Help for new member KenN (CR-1)

[Bernie C 24]

@Scott: Thanks for the link

@Bernie: What a useful timeline. I think if we write the time-line like yours, it's easier for CO to follow than writing an essay. I thought of writing an essay, but now I change my mind... . Thanks again

Ah, Can I get it notarized at the bank instead of notary public? Is it possible for me to send the time-line with IV Package? (of course I have to request them to put it in my files for CO to review it later) or I have to send it separately?

Anyplace that provides notary services should be able to notarize it.

Packet 4 documents are hand carried to the interview, not sent prior to (at least for K-1 that is true).

[ScottThuy 140]

@Scott: Thanks for the link

@Bernie: What a useful timeline. I think if we write the time-line like yours, it's easier for CO to follow than writing an essay. I thought of writing an essay, but now I change my mind... . Thanks again

Ah, Can I get it notarized at the bank instead of notary public? Is it possible for me to send the time-line with IV Package? (of course I have to request them to put it in my files for CO to review it later) or I have to send it separately?

Bank is easiest for me... Send in your timeline with the rest of the paperwork so there is a copy in the file when it gets to the consulate. keep an electronic copy and continue updating it until the interview... that way if they ask you have a fresh one ready to go.. have the second version notarized and ready the day of the interview just in case...

Keep in mind that the timeline is a way to explain your relationship with your SO.... it has been said that photos and chat logs dont give quite the same description of a relationship to the CO as a well written timeline... and be sure your SO helps you write it as she will be the one questioned about it...

[lindal24 1]

My name is Ken and I'm filing CR1 for my wife in Vietnam. I just joined VJ for a few weeks and glad to know you. (I'm Vietnamese ). Could you please answer me a few questions?

1. In form DS-3032 (Choice of Address and Agent): Who was appointed? Your wife came to a service agent in VN to do it? the person you appoint will be the person who handles all the paperwork whether it's you, your wife, an attorney, dich vu, etc.--if you're competent to do it yourself, I highly recommend you appoint yourself or wife.

2. Should we really need petitioner's birth certificate on the interviewing day? (US Passport and Naturalization Cert can be substituted?) IMO, I think it depends on your case. In my case, I did not need or have it, and it was not requested. You should have it ready, just in case...

3. Could you please tell me how you did all the paper work? Or show me how you did it? I completed all the paperwork myself by following the instructions provided for each form. If there were any questions, or uncertainties, you can always turn to VJ to see how other members did it...

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

Story Begin:

12/31/2007 Met my wife thru a friend of mine (1st trip)

04/30/2008 Back to US

09/01/2008 another trip to VN (2nd trip)

09/18/2008 Our Wedding

10/15/2008 Back to US

05/24/2009 Welcome new member to our family (my little daughter)

09/02/2009 Trip to VN again (3rd trip)

10/20/2009 Consulate for CRBA and passport for the baby

11/25/2009 Back to US again

12/10/2009 Received CRBA certificate and baby's US passport in VN

01/12/2010 Got CRBA Cert and passport in the mail box (was sent to me by my wife)

01/14/2010 Applied baby's SSN

01/28/2010 Received baby's SSN

USCIS

01/25/2010 I-130 Sent

02/03/2010 I-130 NOA1 hard copy received in mail

xx/xx/2010 NOA2 hard copy received in mail

NVC

xx/xx/2010 : Case Number Assigned

xx/xx/2010 : E-Mails Given to NVC Operator

xx/xx/2010 : Received DS-3032 and AOS Bill

xx/xx/2010 : DS-3032 Sent by E-Mail

xx/xx/2010 : Pay AOS Bill Online

xx/xx/2010 : AOS and Documents Sent

xx/xx/2010 : AOS Accepted

xx/xx/2010 : Receive IV Bill

xx/xx/2010 : Pay IV Bill

xx/xx/2010 : Return Completed DS-230 and Documents

xx/xx/2010 : Log-In Failed

xx/xx/2010 : Case Completed at NVC

xx/xx/2010 : Interview Date Assigned

EMBASSY

xx/xx/2010 : Medical Exam

xx/xx/2010 : Interview Date

xx/xx/2010 : Visa Received

Thanks Bernie for posting my questions here. ..and thanks anyone who's reading this.

I also have a few questions. Should I need a time-line for my case? It's not explicitly stated that a timeline is required, but more recent reports and blue slip indicate that one is needed, so you should have one prepared, again, just in case...In I-130 for evidence of a Bonifide Marriage, I submitted CRBA of our daughter only. Was that enough? For evidence to prove family relationship, you should have minimally provided a copy of your marriage certificate, if either of you were previously married then copies of the divorce documents, the photos, the biographics information form, and the CBRA (and probably the original birth certificate showing both parents' names). Depending on what you refer to as proof of bona fide relationship, in my definition, this is when the consulate gets thrown into the mix to try to attempt to prove your case as fraudulent. In this case/definition, you'll DEFINITELY need more than just the CBRA because, as stated before, just because there is a child involved does not mean that there is a bona fide relationship.Can my wife bring other evidences such as: letters, emails, phone bills (I call my wife everyday ), pictures, airline tickets, etc. on the interviewing date later? This is the evidence that will provide proof that there is an ongoing bona fide relationship, and yes, you can bring this in later, but as many have stated, you can also "front load" this information with your original petition.

A friend of mine also told me that I should need receipts of all other things such as: hotels, our wedding... Should these receipts be needed? They are not needed, but they would help your case if you had them (to show proof of bona fide relationship in the sense that you were together at the same time and same place This is part I don't have any receipts at all. Will it be a problem at all? It won't be a problem, again, it can only help your case. Start collecting them going forward...

Ah, Can I get it notarized at the bank instead of notary public? You can get it notarized anywhere, a notary at the bank is the same as the notary outside--as long as their notary commission is not expired! Is it possible for me to send the time-line with IV Package? (of course I have to request them to put it in my files for CO to review it later) or I have to send it separately? You can do what BernieC did and email it to them and request they add it to your file if you've already sent off your package...

[KenN 0]

@Bernie: For CR-1, the package IV should send to this address :

National Visa Center

ATTN: CMR

31 Rochester Ave. Suite 100

Portsmouth, NH 03801-2914

So I'm gonna include everything I need to update for my files like Scott said . I also read some topics and someone was denied for the "K1-visa" with the reason "The relationship without family's approval". Is this really a matter? For my situation, my parents didn't like my wife (personal reasons, due to some misunderstanding) ), after a lot of arguments with my parents, so I decided to marry her on my own. We married (of course with approval of her family) and invited her relatives and friends only (Not even one of my family members due to my parents didn't want me to marry her. They knew that I'll marry her somehow). And now they seems to except my wife because of my daughter (read my signature ). So come to my questions: is this situation gonna hurt my case?. Should I include this problem in the time-line? and explain everything in details? Or I'm better leave it until the CO ask about the relationship between my wife and my family? I will be grateful for any suggestions or advices .

[KenN 0]

Thanks lindal24 .

I already sent my I-130 and waiting for approval. Like you said I have to front load everything to prove our bona fide relationship. Could I send all with the IV package and include of cover sheet to request them to put in my files for CO to review it later?

[Bernie C 24]

I think you should be fine. I could not afford to fly my family or friends to VN for our ceremony or parties but I had tons of pictures with her family, grandma, mother, father, brothers, aunts, uncles and friends. For us, I felt it was most important to show that I was accepted by her family. We had a traditional picture day and actually had a traditional Vietnamese wedding too (even though we were K-1, We did not register the wedding in VN).

Lots of people have done it in different ways. One thing that kind of sucks is that is seems to depend on the CO as to what they want to see.

Just provide as much as you can and prepare well for the interview. I would not include any negative things in the timeline! Focus on your relationship with your wife and her family and provide all the proofs you can that show that!

In the event they ask something about your family, just be prepared to answer but dont offer any "free" information that they dont request there.

[KenN 0]

Thank you so much Bernie, I got that.