Grrr. Preparing I-130 but not sure about my address

[gingerincanada 0]

I've been living in Canada for 3 years, and since my husband and I got married in Niagara Falls(NY side), we obviously have to file in the USA. I have everything filled out, but I can't seem to find anything on this!

Once my husband gets his visa, we want to move to MA as I have a house there. My question is, when it comes times to filling out the I-864, how do I prove my residence in MA? I file all my taxes there since I'm self employed and that is the last place I lived before coming to Canada. Yes, my house in MA is also a residence, but I haven't physically lived there, I'm renting it out for the time being, and I don't want any mail from USCIS to go there(nosy tenants, and yes, they will open it if it goes there). So do I write my address in Canada? The VisaJourney guide states:

Petitioners who reside in AL, AR, CT, DL, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, U.S. Virgin Islands, WV, or District of Columbia are encouraged to file their stand-alone Form I-130 with the Lockbox using the following address: USCIS P.O. Box 804616 Chicago, IL 60680-1029

I don't exactly "reside" there for the time being. So what lockbox would I use to mail it in? If I have to "reside" in one of the above states, I'm worried I will get my application rejected or told to go through the embassy(which I can't since I was married in the US). Would they be willing to send it to Canada?

[lainie 0]

I've been living in Canada for 3 years, and since my husband and I got married in Niagara Falls(NY side), we obviously have to file in the USA. I have everything filled out, but I can't seem to find anything on this!

Once my husband gets his visa, we want to move to MA as I have a house there. My question is, when it comes times to filling out the I-864, how do I prove my residence in MA? I file all my taxes there since I'm self employed and that is the last place I lived before coming to Canada. Yes, my house in MA is also a residence, but I haven't physically lived there, I'm renting it out for the time being, and I don't want any mail from USCIS to go there(nosy tenants, and yes, they will open it if it goes there). So do I write my address in Canada? The VisaJourney guide states:

Petitioners who reside in AL, AR, CT, DL, FL, GA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OK, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, SC, TN, TX, VT, VA, U.S. Virgin Islands, WV, or District of Columbia are encouraged to file their stand-alone Form I-130 with the Lockbox using the following address: USCIS P.O. Box 804616 Chicago, IL 60680-1029

I don't exactly "reside" there for the time being. So what lockbox would I use to mail it in? If I have to "reside" in one of the above states, I'm worried I will get my application rejected or told to go through the embassy(which I can't since I was married in the US). Would they be willing to send it to Canada?

Seeing as how you are already married and I take it your husband is a canadian citizen have you considered filing DCF (Direct consular Filing)? Generally if you reside in the same country as your spouse you can file at a local US embassy/Consulate no matter where you got married. It may be faster and less of a headache! Just scroll to the DCF forum - http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=304 this link should explain it further!

Edited May 2, 2009 by lainie

[gingerincanada 0]

Hello and thanks for the reply!

Oh believe me, I would love to file for DCF but I'm not a resident of Canada. I'm here on an extended visitor visa and have been told that I cannot take the shortcut

[canadian_wife 1,826]

It's a shame you can't DCF - that would cut your wait time down significantly.

You MUST have some documentation that you own the house - a deed or mortgage papers with your name on it? You will need a US residence to receive your mail, perhaps parents or friends?

Good luck.

[gingerincanada 0]

Hello Canadian wife! Thanks for the reply!

Of course, I do have the mortgage to the house and the paperwork that I own it. My concern is that will the processing center send my mail to Canada if I list it as my current address? Or will they refuse everything outright because I'm filing this from Canada?

[canadian_wife 1,826]

Honestly, if it was me - I would put a US address to receive the mail. Perhaps parents or siblings? Since you aren't 'living' in Canada right now because you are classified as a visitor - it may be easier to list a US address. It doesn't have to be the home you are intending on moving to however.

Some may have different opinions

[gingerincanada 0]

Thanks Canadian Wife. You're probably right. I think I'll put down my parents address.

I love Canada btw! So sad to leave here, I love the Molson commercials! But seeing as Im applying for a CR-1, I have a year left here!

[Reba 2]

Use your US address as proof of abode, and your Canadian address as mailing address. There are spaces for each of these on the forms.