Previous Marriage?

[shikarnov 7]

Hi All,

I'm going through my checklist of things to get to Ira, and #7 on the embassy website is "Evidence of termination of prior marriage(s) (if applicable), original, photocopy and translation into English. "

My assumption is that they want to know that Ira is free to marry (which she is, since she's never been married), but I wonder if they're going to need my own divorce papers?

Thanks,

Z

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Yes, they need the papers for both of you.

good luck ,L.

[mox 298]

Hi All,

I'm going through my checklist of things to get to Ira, and #7 on the embassy website is "Evidence of termination of prior marriage(s) (if applicable), original, photocopy and translation into English. "

My assumption is that they want to know that Ira is free to marry (which she is, since she's never been married), but I wonder if they're going to need my own divorce papers?

Thanks,

Z

They will need your divorce decree, and it needs to be a certified or original copy. Everything you included photocopies of in your I-129F, you'll need to provide as originals to her.

[shikarnov 7]

I take it they don't get copies of this stuff, including my I-134 from the original USCIS petition?

[mox 298]

I take it they don't get copies of this stuff, including my I-134 from the original USCIS petition?

Not sure I understand the question. The consulate will have the I-129F packet that you submitted to USCIS.

[shikarnov 7]

I take it they don't get copies of this stuff, including my I-134 from the original USCIS petition?

Not sure I understand the question. The consulate will have the I-129F packet that you submitted to USCIS.

Then would I still need to send Ira - now - a new notarized I-134, another certified copy of my divorce decree, another copy of my tax returns, another batch of pictures, letters, more copies of my [electronic] plane tickets, copies of my passport stamps, etc?

:getting horribly confused:

Z

[shikarnov 7]

And about originals -- none exist. Our entire relationship is electronic. Digitial camera pics, e-mails, plane tickets purchased online, etc. I don't even file real paper for my taxes, and haven't in years... the only thing "official" in this regard is my divorce decree which was sent with the I129F

[mox 298]

Then would I still need to send Ira - now - a new notarized I-134, another certified copy of my divorce decree, another copy of my tax returns, another batch of pictures, letters, more copies of my [electronic] plane tickets, copies of my passport stamps, etc?

:getting horribly confused:

Z

Your I-129F filing did not require certified or notarized copies of anything. It also didn't require the I-134 or tax returns.

Whatever documents that are required for the interview that she does not physically have herself, you must provide to her. So yes, certified copy of your divorce decree, notarized I-134, tax returns, etc. If you included copies of plane tickets in your I-129F, you should provide her with the originals.

Does that make sense?

And about originals -- none exist. Our entire relationship is electronic. Digitial camera pics, e-mails, plane tickets purchased online, etc. I don't even file real paper for my taxes, and haven't in years... the only thing "official" in this regard is my divorce decree which was sent with the I129F

Your boarding passes would not be electronic. But obviously if all your evidence is electronic, then just print it and send to her.

[shikarnov 7]

Then would I still need to send Ira - now - a new notarized I-134, another certified copy of my divorce decree, another copy of my tax returns, another batch of pictures, letters, more copies of my [electronic] plane tickets, copies of my passport stamps, etc?

:getting horribly confused:

Z

Your I-129F filing did not require certified or notarized copies of anything. It also didn't require the I-134 or tax returns.

Perhaps not, but my attorney did... Maybe they are good for something? lol

Whatever documents that are required for the interview that she does not physically have herself, you must provide to her. So yes, certified copy of your divorce decree, notarized I-134, tax returns, etc. If you included copies of plane tickets in your I-129F, you should provide her with the originals.

Does that make sense?

And about originals -- none exist. Our entire relationship is electronic. Digitial camera pics, e-mails, plane tickets purchased online, etc. I don't even file real paper for my taxes, and haven't in years... the only thing "official" in this regard is my divorce decree which was sent with the I129F

Your boarding passes would not be electronic. But obviously if all your evidence is electronic, then just print it and send to her.

There are so many of those stupid little things over the years, and we didn't start keeping them until after I proposed...

I guess I've got some work to do.

Thanks for the reply...

Z

[mox 298]

And you probably already know this, but here's the list of documents required in Moscow:

http://www.usembassy.ru/consular/consular....cord_id=fiancee

And here's the Russian language version:

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/consular/consu...cord_id=fiancee

I guess I've got some work to do.

Thanks for the reply...

Z

No prob. Good to catch it sooner rather than later!

[shikarnov 7]

I have like $50 left in my bank account (Russia is a surprisingly expensive place to live - especially with their regs regarding leaving so often, etc)...

How heavily do they scrutinize the financial docs?

[mox 298]

I have like $50 left in my bank account (Russia is a surprisingly expensive place to live - especially with their regs regarding leaving so often, etc)...

How heavily do they scrutinize the financial docs?

If you are well above the 125% poverty guidelines, they won't look at your financials at all. In fact, I believe some members here have even skipped providing the bank officer's statement and other financial information, and were approved. I'm not quite so bold, even though I'm well over the guidelines. Just make sure you have your tax forms (or transcripts), employer's letter and original pay stubs as close to the interview date as you can get them.

Edited March 4, 2008 by mox

[shikarnov 7]

I have like $50 left in my bank account (Russia is a surprisingly expensive place to live - especially with their regs regarding leaving so often, etc)...

How heavily do they scrutinize the financial docs?

If you are well above the 125% poverty guidelines, they won't look at your financials at all. In fact, I believe some members here have even skipped providing the bank officer's statement and other financial information, and were approved. I'm not quite so bold, even though I'm well over the guidelines. Just make sure you have your tax forms (or transcripts), employer's letter and original pay stubs as close to the interview date as you can get them.

That's a relief...

As for the poverty guidelines... I just checked them out on the State Department's website, and I can't believe some of these numbers. I wonder if they have any idea how much a gallon of milk costs...

[Jason-Sasha 1]

I mistakenly sent Sasha a copy of my original divorce decree. It worried us greatly right before the interview. Then, we decided the worst they could do is simply delay the issuance of the visa pending the original being delivered to them. But luckily, it was never even an issue. Though, like Kirk said, they do require a certified copy or the original.

[slim 1,525]

Don't sweat the finance or the "copies" of certified documents. This isn't an investigation on the legitimacy of your documentation, it's just showing that you didn't buy this woman off the internet or bribe her father with vodka or whatever other far-flung stuff the American public demands they screen for.

When I sent my docs, my bank statement said I had like a $346 balance over the last three months or something. I think when she actually went for the interview I was somewhere around the $50 mark as well. I know I was never near that $346 for more than a couple days after payday! You'll be fine. Don't even worry about it. As long as that magic number on that I-134 is 125% of the poverty level, you're golden. (Literally! You're made of money, rich guy!)