I-130 Requiring Additional Info!?! HELP!!

[texasbantam 0]

Hey all,

Well we finally got some correspondence back from the Embassy in London re our I-130 filed 2nd May, and it's not good!

The letter states the applicaton requires additional information - namely (and this is quoted from the letter):

"Please provide a sworn affidavit (must be signed in front of notary/solicitor) explaining how & when your spouse had met and the background leading up to your marriage on Oct 7th 2006"

"Please provide three (3) affidavits (must be signed in front of notary/solicitor) sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fide of your relationship with the beneficiary. Each affidavit must contain full name & address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit; his or her relationship, if any, to the petitioner, beneficiary and complete information details explaining how the person aquired this knowledge. The affiant may be required to testify before an immigration officer about the information contained in the affidavit.

Soooo..

1. I think we're OK on the 1st one - we're just not sure what to write - any help on this one???

2. The 2nd pieces of information they want - these 3 affidavits - do they have to be on my wife's side or both? And again, what should they say??

3. What's a notary in the UK? Would we have to pay to have them present whilst they are signed?

4. Has anyone else come across all this? We're both fretting (well me mostly - i'm the beneficiary)

5. The last point they write - "The affiant may be required to testify before an immigration officer about the information contained in the affidavit." - How would that work ???

Would REALLY appreciate your thoughts on this!!

Thanks for reading!!

[YuAndDan 153]

For #2, they can be from both sides of the relationship.

#3 There is a Notary on staff at the US consulate or Embassy. Or you can find them in the UK http://www.thenotariessociety.org.uk/find_a_notary.asp

#4 This is a requirement on form I-130.

NOTE: In addition to the required documentation listed above, you should submit one or more of the following types of documentation that may evidence that bona fides of your marriage:

I. Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage);

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/I-130instr.pdf

#5 They may contact the persons that provided the affidavits. or will accept the fact that the affidavit was sworn to and signed in front of a notary that it is a true and accurate affidavit.

[texasbantam 0]

Thank you thank you thank you yuanddan!!

Cannot believe i missed No4! I never realised that was a requirement for the i-130. Because i missed it, is that why they're now asking for them to be notarised?

It's going to be easier for us if my wife gets the 3 affidavits as she's flying back to TX next week for a few days - can you forsee a problem if all three are from her side (petitioner), and not mine?

Any idea's on what they need to say?

Thanks again - if it wasn't for this forum i'd have grey hair (if i didn't shave my head anyway

[Catgirl 0]

Thank you thank you thank you yuanddan!!

Cannot believe i missed No4! I never realised that was a requirement for the i-130. Because i missed it, is that why they're now asking for them to be notarised?

It's going to be easier for us if my wife gets the 3 affidavits as she's flying back to TX next week for a few days - can you forsee a problem if all three are from her side (petitioner), and not mine?

Any idea's on what they need to say?

Thanks again - if it wasn't for this forum i'd have grey hair (if i didn't shave my head anyway

Here are a couple of samples I have saved in case we need to send affidavits. We didn't include them in our I-130 petition because the checklist didn't say so.

Quote:

FORMAT OF LETTER

----------------------------

John Doe

Address

City, State Zip Code

Telephone number

Date

To Whom it May Concern:

Body of letter

Sincerely,

David Smith

Social security number

Date of birth/Place of birth

US Citizen

-----------------------------

SAMPLE BODY OF LETTER #1

My date of birth is 7/13/46 and I was born in Glasgow, KY 42141. Please be

advised that I have known (name of US citizen) since 1992, and (name of

immigrant spouse) since their marriage in June, 1998. I have entertained

them in my home and maintain regular contact with them. They demonstrate

an ongoing sound, felicitous relationship and I anticipate their marriage

will remain a lifetime commitment.

-----------------------------

SAMPLE BODY OF LETTER #2

I am writing this letter to confirm that I have known Jane and John Doe since (date), when we met while John and I were co-workers. I served as best man at their wedding. Since their marriage, I have seen Jane and John together as a couple many times

and in a variety of situations, both at my house and theirs, as well as in

public. I am confident to say that they are a legitimately married couple. The most recent

time that I saw them as a couple was at Jane's surprise birthday party

hosted by John. If you have any questions, I may be reached at the phone

number or the address above.

[texasbantam 0]

Catgirl? CANNOT thank you enough for these!! Will print off and adjust as ness.

Just a thought tho - when I checked the checklist before i sent the i-130, i never saw that you needed this too, so i would presume that you should've sent affidavit's too?

[emma19_82 0]

Catgirl? CANNOT thank you enough for these!! Will print off and adjust as ness.

Just a thought tho - when I checked the checklist before i sent the i-130, i never saw that you needed this too, so i would presume that you should've sent affidavit's too?

Hi There,

We are in the very same position, we thought we were so careful with what we were sending, but didn't realise the affidavits were required either. Does anyone know how this affects the timing? Do we go back to the end of the queue and essentially start the process again from the beginning? It feels so frustrating! Any advice would be really appreciated!

[chartreuse 0]

Catgirl? CANNOT thank you enough for these!! Will print off and adjust as ness.

Just a thought tho - when I checked the checklist before i sent the i-130, i never saw that you needed this too, so i would presume that you should've sent affidavit's too?

I'll add our thanks to texasbantam's Catgirl. We're about a month behind you guys (must fill out a timeline!) and, like others, didn't include any affidavits with the I130 as London appeared to be telling us not to.

Fortunately, SWMBO is off to TX for a week in late August, to take care of a few things. We should know, by then, whether we'll need them. Although it might be a good idea to get some done anyway.