Using Notary to prove we were together

[TJM 0]

I am planning to submit the I-129f in a couple weeks and my financee is now visiting me in the United States. It would seem to me that if we sign a document (perhaps a joint Letter of Intent to marry) and have it notarized that this would prove conclusively that we were together. I checked with the notary that I use and she confirmed that she can notarize my fiancees signature as long as she has a government issued document with a serial number and experiation date ... which my financee has.

Has anyone used this technique to prove that you were together? Any thoughts on whether this would be sufficient to show that we were together?

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I'm not sure how a notary can prove you two are together. All a notary can do is verify that the person who is signing a document is truly that person.

The documents don't need to be notarized.

Just my opinion. Focus your energy on primary documents such as passport stamps, bording passes, etc.

Good luck

[Amit-N-Melody 11]

And.. I would like to add..... pictures and pictures and pictures... they say a thousand words... as well as reciepts... even movie tickets, hotel, resturant etc..

[SunDrop 59]

I am planning to submit the I-129f in a couple weeks and my financee is now visiting me in the United States. It would seem to me that if we sign a document (perhaps a joint Letter of Intent to marry) and have it notarized that this would prove conclusively that we were together. I checked with the notary that I use and she confirmed that she can notarize my fiancees signature as long as she has a government issued document with a serial number and experiation date ... which my financee has.

Has anyone used this technique to prove that you were together? Any thoughts on whether this would be sufficient to show that we were together?

Why? Seems like unnecessary overkill. Most people use their travel documents and passport entry stamps. Combined with a couple of photos of the 2 of you together, why use something so clinical as a notarized document?

[pushbrk 12,883]

Why? Seems like unnecessary overkill. Most people use their travel documents and passport entry stamps. Combined with a couple of photos of the 2 of you together, why use something so clinical as a notarized document?

Boarding passes and passport stamps are primary evidence of meeting. Pictures, though important, are secondary.

A "joint" letter of intent where Notary certifies they couple BOTH signed the document the same day, WOULD be primary evidence of meeting but overkill, IMO. Even separate documents notarized by the same notary on the same day would produce the same result.

It would be so much easier to do a proof of life photo with the two of you holding today's newspaper.

Edited January 17, 2010 by pushbrk

[SuperDuper! 230]

Pushyb, Normally I agree with your expert opinion, but I just cringe at the thought of a "Ransom type" pic.

Surely there has got to be a better, more loving and fun-filled way to do this. For even a fraudulent couple can hold up a newspaper, and say, "Look, here we are together on this date, so hand over the visa."

[anya-D 8]

Pushyb, Normally I agree with your expert opinion, but I just cringe at the thought of a "Ransom type" pic.

Surely there has got to be a better, more loving and fun-filled way to do this. For even a fraudulent couple can hold up a newspaper, and say, "Look, here we are together on this date, so hand over the visa."

fun pictures.. taking it in front of movie theater, museum exhibition, show poster etc., that have the show date on them with tickets to prove.. would be fun way to do it

[pushbrk 12,883]

Pushyb, Normally I agree with your expert opinion, but I just cringe at the thought of a "Ransom type" pic.

Surely there has got to be a better, more loving and fun-filled way to do this. For even a fraudulent couple can hold up a newspaper, and say, "Look, here we are together on this date, so hand over the visa."

Just illustrating the absurd.

Note though that evidence of meeting in person is a requirement for petition approval. It is not evidence of a bona fide relationship and that's what's needed to get the visa. So anybody who thinks any kind of proof of meeting is enough to say, "so hand over the visa" is in for a rude awakening.

A popular "proof" photo in China is to go inside a Bank of China branch and have the security guard take the couple's photo in front of the money exchange board, that has the date, time and exchange rates.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Just illustrating the absurd.

Note though that evidence of meeting in person is a requirement for petition approval. It is not evidence of a bona fide relationship and that's what's needed to get the visa. So anybody who thinks any kind of proof of meeting is enough to say, "so hand over the visa" is in for a rude awakening.

A popular "proof" photo in China is to go inside a Bank of China branch and have the security guard take the couple's photo in front of the money exchange board, that has the date, time and exchange rates.

Smooth move! And at the same time, Kano can calculate how much getting her to his home is gonna REALLY cost him.

[baron555 934]

I am planning to submit the I-129f in a couple weeks and my financee is now visiting me in the United States. It would seem to me that if we sign a document (perhaps a joint Letter of Intent to marry) and have it notarized that this would prove conclusively that we were together. I checked with the notary that I use and she confirmed that she can notarize my fiancees signature as long as she has a government issued document with a serial number and experiation date ... which my financee has.

Has anyone used this technique to prove that you were together? Any thoughts on whether this would be sufficient to show that we were together?

Why can't you just use the "normal" means that all of us have and just submit passport stamp copies and pictures?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I don't think it's "absurd" at all. Having documents notarized at the same time and place is good primary evidence.

My fiancee and I signed our letters of intent in front of a consular officer at the US Consulate, who notarized our signatures. As far as I'm concerned, my petition could probably have been approved with no other evidence submitted. The fact that we had met the requirement had already been confirmed by a foreign service officer of the US government.

I still included a pile of evidence for question 18, even if it wasn't needed. I was focusing mainly on stuff I wanted the consulate to see.

[MMarc 0]

I am planning to submit the I-129f in a couple weeks and my financee is now visiting me in the United States. It would seem to me that if we sign a document (perhaps a joint Letter of Intent to marry) and have it notarized that this would prove conclusively that we were together. I checked with the notary that I use and she confirmed that she can notarize my fiancees signature as long as she has a government issued document with a serial number and experiation date ... which my financee has.

Has anyone used this technique to prove that you were together? Any thoughts on whether this would be sufficient to show that we were together?

You need to have correspondence proof, letters, chat history, phone calls, pictures, and emails etc. Just having some thing notarized will not help you show proof that you are in a relationship.

[pushbrk 12,883]

You need to have correspondence proof, letters, chat history, phone calls, pictures, and emails etc. Just having some thing notarized will not help you show proof that you are in a relationship.

Proof of meeting in person and proof of relationship are two separate things. The subject at hand is proof of meeting.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You need to have correspondence proof, letters, chat history, phone calls, pictures, and emails etc. Just having some thing notarized will not help you show proof that you are in a relationship.

No, it won't show that they are in a relationship but it is good evidence to prove they meet the 'must have met within the last two years' requirement - an important consideration when submitting the I-129f petition.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I am planning to submit the I-129f in a couple weeks and my financee is now visiting me in the United States. It would seem to me that if we sign a document (perhaps a joint Letter of Intent to marry) and have it notarized that this would prove conclusively that we were together. I checked with the notary that I use and she confirmed that she can notarize my fiancees signature as long as she has a government issued document with a serial number and experiation date ... which my financee has.

Has anyone used this technique to prove that you were together? Any thoughts on whether this would be sufficient to show that we were together?

Sounds like a lot of unnecessary foo-for-ah. Make a copy of her boarding passes, passport stamps on entry and take some photos. You are done with that part.