duplicate of I-129f package

[Jl_n_JL 0]

I have a question for recent interviewees. I have a nearly an exact copy of the I-129f packet I sent to the USCIS ready to send to my Fiancee. In addition to that, I'm trying to send her proof of meeting, proof of on going relationship. I have found I'm am sending alot of the same stuff, that is in the packet.

What does the fiancee do with the duplicate packet? The embassy is supposed to have the original?

Is the fiancee supposed to take the duplicate packet with him/her to the interview?

I've heard that there is a small window to place your information through. My packet is very thick. Anyone know if that is true?

Has anyone been asked to provide the information from the duplicate packet?

Thank you

[~Johnny~ 27]

I haven't read of anyone being asked for it during interview. But I suppose it might be nice to have, maybe overkill since they are supposed to already have it their hands when they interview you. More important to have all originals of copies supplied for 129F (receipts, birth certificate, boarding passes and such).

How long ahead did you have to get your interview date? Or did you get you interview date set yet? I have read that USEM Manila is scheduling them 40+ days ahead.

Edited March 10, 2010 by ~Johnny~

[Calypso 464]

Of course, nobody has ever been asked to present to the Consulate the I-129F copy (at least I haven't read or heard anything like that). The duplicate is for your fiancee to study. It's more or less that way. Each answer coming from the applicant will be validated by the CO from your files. He/she will check whether your fiancee's answers correspond to the documents and forms.

[Calypso 464]

I haven't read of anyone being asked for it during interview. But I suppose it might be nice to have, maybe overkill since they are supposed to already have it their hands when they interview you. More important to have all originals of copies supplied for 129F (receipts, birth certificate, boarding passes and such).

How long ahead did you have to get your interview date? Or did you get you interview date set yet? I have read that USEM Manila is scheduling them 40+ days ahead.

Not true unless that's the new protocol.

I gave the call center a ring on October 8 last year. The girl asked if I already had my medical exam. I said no. She gave me October 27 for my interview. I negotiated by saying that my man and I were intending to attend his sister's wedding in NY on October 24 so she should let me have an earlier interview date. She said, "All right. Since you will still have your medical exam, I'll schedule your interview on October 20."

Yes, I got it that way. I took the medical exam exactly seven days before my interview.

[~Johnny~ 27]

Not true unless that's the new protocol.

I gave the call center a ring on October 8 last year. The girl asked if I already had my medical exam. I said no. She gave me October 27 for my interview. I negotiated by saying that my man and I were intending to attend his sister's wedding in NY on October 24 so she should let me have an earlier interview date. She said, "All right. Since you will still have your medical exam, I'll schedule your interview on October 20."

Yes, I got it that way. I took the medical exam exactly seven days before my interview.

Thank you!! You just made my day...well USCIS also helped with their earlier msg too... I was going by the the Manila guide on VJ (which is very dated) that has a 43 day wait for interviews.

Edited March 11, 2010 by ~Johnny~

[Calypso 464]

Thank you!! You just made my day...well USCIS also helped with their earlier msg too... I was going by the the Manila guide on VJ (which is very dated) that has a 43 day wait for interviews.

Don't be condescending when you call. Speak politely but do not make them feel like they are gods. Have your way, too.

You said that you are going to attend Wilma's interview. Be mindful. The AOS is also quite expensive. You are next in line.

[~Johnny~ 27]

Don't be condescending when you call. Speak politely but do not make them feel like they are gods. Have your way, too.

You said that you are going to attend Wilma's interview. Be mindful. The AOS is also quite expensive. You are next in line.

So, what's the charge for all these tips??

Yeah, I planned on being there for Wilma's interview, and we are having a Vegas wedding (her aunt lives there and she's hosting the wedding...but she wants an Elvis wedding...ohhh no..another story..nevermind). Her mom is also going with her to Manila for St Lukes... but yeap..you're right...those dollars add up fast! Then the AOS is another $1,010 ....and SoCal is not the cheapest place on earth to live. Wilma keeps begging me not to be there for the interveiw coz she wants to save money for the rest of our journey....so this part may still change soon.

[Jl_n_JL 0]

I haven't read of anyone being asked for it during interview. But I suppose it might be nice to have, maybe overkill since they are supposed to already have it their hands when they interview you. More important to have all originals of copies supplied for 129F (receipts, birth certificate, boarding passes and such).

How long ahead did you have to get your interview date? Or did you get you interview date set yet? I have read that USEM Manila is scheduling them 40+ days ahead.

No interview yet, I called a moment ago and USEM received electronic confirmation, but not documents yet.

Of course, nobody has ever been asked to present to the Consulate the I-129F copy (at least I haven't read or heard anything like that). The duplicate is for your fiancee to study. It's more or less that way. Each answer coming from the applicant will be validated by the CO from your files. He/she will check whether your fiancee's answers correspond to the documents and forms.

I see, that makes sense. I have been previously married and divorced. I didnt want to print out and send her two copies of my divorce decree. Thank you.

[Calypso 464]

So, what's the charge for all these tips??

Yeah, I planned on being there for Wilma's interview, and we are having a Vegas wedding (her aunt lives there and she's hosting the wedding...but she wants an Elvis wedding...ohhh no..another story..nevermind). Her mom is also going with her to Manila for St Lukes... but yeap..you're right...those dollars add up fast! Then the AOS is another $1,010 ....and SoCal is not the cheapest place on earth to live. Wilma keeps begging me not to be there for the interveiw coz she wants to save money for the rest of our journey....so this part may still change soon.

I used to hang out here in the upper forums when I was new at VJ but I found the Off Topic less redundant and livelier so I have been frequenting there. I've just returned visiting the PH sub-forum and the upper forums recently.

If your Wilma wants to fly to her POE alone, allow her. I did the same and it was fun. My man had no time to travel only a few days after his sister's wedding so he just picked me up from LAX.

I love California. When I passed my interview, I told Arbind that the treat I wanted was a trip to San Diego Zoo. Request granted last year.

Really, all the best for the rest of your K1.

[Calypso 464]

I see, that makes sense. I have been previously married and divorced. I didnt want to print out and send her two copies of my divorce decree. Thank you.

The CO may ask anything he or she likes and there is a huge possibility that the questions will also run around your divorce or how many kids you had, how long the marriage was, etc.

Edited March 11, 2010 by Calypso

[Bernie C 24]

Its a very good idea to prepare 3 complete copies.

1 goes to USCIS as the petition

2 is kept with you

3 goes to your honey

Its not unheard of for things to get lost in this process. The USCIS, NVC and consulates process mounds and mounds of petitions and visas. It would be much better to have copies of things than to have to go back and recreate them in the event of an "oops".

It is a good resource for the both of you also to reference later when filling out other documents. Heck - we just went to the courthouse yesterday to apply for our marriage liscence here in the US and I printed a copy I had saved of our G325A's to give to the clerk. It has places of birth, names, dates - lots of useful info that is hard to remember (for me anyway haha)

Also, the Original Birth Certificates are requrested to be provided at the interview and things like original certified copies of divorce decrees if you have any.

We also made a complete duplicate package of everything for packet 3 and 4 and proofs of relationship, pictures, emails, etc... Its a lot of paper you just never know what can happen so its best to have it.

Good Luck on your journey!

[Jl_n_JL 0]

Also, the Original Birth Certificates are requrested to be provided at the interview and things like original certified copies of divorce decrees if you have any.

Thank you. This is another thing I'm confused about. Original Birth Certificates are requrested to be provided at the interview and things like original certified copies of divorce decrees. I the USC need to send originals of these, copies not allowed? Certified?

Also while I'm thinking about it, do I need to send copy of my Passport?

Thanks.

Edited March 11, 2010 by Jl_n_JL

[katie & sifa 25]

Your fiancee will need an original birth certificate, and I assume they will want original divorce decrees (didn't have that, so someone else may be better suited to answer.) They didn't ask for my birth certificate or passport (I am the USC but accompanied my fiance to his interview.) I had my birth certificate with me and of course my passport, but they didn't need them.

In response to your original question, I took a duplicate copy of our original petition with us to the interview. It came in handy once - some of our photos were only in the original, so we used those along with the ones I had brought specifically for the interview when the CO asked for pictures of the 2 of us together. Plus as others have said it's good for your fiancee to study it.

[~Johnny~ 27]

First thing...just FYI...NEVER mail original certified versions of certificates, documents and/or decrees to USCIS. You may not ever get them back. They tell you in the instructions that copies are fine, but should be backed up by originals at the interview.

OK....you should make sure that your fiance(e) has these original documents at the interview in case the CO requests to see the originals. Sometimes they ask, sometimes they don't. But better to be safe than to have to rescedule an interview.

I sent a copy of my passport, ALL pages, and I sent a copy of my birth certificate. I just wanted to make sure there were no doubts.

Good luck!

[Jl_n_JL 0]

Thank to all for replying. I'm going to send the package and the duplicates of the duplicates. lol. I'm going to send my Original birth Certificate and divorce decree. I really hate to lose those if they get lost during the process. I suppose they are replaceable here if they do get lost.

It still bothers me to have to send. If the USCIS doesn't require to see originals, and they took months to do background checks, and come to an approval, then why should the USEM, need to see originals. Oh well..