NewBe Starting the process

[Anas & Ayesha 1]

Hello,

I (U.S. Citizen) am currently in Pakistan with my husband. We were married on March 11, 2011. We have a marriage contract known as "Nikaah" and it will soon be registered. I will be in Pakistan for another 2 weeks.

1) Is the Nikaah a valid marriage license to start the immigration process? A friend of mine told me I should ask someone if it is legal in the USA

2) Is this CR-1 the proper one to file or the K-3...as I have read seems the K-3 is dead now?

3) When I start the process I will use my Un-married name all the way thru, is this correct? Because I dont have the money to do a legal name change right now....not sure what to do.

Any more info one might be able to give me would be wonderful.

Thank you for your time.

[carolynhotstuff 252]

Congratulations on your marriage. Yes the Nikaah is a valid marriage certificate. It is legal in the USA.

The CR-1 is the only petition you need to file and yes you can use your un-married name to file all the paperwork that is what I did and I had no problems what-so-ever.

[A&N Always 0]

Yes it is! I am in the same situation and haven't changed my name yet. Had the Nikkah Ceremony and filed for Cr-1. You are good to go...congrats on your marriage and brace yourself for this process

[tariq_mehvish 0]

Congrats on your wedding.

Things to do now:

• Translate your Spouse's Marriage Certificate
  
• Translate your Spouse's Birth Certificate (I am working with a lawyer and was told that the new English formats can sometimes be confusing during the Visa process)
  
• Have you and spouse's passport size pictures taken
  
• Gather information for I-130, DS-230, G-325A
  
• Find out how to get a Police Clearance Certificate (I have not done this myself; there is a 6 month validation period; have also heard it can be very bothering to get sometimes)
  
• Gather financial documents (i.e. 1040, W-2, Business Expense Records, Letter from Employer etc.)
  
• Get a copy of your spouse's Passport Data Page
  
• ... AND THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL ... HAVE PATIENCE!
  

Hope this helps you with a head start.

Tariq

[Marah Sabir 0]

Where in Pak are you staying? I am there too right now!

Oh and adding to your question here: Do we need the passport data page to go in with the I-130 application?

Edited March 20, 2011 by Almond Cakes

[Bushra 2]

Congratulation dear.

The first step is translate your Nikha nama in English and its very easy if you live in Lahore they do that In Anarkali by the back side of PU.

But check all the spelling and everything thats your responsibility to make sure all the spellings are right.

* Get your hubby's Nadra's Birth Certificate.

* Go to foreign Affairs office for Attestation (Both BC and marriage certificate in Urdu and Translation as well) They are by GOR near Jinah bagh.

* These two things you need from your hubby at this stage with 2 picture. of course.

Come Back apply for K-1 or I-130 is the best.

So fill the form I-130 and G325a. send them along those documents and fee.

You will get NOA1 and then they will ask you for DS230-I.

In these days its very fast. MY friend came here in 7 months after they applied her I-130.

Good luck . .

[Sarah101 5]

so many pakistani so cool

I applied with my unmarried name

please do get at-least three affidavits from your family or friends with your I130 packet. My dad , uncle(chacha) and hubby's brother wrote one for us.

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage); or

[Sarah101 5]

Where in Pak are you staying? I am there too right now!

Oh and adding to your question here: Do we need the passport data page to go in with the I-130 application?

you will need passport data page for NVC stage

[Marah Sabir 0]

you will need passport data page for NVC stage

Thank you for letting me know that!

[Muhammad n Maryam 1]

Once your back in the states you can have your last named changed to your husbands. I first had mine changed on my ss card. It doesn't cost anything. Thou it does take it sum time.

Congrats on your marriage And wishing the both of you a smooth journey !

[Anas & Ayesha 1]

Thank you everyone.

We have never lived together other than living in our hotel. So in the process of getting Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship. Thinking to get all the people who signed the Nikah. And then when I get home from my family as well.

We will have the Registered marriage certificate in a few days.

We have taken over 1000 photos so far which shows us together and hanging out with friends and family.

I am keeping all our receipts for everything to provide as proof

He has his birth certificate, passport, ID card.

We will get passport photos today or tomorrow.

Anything more anyone can think about while I am still in Pakistan?

What forms will he need to fill out for the process at the embasy here in Pakistan, and are they downloadable?