Next steps after I-130 approved?

[ahlpo 0]

Dear VJ members,

My wife and I received a formal notice that our I-130 petition was approved. I have a few questions:

1. We still haven't received our case number though; any ideas when we should expect it?

   I understand that we need it in order to schedule the medical exam.

2. We've requested from the GRO a copy of her birth certificate (orginal one got lost) and we're going to get some passport photos taken to send off with the application for a police certificate via ACPO.

   One thing though: I understand someone needs to countersign the back of her photo but the list of authorized people is quite restrictive. Do you think it is OK to have the managing director of a garage/motor company sign it?

3. In the DS-230, Question 11 which asks where you want the Green Card sent if different from Question 10 (permanent/temporary address), what should you enter if it's the same: 'Same,' 'N/A,' or just write the address again as in Question 10?

4. Regarding the I-864 affidavit of support, what do I enter as the domicile? Is it USA?

   Is it sufficient to provide only the last year tax return? I've heard 3 years is advisable? I e-filed them all so I don't have official copies; do they need to be certified or notarized or something

   Any other tricks or things to keep in mind with this form?

5. Also in I-864, Question 21 asks for the household size but to not count anyone twice. Unfortunately, 21a says to enter the number I entered in Question 10 (total number of immigrants you are sponsoring on this form, so in my case, just 1), then 21b has the number 1 for myself, then 21c says to enter 1 if currently married which brings my total household size in 21h, adding the lines in 21, to 3 people which is not correct. How do you enter this field correctly?

6. Since my wife doesn't have a SSN yet, I'm thinking of waiting to file my 2008 taxes until she gets one which seems much simpler than requesting an ITIN. Assuming everyting goes smoothly with our interview and paperwork, we should be arriving around the middle of April and I think I can get an extension on my taxes. How long would it take though to actually receive her SSN in order to file my taxes?

If you can help with any or all of these questions, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[Talyss 0]

Dear VJ members,

My wife and I received a formal notice that our I-130 petition was approved. I have a few questions:

1. We still haven't received our case number though; any ideas when we should expect it?

   I understand that we need it in order to schedule the medical exam.

2. We've requested from the GRO a copy of her birth certificate (orginal one got lost) and we're going to get some passport photos taken to send off with the application for a police certificate via ACPO.

   One thing though: I understand someone needs to countersign the back of her photo but the list of authorized people is quite restrictive. Do you think it is OK to have the managing director of a garage/motor company sign it?

3. In the DS-230, Question 11 which asks where you want the Green Card sent if different from Question 10 (permanent/temporary address), what should you enter if it's the same: 'Same,' 'N/A,' or just write the address again as in Question 10?

4. Regarding the I-864 affidavit of support, what do I enter as the domicile? Is it USA?

   Is it sufficient to provide only the last year tax return? I've heard 3 years is advisable? I e-filed them all so I don't have official copies; do they need to be certified or notarized or something

   Any other tricks or things to keep in mind with this form?

5. Also in I-864, Question 21 asks for the household size but to not count anyone twice. Unfortunately, 21a says to enter the number I entered in Question 10 (total number of immigrants you are sponsoring on this form, so in my case, just 1), then 21b has the number 1 for myself, then 21c says to enter 1 if currently married which brings my total household size in 21h, adding the lines in 21, to 3 people which is not correct. How do you enter this field correctly?

6. Since my wife doesn't have a SSN yet, I'm thinking of waiting to file my 2008 taxes until she gets one which seems much simpler than requesting an ITIN. Assuming everyting goes smoothly with our interview and paperwork, we should be arriving around the middle of April and I think I can get an extension on my taxes. How long would it take though to actually receive her SSN in order to file my taxes?

If you can help with any or all of these questions, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

With regard to the ACPO certificate.The list on the form is meant as examples but doesn't exclude other occupations that are regarded as being "professionals", I got my friend who is a health service manager to sign mine - even though that wasn't on the list. If unsure you could e-mail the address on the form and ask them.

[ahlpo 0]

Good idea, Talyss. Thanks.

Does anyone have some answers or thoughts for my other questions?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Not many on this board right now are doing DCF so there's not a lot of personal experience. Some of the forms are the same and you will interview, so I'll have a go at trying to add something to your question.

Dear VJ members,

My wife and I received a formal notice that our I-130 petition was approved. I have a few questions:

1. We still haven't received our case number though; any ideas when we should expect it?

   I understand that we need it in order to schedule the medical exam.

   You could try calling the Dept of State in the US (202) 663-1225/ Press 1 for English, the 0 to speak to someone. Ask them if you have a case number. K1s and K3s get a receipt number starting with EAC or WAC from the USCIS in the US before getting assigned a case number for the Embassy. If you got an approval notice of any kind from London that has a number starting with LNDxxxxxxx, then that is your case number.

2. We've requested from the GRO a copy of her birth certificate (orginal one got lost) and we're going to get some passport photos taken to send off with the application for a police certificate via ACPO.

   One thing though: I understand someone needs to countersign the back of her photo but the list of authorized people is quite restrictive. Do you think it is OK to have the managing director of a garage/motor company sign it?

3. In the DS-230, Question 11 which asks where you want the Green Card sent if different from Question 10 (permanent/temporary address), what should you enter if it's the same: 'Same,' 'N/A,' or just write the address again as in Question 10?

   I probably would put "Same" just so they know you read the question.

4. Regarding the I-864 affidavit of support, what do I enter as the domicile? Is it USA? Yes, it has to be or I don't think your eligible.

   Is it sufficient to provide only the last year tax return? I've heard 3 years is advisable? I e-filed them all so I don't have official copies; do they need to be certified or notarized or something Nothing has to be notarized.

   Any other tricks or things to keep in mind with this form?

   I don't know enough about your efile to comment. If you efiled from Turbo Tax, you still could have printed a paper return for your records. If you used a tax service, I don't know if they print a 1040 copy for you to keep.

   Basically a complete return would be the Form 1040 (or 1040A, 1040EZ) along with any Schedules like Schedule A, B, C, D (if part of your tax return. They show interest earned or dividend if you received any), Form W2 (which comes from your employer, tends to be about 3 or 4 little copies you have to tear apart and often of a cardstock weight type material. It tells what you earned during the year), and any Form 1099s. Those could be 1099-INT (shows INTerest you earned form a bank or Certificate of deposit) or 1099-DIV (shows DIVidends you earn from owning stock), 1099-R (if you are Retired and get a pension.) All of those documents get mailed to you in January from employers, banks, stock brokers, etc. so you have the information to do your taxes. Send a photocopy of all that you received to prove income stated on the return.

   OR, instead of the tax return and those other documents, you can send a tax transcript ordered from the IRS. It proves itself without the W2s and 1099s. Here's the form http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf It's free and you can order 3 years worth on the same form. You can mail, fax or call it in. The numbers and addresses are on the second page with the instructions. One year of tax return is supposed to be enough. It says if you thing the previous two will help your case, then show them. That's for you to decide if they show good income too.

   Other than that, if you live in the UK since you're doing DCF, you need to show how your income is going to continue in the US by submitting a letter from your employer explaining your employment, how much you make, that it's ful time or part time. You could bring recent pay stubs showing your income. If you don't have USA income or a way to show you will have it when you move, then you should get a co-sponsor in the US to fill out the I-864 and all the same things just mentioned. Also you need a copy of their passport, or birth certificate to establish they are a US citizen or permanent resident.

5. Also in I-864, Question 21 asks for the household size but to not count anyone twice. Unfortunately, 21a says to enter the number I entered in Question 10 (total number of immigrants you are sponsoring on this form, so in my case, just 1), then 21b has the number 1 for myself, then 21c says to enter 1 if currently married which brings my total household size in 21h, adding the lines in 21, to 3 people which is not correct. How do you enter this field correctly?

   Don't count your spouse (the immigrant) on 21 c. That's the only way to make it come out right. They'll get it. This form is for people who may be sponsoring a parent or friend. In that case the immigrant in 21a is different than their spouse in 21c.

6. Since my wife doesn't have a SSN yet, I'm thinking of waiting to file my 2008 taxes until she gets one which seems much simpler than requesting an ITIN. Assuming everyting goes smoothly with our interview and paperwork, we should be arriving around the middle of April and I think I can get an extension on my taxes. How long would it take though to actually receive her SSN in order to file my taxes?

   You can file now (married filing separately) just to get a good return done to submit to the Embassy. Then after she arrives and has the SSN, you can file an amended return (1040X) and completely change it to file jointly. There's a big tax discussion on the forum Moving and your new life in America. If you married in 2008, there are tax advantages and ways she can file joint with you even without her green card and maybe also collect the Rebate Recovery Credit for her ($600). An amended return would be fine and they would send you any additional money an amended return might gain in the way of a refund.

If you can help with any or all of these questions, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[ahlpo 0]

Thanks, Nich-Nick.

I'll try asking some members who have DCF experience too.

Edited February 3, 2009 by ahlpo