newbie ready to file I-130

[Dave 'n' Hai Au 0]

First of all, thanks to everyone for the great site! I have tried to read as much as i can but still need some help. Is marriage license enough proof for this application or do I need more? I thought photos and such were for the interview stage. Is plastic bag for photo just a resealable sandwich bag? Since we are married, when does her name change come into play? After she gets here? I don't want to mess this up for us and cause any undo delays as I'm sure you all felt. From reading posts, this seems kind of intimidating or maybe I am just paranoid! Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Congratulations to those that have completed "THE JOURNEY" and good luck to those still in "THE ZONE". Hope to get to know some of the great people here during our journey.

[YuAndDan 153]

Sandwich bag is OK for photos, that is what we used.

Use married name if she intends on having that on green-card later after entry to the USA on CR-1 visa. Changing name on green-card requires filing I-90 and paying a FEE.

She can get married name amended into passport during the waiting time for interview.

[CoolHand2x2y2z 0]

Hi, YuAndDan,

Being at the end of the yellow brick road to hell, I would suggest you send them everything that you can, just like if you were bringing those exact things (evidence) to the interview. Seriously, send them very little and pay for it later -like me.

Make sure you have a copy of everything; send them copies if you have to. Lots of photos! Load them up with stuff; send them a huge box.

After you do that, make sure you plan trips together and so on, including documenting your communication very well.

Oh, if you were introduced by a relative or anything resembling that, consider changing your story. Please, please read this forum very well before shipping that I-130 off. Take it very seriously, not as a preliminary to the rest. I did that and I would not advise it.

Good luck!

[YuAndDan 153]

Hi, YuAndDan,

Being at the end of the yellow brick road to hell, I would suggest you send them everything that you can, just like if you were bringing those exact things (evidence) to the interview. Seriously, send them very little and pay for it later -like me.

Make sure you have a copy of everything; send them copies if you have to. Lots of photos! Load them up with stuff; send them a huge box.

After you do that, make sure you plan trips together and so on, including documenting your communication very well.

Oh, if you were introduced by a relative or anything resembling that, consider changing your story. Please, please read this forum very well before shipping that I-130 off. Take it very seriously, not as a preliminary to the rest. I did that and I would not advise it.

Good luck!

Excellent advice, this is called "Front Loading" bring up any "Red-Flag" issue in the filing of the petition (I-130) the reasoning is that if USCIS sees it and still approves the consulate cannot use it to deny.

[Anh map 2,098]

Hi, YuAndDan,

Being at the end of the yellow brick road to hell, I would suggest you send them everything that you can, just like if you were bringing those exact things (evidence) to the interview. Seriously, send them very little and pay for it later -like me.

Make sure you have a copy of everything; send them copies if you have to. Lots of photos! Load them up with stuff; send them a huge box.

After you do that, make sure you plan trips together and so on, including documenting your communication very well.

Oh, if you were introduced by a relative or anything resembling that, consider changing your story. Please, please read this forum very well before shipping that I-130 off. Take it very seriously, not as a preliminary to the rest. I did that and I would not advise it.

Good luck!

Excellent advice, this is called "Front Loading" bring up any "Red-Flag" issue in the filing of the petition (I-130) the reasoning is that if USCIS sees it and still approves the consulate cannot use it to deny.

AMEN TO THE LAST TWO COMMENTS. Start gathering documenting, planning. It pays off as you move through the process.

Best of luck!!

[Dakine 26]

If you do front load a bunch be sure and make 2 copies of EVERYTHING you submit so months later at the interview you and your mate will know what was on the submissions right down to picture captions.

Front loading does work but if COs want to deny you they can always find another reason like "lack of a bona fide relationship".

Edited December 5, 2008 by Haole

[Dave 'n' Hai Au 0]

Sandwich bag is OK for photos, that is what we used.

Use married name if she intends on having that on green-card later after entry to the USA on CR-1 visa. Changing name on green-card requires filing I-90 and paying a FEE.

She can get married name amended into passport during the waiting time for interview.

I think I need to use name she has on marriage license for I-130. I guess will change later.

[What's next 1]

First of all, thanks to everyone for the great site! I have tried to read as much as i can but still need some help. Is marriage license enough proof for this application or do I need more? I thought photos and such were for the interview stage. Is plastic bag for photo just a resealable sandwich bag? Since we are married, when does her name change come into play? After she gets here? I don't want to mess this up for us and cause any undo delays as I'm sure you all felt. From reading posts, this seems kind of intimidating or maybe I am just paranoid! Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated. Congratulations to those that have completed "THE JOURNEY" and good luck to those still in "THE ZONE". Hope to get to know some of the great people here during our journey.

dave n hai au

Welcome to visajourney.com/general discussion area/regional discussion/asia: east and pacific (except china).

As far as the name issue, I would keep it the same. Keep it simple. The process is going to take about 9+ months, you don't want it to become 9++++ months just because of a last name.

As far as proof, send them whatever you have.

Start getting your wife mentally ready. make sure she knows everything about you. don't assume anything. where you go to school, what car you drive, where you live. start preparing for the interview. make sure she can identify every piece of evidence.

I'm sure you'll have alot of research to do on here, so read up. ask questions. good luck

[Teacher Mark 53]

Hi, YuAndDan,

Being at the end of the yellow brick road to hell, I would suggest you send them everything that you can, just like if you were bringing those exact things (evidence) to the interview. Seriously, send them very little and pay for it later -like me.

Make sure you have a copy of everything; send them copies if you have to. Lots of photos! Load them up with stuff; send them a huge box.

After you do that, make sure you plan trips together and so on, including documenting your communication very well.

Oh, if you were introduced by a relative or anything resembling that, consider changing your story. Please, please read this forum very well before shipping that I-130 off. Take it very seriously, not as a preliminary to the rest. I did that and I would not advise it.

Good luck!

Getting caught lying about something like that will result in a 3 to 10 year ban for your Wife.

Edited December 9, 2008 by Joe Six-Pack