Proof of U.S. Citizenship/Proof of Marriage

[CitizenJ 5]

Hi, there a couple of things on the I-130 that I find kind of ambiguous. I'd really appreciate if anyone could help clear things up for me because I'm not sure who to ask.

I'm not 100% sure weather all 5 things listed or just 1 of the 5 things listed are necessary to provide. After number 4, I see it says "or" so I'm guessing this implies it's necessary to provide documents 1-3 and 4 or 5. I was not born in the U.S. so I guess I would have to provide documents 2-3 and 4 or 5. Is all of this correct? I'm not very sure and am nervous about not having everything I should have.

I also want to ensure that I'm reading this part of the instructions correctly. After E, F, G, H, and I, I see it says "or" so again I'm guessing that this implies it's necessary to provide documents A-D and one of E-I. Is this correct?

Like I said, I'd really appreciate if anyone could help clear up any of this stuff for me. I just want to make sure I do everything correctly. Thanks a lot.

Edited August 15, 2014 by CitizenJ

[Ryan H 3,810]

Hi, there a couple of things on the I-130 that I find kind of ambiguous. I'd really appreciate if anyone could help clear things up for me because I'm not sure who to ask.

I'm not 100% sure weather all 5 things listed or just 1 of the 5 things listed are necessary to provide. After number 4, I see it says "or" so I'm guessing this implies it's necessary to provide documents 1-3 and 4 or 5. I was not born in the U.S. so I guess I would have to provide documents 2-3 and 4 or 5. Is all of this correct? I'm not very sure and am nervous about not having everything I should have.

Only need 1.

I also want to ensure that I'm reading this part of the instructions correctly. After E, F, G, H, and I, I see it says "or" so again I'm guessing that this implies it's necessary to provide documents A-D and one of E-I. Is this correct?

A,C, and D are required; B is only required if it's applicable. Only need one of E-I, most couples will not have E-H so the focus is usually on items covered under I. If you have E-H, then throw it in if you wise, otherwise, don't worry about such items.

[Penguin_ie 5,992]

US citizenship: you just need one of those.

Marriage: You are correct. However, many people "front load", ie provide all or as much of the proof of bonafide marriage as they can.

[CitizenJ 5]

Thanks a lot guys. Ya, I saw the note in the "Proving Family Relationship" section that said "you should submit one or more of the following" so I was pretty confident about that one - just wanted to make sure. I was mainly just curious about the "Proof of U.S. Citizenship" section. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

Only need one of E-I, most couples will not have E-H so the focus is usually on items covered under I. If you have E-H, then throw it in if you wise, otherwise, don't worry about such items.

I see. Thanks. What's the minimum number of affidavits you think it'd be acceptable to present to the USCIS?

Marriage: many people "front load", ie provide all or as much of the proof of bonafide marriage as they can.

I'm assuming that the people who "front load" do so because it makes the entire application proccess go smoother. Is this correct?

[Penguin_ie 5,992]

It can do, yes. In some consulates, they don;t really look at evidence you bring to interview.

[Ryan H 3,810]

I see. Thanks. What's the minimum number of affidavits you think it'd be acceptable to present to the USCIS?

None, they're not required and carry little to zero weight in the overall review of a file. Focus on evidence of time spent together in-person.

[CitizenJ 5]

None, they're not required and carry little to zero weight in the overall review of a file. Focus on evidence of time spent together in-person.

I do not have items E-H though. All my wife and I have is pictures but it looks like that won't suffice for the petition process. I'm actually kind of worried about the later stages of this visa process. My wife and I don't even have any evidence of online chats.

[Ryan H 3,810]

I do not have items E-H though. All my wife and I have is pictures but it looks like that won't suffice for the petition process. I'm actually kind of worried about the later stages of this visa process. My wife and I don't even have any evidence of online chats.

How many trips have you taken together? How many times have you visited? Do you have boarding passes, passport entry and exit stamps? Receipts? Think outside the box. The only thing USCIS truly requires from you is a copy of the marriage certificate, anything else is evidence to support your case, you have what you have and don't have what you don't have.

[awaywego 28]

This thread has many ideas and some discussion: link. It might be of help to you.

As previously suggested, think about how you might show that you are acting as spouses do. You might not have everything on the list, but that is not surprising for a couple that has never lived in the same country. Think about what you might have to show time spent together (in person and communicating), commingling of lives, planning for the future, etc.

[CitizenJ 5]

How many trips have you taken together? How many times have you visited? Do you have boarding passes, passport entry and exit stamps? Receipts? Think outside the box. The only thing USCIS truly requires from you is a copy of the marriage certificate, anything else is evidence to support your case, you have what you have and don't have what you don't have.

I see. Those are some good suggestions. I didn't even think about passport stamps. Thanks.

This thread has many ideas and some discussion: link. It might be of help to you.

As previously suggested, think about how you might show that you are acting as spouses do. You might not have everything on the list, but that is not surprising for a couple that has never lived in the same country. Think about what you might have to show time spent together (in person and communicating), commingling of lives, planning for the future, etc.

Will check out the link. Thanks.

Edited August 21, 2014 by CitizenJ