Direct Consular Filing in Frankfurt: Questions

[michaelandcarina 0]

Hello,

My wife and I are just getting over the shock of just how detailed and bureaucratic this process is, but we are doing it!

I have a few questions.

We live in Munich, Germany, and there is a consulate here but Frankfurt is the only one in Germany that handles immigrations.

Would it make any sort of a difference to actually travel to Frankfurt just to file the I-130 and accompanying documents? Would that in anyway expedite the process?

If not, how do we pay for it without personal checks? Are there any other German/American couples here that figured out where to find a money order?

I have checked everywhere, from banks to Western Union, without success.

Finally, if we were to go there, can I just go in without an appointment and file the forms, being a US citizen? I can in the one in Munich without an appointment - just not with immigrations papers because they don't handle that.

Thank you,

Michael

[txladykat 1]

Here is the information for filing in Frankfurt: http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/uscis/i130/'>http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/uscis/i130/

This page contains Instructions for Filing an I-130 with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services office in Frankfurt.

I-130 Petition For Alien Relative

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt accepts I-130 petitions by mail or in person from U.S. citizens who reside in Germany

Evidence Of Residence

We require evidence of petitioner's residence in Germany, such as a photocopy of a Certificate of Residence, a Foreigners' Permit to Stay, or a copy of the petitioner's orders if he/she is a member of the U.S. military stationed in Germany.

Appointments

To file in person, make an appointment at the Frankfurt Office on InfoPass (http://infopass.uscis.gov/)

Supporting Documentation

Do not submit original documents. Only attach legible photocopies of required supporting documentation.

Processing Times

The minimum processing time for an I-130 petition is 90 days. If it has been more than 90 days.

The embassy in Denmark let us pay with cash (Danish Kroner)

Here is the Frankfurt contact/hours: http://germany.usembassy.gov/visa/uscis/

In short, yes you can file in person, but you must make an appointment. I don't know if it will speed up the process. They state the proces takes 90 days - I imagine that is from the date of filing.