that? It is not required that the USC be at the interview.

3C. I sent my I-129 F in March. I don't plan on going back to Ghana until his visa is approved… is that smart? Do u think I should go at least one more time so we can have more pictures for the whole "ongoing relationship thing?? You should go as many times as you can. Visits are the best proof of relationship. We had one visit between NOA1 and NOA2.

So basically, when my guy goes to the embassy, he will need the forms they requested PLUS the copy of the original I-129 F packet I sent PLUS a folder that contains more evidence of ongoing relationship from March to the visa interview. The I-129F petition is not needed at the interview.

Sorry if i put this in the wrong place-- i cant seem to see the appropriate way to post--can i post questions in the my country's portal???

[reeses16 8]

So basically, when my guy goes to the embassy, he will need the forms they requested PLUS the copy of the original I-129 F packet I sent PLUS a folder that contains more evidence of ongoing relationship from March to the visa interview.

My hubby took all of that with him (forms for his interview, original I-129F, and more proof of ongoing relationship). We both thought it was better to be over prepared than under prepared.