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

[cdneh 3,112]

Hey guys! Been busy lately and have not had much time to stop in here.

Genna's interview is this week. I'm nervous as all hell. Is there ANYTHING we should be doing last minute? Does anyone in the NZ process get rejected at the interview??? That would just kill us. I'm a severe worrier.. and this last minute wait is killing me. We have all the forms they asked for... her medical and Police thing are in... I make enuff money for the Affidavit...

Anything anyone can give would help... almost there... deep breaths...

On the whole, things seem to go quite smoothly, although we did get a denial there this week (hugs) Ivannna

If you have all your paperwork in order, and it seems that you do, it should go well. I found them to be helpful, and not at all intimidating. More of a conversation than an inquistion.

The first person she speaks to will ask for some of the papers, so perhaps knowing just where to find what in the things she brings would be good. I had mine in an accordian folder, tabbed. The second person will go through the case and ask for things as she comes to the items she needs to see.

Be sure to have Genna get a courier bag, a large one, so they can send her entry paperwork back. And make a note of the number...so she can track it.

There are some entires you can read up on Embassy reviews ..up at the top right of this page.

I wish you all the best ..and let us know how it went!

[amaciar 0]

Hi Ivanna. I am not sure if you are looking for a lawyer but we consulted one in Auckland and she was very helpful. Her name is Barbaara J Johnson and her auckland number is 64 9 915 0891. She ended up telling us our case was easy and told us what we needed to do and who to contact. Plus she called the US embassy for us and had them call us back which i thought was good of her since she didn't make any money off of us.

Good luck! I hope if you cantact her she can help you. I am sure she can.

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

Can someone please for the love of god tell us EXACTLY what this Divorce Decree that they ask for is???

None of the paperwork form the Divorce is actually titled DECREE. My lawyer consultant told me that the decree is the "Judgement." so this is what I sent to Genna. Is this correct???

After seeing the rejection becuz of divorce papers, I am completely freaking.

Also, should Genna take a pre-paid envelope with her or something for them to mail her Visa and Passport? Or is this the courier bag you are talking about?

If someone could PLEASE give me a detailed description of the paperwork they used for the Divorce for the interview, it would help immensely!

[Dakine 26]

I don't know why anyone would want to give up New Zealand and move to the US??

I'll take NZ in a heartbeat over the US.

To old and they won't take me!

[cdneh 3,112]

Can someone please for the love of god tell us EXACTLY what this Divorce Decree that they ask for is???

None of the paperwork form the Divorce is actually titled DECREE. My lawyer consultant told me that the decree is the "Judgement." so this is what I sent to Genna. Is this correct???

After seeing the rejection becuz of divorce papers, I am completely freaking.

Also, should Genna take a pre-paid envelope with her or something for them to mail her Visa and Passport? Or is this the courier bag you are talking about?

If someone could PLEASE give me a detailed description of the paperwork they used for the Divorce for the interview, it would help immensely!

Yes, she does need a pre-paid courier bag. Get a legal size one (big) Write down the number from it so you can track it.

My papers for my divorce didn't say DECREE anywhere. Mine said judgement on it. I was also divorced in 1970's and that one says certificate.

[KimandRuss 0]

Dave, divorce laws are dependant on the State in which you were divorced. Your lawyer most likely gave you the correct document for your State.

In MA, for example, you have to wait 120 days after you go to court to get your 'decree of absolute'... you are not considered 'divorced' and 'free to marry' until that time. *insert grumble here* In some States you are divorced as soon as you are before the judge and in some you must wait even longer before being considered 'free to marry'. Some documents to prove that are one or two pages and some (like in some counties in TX) are dozens of pages long! Just like the immigration process... difficult!

Normally, if the paperwork is not right you will know that from the USCIS... not the Embassy. I'm not sure what happened with Ivanna.

Edited March 2, 2009 by KimandRuss

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

Can someone please for the love of god tell us EXACTLY what this Divorce Decree that they ask for is???

None of the paperwork form the Divorce is actually titled DECREE. My lawyer consultant told me that the decree is the "Judgement." so this is what I sent to Genna. Is this correct???

After seeing the rejection becuz of divorce papers, I am completely freaking.

Also, should Genna take a pre-paid envelope with her or something for them to mail her Visa and Passport? Or is this the courier bag you are talking about?

If someone could PLEASE give me a detailed description of the paperwork they used for the Divorce for the interview, it would help immensely!

Yes, she does need a pre-paid courier bag. Get a legal size one (big) Write down the number from it so you can track it.

My papers for my divorce didn't say DECREE anywhere. Mine said judgement on it. I was also divorced in 1970's and that one says certificate.

The one I sent to Genna says "Judgement" also. It has the Judges name "Stamp" on it, and the court certified stamps and signatures. It doesnt contain my Ex-Wifes or mine signatures.

By the way, thank you so much for the quick reply =)

Kim and Russ, I noticed your reply after this =P

I wrote to the Consulate last week to see if there was any last minute stuff... and they asked that Genna bring the "original Divorce Decree, not a copy"... it was a copy that I sent in wit hthe original K-1 application.

Edited March 2, 2009 by Dave_n_Genna

[KimandRuss 0]

I don't know why anyone would want to give up New Zealand and move to the US??

I'll take NZ in a heartbeat over the US.

To old and they won't take me!

Haole, that's Australia that doesn't want you 'old' men! NZ doesn't like fat people!

Just for the record... I agree with you, most beautiful place i've ever been, and hope to live in NZ at least part time in the future. Lots of people leave NZ anyway for job opportunities and such. Family is why Russell moved to me in the States. I do have children from a previous marriage and wouldn't think to take them that far away from their father. My family immigrated from Sicily in the early 1900's, to where I am now and helped build the city we live in. We are surrounded by lots and lots of family and very close friends...people i've had to count on many times in my life and people with whom we cherrish our time with. Some things... well, they're just worth it.

[kiwiana 2]

I don't know why anyone would want to give up New Zealand and move to the US??

I'll take NZ in a heartbeat over the US.

To old and they won't take me!

The things we do for love!!

[KimandRuss 0]

Dave, a copy is all that is requested by the uscis. An 'original' is simply one with a raised stamp or seal. Do you have that?

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

Dave, a copy is all that is requested by the uscis. An 'original' is simply one with a raised stamp or seal. Do you have that?

I just called Genna, and the paper I sent her does indeed have a raised Seal on it. Unfortunately the Judge "Stamped" his name on it rather than take the time to sign it, but I assume that will have to do.

[kiwiana 2]

Can someone please for the love of god tell us EXACTLY what this Divorce Decree that they ask for is???

None of the paperwork form the Divorce is actually titled DECREE. My lawyer consultant told me that the decree is the "Judgement." so this is what I sent to Genna. Is this correct???

After seeing the rejection becuz of divorce papers, I am completely freaking.

Also, should Genna take a pre-paid envelope with her or something for them to mail her Visa and Passport? Or is this the courier bag you are talking about?

If someone could PLEASE give me a detailed description of the paperwork they used for the Divorce for the interview, it would help immensely!

yes you have to take original divorce certificate (i'm assuming the one you sent in 1-129f package was just a photocopy of it, so the one you photocopied from is shown at interview)

it sounds like you are pretty much set. Genna can give them either a self addressed large (foolscap/legal size) courier pack envelope or a registered envelope. There is a post shop near the embassy, if she happens to forget before her interview.

Good luck! let us know how you get on!!

[Dave_n_Genna 0]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I am probably freaking out over nothing again.

I apologize, and thanks again for all the quick advice. =)

This place really is a lifesaver.

[cdneh 3,112]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I am probably freaking out over nothing again.

I apologize, and thanks again for all the quick advice. =)

This place really is a lifesaver.

It's a great place is VJ ...where would any of us be without it

I understand the freaking out over nothing...been there...done that...happy to loan out my T-shirt

It's lovely here I agree. But the one thing they haven't got is my SO, and he has grandchildren it would break his heart to leave. Also I am not from NZ. ..

CDN= canadian

eh= eh???

[kiwiana 2]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I am probably freaking out over nothing again.

I apologize, and thanks again for all the quick advice. =)

This place really is a lifesaver.

Yes i don't know where i would be without vj and the wonderful people on it! I think you and I would tie for 1st place as the biggest worriers!!