NEW ZEALANDers heading to the US and their USC spouses - POST HERE!

[Kim & Chris 0]

Saturday morning here. start of another day waiting for the approval and i am starting to freak out here. I have got conflicting advice about prior marriage certificates etc and really need some kind of clarification from you guys!

Do you have to show prior marriage certificates at the interview or any other time during the process?? I only have a divorce decree. I am pretty sure that when i got divorced, the marriage certificate had to be sent in, thus do not have it now. (it was years ago now so my memory is a little rusty)

some say i don't need it and some say i do. I am just so confused

And if i do have to have it, where do i go to get one? would they even still have it on record?

I just think that i am sitting pretty with all the evidence i will need for the interview and then a curveball is thrown and i go into panic mode.

hope you guys can help me answer this question please????

Item 13 of the I-129f checklist on VJ says basically that if you're using a different name other than what's shown on the relevant documents (birth cert), then you must supply a copy of the legal document that made the change - marriage cert, adoption decree or court order.

I'm still using my married name even though i was divorced some time ago, so I had to provide a copy of my marriage cert.

Even though I had a copy of my I-129f with me, they never asked for the cert at the interview.

If you feel you need to have a copy of it, you just request it from Births, Deaths and Marriages like you would a birth cert, provided you were married in NZ I guess. They look up the records and then just type you up a certificate. Can't remember how much it is, around $20 - $25 I think

I've got so much sorting of stuff to do, I really don't know where to start. I've been at it for the last few weeks on and off but just don't seem to be making much headway. 28 years of accumulated "stuff"

I've only got 13 more days till I leave so I really have to crank it up a gear or two....lol

It's a double edged sword........hard to leave your family, but when you've found "The One" ......you just have to go.

This time, two weeks from now I will have been back in the U.S. with Chris for about 5 hours

[kiwiana 2]

Item 13 of the I-129f checklist on VJ says basically that if you're using a different name other than what's shown on the relevant documents (birth cert), then you must supply a copy of the legal document that made the change - marriage cert, adoption decree or court order.

I'm still using my married name even though i was divorced some time ago, so I had to provide a copy of my marriage cert.

Even though I had a copy of my I-129f with me, they never asked for the cert at the interview.

If you feel you need to have a copy of it, you just request it from Births, Deaths and Marriages like you would a birth cert, provided you were married in NZ I guess. They look up the records and then just type you up a certificate. Can't remember how much it is, around $20 - $25 I think

I've got so much sorting of stuff to do, I really don't know where to start. I've been at it for the last few weeks on and off but just don't seem to be making much headway. 28 years of accumulated "stuff"

I've only got 13 more days till I leave so I really have to crank it up a gear or two....lol

It's a double edged sword........hard to leave your family, but when you've found "The One" ......you just have to go.

This time, two weeks from now I will have been back in the U.S. with Chris for about 5 hours

Thank You!! I went to their website and printed out the form, filled it out and it's all ready to post now with the cheque for $26. I still use my married name too even though have been divorced for years, so it looks like i will need it. I don't know how many times i read over the guides etc but i still seem to miss stuff somehow

It's wonderful that you only have two weeks to go!! As far as sorting stuff out goes, you don't realise how much one accumulates till the time comes to sort it all out!

It must be hard to decide what to put into the suitcases and what has to be left behind. And then there are big items like furniture and beds, washing machine etc to get rid of too. Lol!!

Hope the 2 weeks goes super fast for you and before you know it you will be back in your partners arms again!!

[KimandRuss 0]

dlopez...what a ride you had! In the end I guess all that matters is that you have been approved and are on your way home. Congratulations!

Ana, we're thinking since nobody is very clear yet on the details that we'll just send the AOS in without having it transcribed and without the TB test and just hope for the best. We're expecting RFE but will deal with it when it comes.

You are suppose to have originals/certified copy (raised seal) of marriage certificates for proof of legal name change as well as certified copy (raised seal) of divorce decree at interview. I have no idea if they looked at it or not but I did send all originals. Better to have then not I say.

Kim, how exciting this time must be for you.... i'm sure it will all come together for you and soon you'll be 'home' where you belong. And for the holidays...how nice.

Well, we're still procrastinating about AOS over here. It will be nice when Russell can actually work in his field and we're truly on our way to our new future. I've had it with the years of limbo!

Have a nice weekend my kiwi/US friends!

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

hi..just wanted to thank you all for all the info...just wondering if becasue my fiance was here on a 90 day waiver that would hold up the process..was so much eaier getting everything done with him here...but now i'm questioning if this was a wrong decision..was recieved 09/03/2008...but he left 11/01/2008.. any help would be great..i know its still early..thank

[KimandRuss 0]

Hi ivanna, your fiance's visit on the VWP will have no effect on him getting a visa ...unless he overstayed his 90 day limit, that is.

My now husband basically lived here in the U.S. for over a year using the VWP (leaving for a weekend every 90 days). I would not recommend this avenue...

I would recommend you read through this entire thread and prepare yourself best you can for the next steps. I know it all looks daunting right now but you'll get there.

good luck

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

Hi ivanna, your fiance's visit on the VWP will have no effect on him getting a visa ...unless he overstayed his 90 day limit, that is.

My now husband basically lived here in the U.S. for over a year using the VWP (leaving for a weekend every 90 days). I would not recommend this avenue...

I would recommend you read through this entire thread and prepare yourself best you can for the next steps. I know it all looks daunting right now but you'll get there.

good luck

thank you for your reply...lol... we've done it ..3x now..but our funds have run out..and am so sad beyond belief...and as soon as we get the funds together we will try again...but i'm concerned that if we have a visa processing will he be stopped...why was your fiance returned? i hoid my breath every time he makes a trip..hoping he wont be turned away...what would you suggest?...would it be better if he just stayed home? if he was refused will it hurt our case? i have so many questons...lol...our visa had been processing for 2 1/2 monthts...i feel like i'm not going to make it without him...and knowing i wont hear anything for another 1-2 mo ..thank you

[KimandRuss 0]

Russell and I have known each other for 11 years. Because I was going through a long drawn out divorce we had to do what we had to in order to be together. This included me moving myself and my children to AUS/NZ (where he was working) for some time in 2006 and then Russell quit his job to take his chances with the VWP for as long as he could. We really weren't aware there was anything wrong with doing that (taking advantage of it) as we just wanted to be together and he did leave the Country every 3 months as required.

Anyway, we travelled to another Country for a weekend every 3 months for over a year and a half. First back to NZ, then London, then Iceland, then eventually Dublin, where he was 'allowed to withdraw his petition to enter the US'. We really pushed our luck. It was then I found VJ.

Starting in January 2009 you will need to register with the Embassy before travelling. I suppose this is an effort to stop things like this from happening. Although you will not need a 'visa' per'se, you will need to be approved for travel. You can read more about ESTA here.

Whether he gets into the Country for a visit will depend much on that and then, I imagine, on the POE officer. Being approved for travel should make people feel a little more confident about travelling.

They will only know about your K-1 if you tell them. It is not something that is routinely in their system just by filing. Being denied entry will have no bearing on his visa as long as no laws were broken and there were no overstays.

Because Russell was turned away in Sept of 07, and because we have spent upwards of $75,000 on travelling over the last few years, we were also living apart for an entire year. I work for myself but I have children and did not want to upset their routine by moving to NZ to wait out the process. Anyway, we had one 3 week visit in January (courtesy of my mother who travelled with me to meet Russell's family) the entire year. It took until April for my divorce to be final and until September to get the visa in hand. Russell arrived exactaly one year after he got 'das boot!

I wont deny that it was hell but we stayed positive, stayed in contact as much as possible and educated ourselves to the process and how to go about it the right way...the first time..so as not to delay our being together for good any longer. I'm happy to say we've been married one month now and are very happy.

It is a long road and the separation is hell... but it is a great test of your relationship and a super way to help build a lasting foundation that will help you not to take each other for granted as so many couples do. Spend this time talking as much as you can and learning all you can about how to get him here for good. Reading through this entire thread will help you immensley.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

Edited November 17, 2008 by KimandRuss

[ivannnaloveskiwi 0]

thank you kim for answering my questions..really makes me feel better...one more....lol...on a f1 visa to you have to show proof of income? i'm worried i dont make enough and could this be held against me? or is it random..do they pick and choose if they feel you dont make enough?

[kiwiana 2]

OMG!! i just checked website and it says i was touched on 17th nov. I checked online status and it says i am approved!! it says a notice was sent out on 17th Nov!!!

OMG! i can't believe this!!! i just can't think straight at all. I am just sooo happy, i am crying!!!

cdneh, michelleS and others.. PLEASE check USCIS and see if you have any changes!!! they may have just updated the site as i had just checked!!

I should be thinking about the next stage now but my mind is just still in shock that i have been approved!!

and my police certificate from australia arrived today too!!! yay!!!!!

[Kim & Chris 0]

OMG!! i just checked website and it says i was touched on 17th nov. I checked online status and it says i am approved!! it says a notice was sent out on 17th Nov!!!

OMG! i can't believe this!!! i just can't think straight at all. I am just sooo happy, i am crying!!!

cdneh, michelleS and others.. PLEASE check USCIS and see if you have any changes!!! they may have just updated the site as i had just checked!!

I should be thinking about the next stage now but my mind is just still in shock that i have been approved!!

and my police certificate from australia arrived today too!!! yay!!!!!

Congratulations Ana.....you're nearly there....isn't it such a relief to have something happening at last..

Things will move quickly now....hang on for the ride....lol

[cdneh 3,112]

OMG!! i just checked website and it says i was touched on 17th nov. I checked online status and it says i am approved!! it says a notice was sent out on 17th Nov!!!

OMG! i can't believe this!!! i just can't think straight at all. I am just sooo happy, i am crying!!!

cdneh, michelleS and others.. PLEASE check USCIS and see if you have any changes!!! they may have just updated the site as i had just checked!!

I should be thinking about the next stage now but my mind is just still in shock that i have been approved!!

and my police certificate from australia arrived today too!!! yay!!!!!

I just checked. Still the same as it has been all along.

[cdneh 3,112]

To add insult to injury...I checked our timeline..an hour ago it read November 22 to December 3.

Now it reads November 27 to December 10.

[kiwiana 2]

Thanks kim&chris! I am still finding it hard to believe that it has happened! I am hoping that the uscis website hasnt made an error and tomorrow there will be a message up there for me with oops! we made a mistake!! lol!

cdneh: I can just feel it in my bones that you guys are gonna get approved VERY soon! what i found tonight when i logged in on the uscis site is that when i clicked onto my receipt number (to see why the date had changed (had a touch) nothing would happen. i clicked furiously away at the receipt number and nada!!! so i went back to the log in page and clicked onto 'case status search' and then typed in my receipt number and then it came up that it had been approved.

[cdneh 3,112]

Thanks kim&chris! I am still finding it hard to believe that it has happened! I am hoping that the uscis website hasnt made an error and tomorrow there will be a message up there for me with oops! we made a mistake!! lol!

cdneh: I can just feel it in my bones that you guys are gonna get approved VERY soon! what i found tonight when i logged in on the uscis site is that when i clicked onto my receipt number (to see why the date had changed (had a touch) nothing would happen. i clicked furiously away at the receipt number and nada!!! so i went back to the log in page and clicked onto 'case status search' and then typed in my receipt number and then it came up that it had been approved.

That's how I've been checking since the website is not working well. Nothing yet for us.

[KimandRuss 0]

thank you kim for answering my questions..really makes me feel better...one more....lol...on a f1 visa to you have to show proof of income? i'm worried i dont make enough and could this be held against me? or is it random..do they pick and choose if they feel you dont make enough?

Who is on an F1 visa? And will who hold it against you? If you mean in order to travel I wouldn't think it would matter so much as I can't see them expecting a student to be making too much anyway. If you're talking about the Consulate then the beneficiaries income is irrelevent.

OMG!! i just checked website and it says i was touched on 17th nov. I checked online status and it says i am approved!! it says a notice was sent out on 17th Nov!!!

OMG! i can't believe this!!! i just can't think straight at all. I am just sooo happy, i am crying!!!

cdneh, michelleS and others.. PLEASE check USCIS and see if you have any changes!!! they may have just updated the site as i had just checked!!

I should be thinking about the next stage now but my mind is just still in shock that i have been approved!!

and my police certificate from australia arrived today too!!! yay!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Ana!!! I will never in my life forget that moment... just gets better from here!

cdneh, it's coming sweetheart. I know this is so difficult but stay strong! The timelines you see here on VJ are really irrelevant at this point... your date is going to move with all the new members joining and dependant on who updates and who does not. It really doesn't mean a whole lot. I know it's harder than every to keep perspective during this stage but we're here to remind you that you're almost on your way!