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StephanieM

how soon is too soon for paperwork?

By StephanieM in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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StephanieM Proficient

StephanieM   60

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

I'm getting married in about 3 weeks. I plan to file by October 1st for CR-1 visa. I plan to visit again for either Christmas or New Years or both, depends on work. Anyway,

I just wanna know how soon is too soon to get paperwork legalized and ready to be as prepaped as I can for when the NOA2 comes. I know the police certificate is time sensitive (how long is it good for?) so I won't worry about that. But what about the marriage certificate legalization and the beneficiary birth certificate legalization. Should I try to get those documents during the two weeks I'm gonna be there in August? Or should wait to get them in December when I go back? I know I probably won't be approved before December, but I am super organized and anxious, and I want to be as prepared as I can.

I noticed guides say these documents should be legalized AND certified to send to NVC? What do they mean by certified, and where can I do that in DR?

Lastly, when I go in 3 weeks i'm going to make sure to bring back my 1. marriage certificate (I don't think it has to be inextensa yet for I-130 right?), 2. signed G25-A by SO, 3. and passport pictures of SO. This is ALL I will need from DR and my SO right? I don't want to forget anything and risk having to have documents sent through international mail.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

01/01/2008 - Met
04/27/2010 - Engaged
08/23/2011 - Married
USCIS
10/03/2011 - I-130 Sent (USPS priority w/ delivery confirmation)
10/05/2011 - Package arrived at chicago lockbox
10/06/2011 - NOA1
11/09/2011 - NOA2 (no RFE's)
NVC
11/14/2011 - Petition received by NVC/ Received NOA2 by mail
11/21/2011 - NVC case # received by email/ Got AOS fee by email/ Called NVC to provide beneficiary email
11/27/2011 - Choice of agent (DS-3023) sent to NVC by email
.....took a break from process to delay interview....
01/26/2012 - Payed IV fee
01/27/2012 - IV fee status shown as PAID
02/07/2012 - Payed AOS fee
02/08/2012 - AOS fee status shown as PAID
02/09/ 2012 - DS-230 package sent to NVC (priority mail)
03/06/2012 - AOS package sent to NVC (priority mail)
03/12/2012 - Called NVC and found out about checklist. Sent revision to NVC that same day.
03/16/2012 - CASE COMPLETE!
04/11/2012 - Informed of interview via phone by DOS/ Got P4 email from NVC a few hours later that same day (May 4th)
SANTO DOMINGO CONSULATE
04/19/2012 - Medical
05/04/2012 - Interview (APPROVED)
05/10/2012 - Visa ready and picked up at domex
05/15/2012 - POE in Boston (together)
U. S. A
05/29/2012 - Went to SS office to apply for SS card
06/01/2012 - Welcome letter arrived (Received about 3 of these)
06/05/2012 - Green card arrived
06/15/2012- Back to SS office with green card to reapply and inquire about delay
06/18/2012 - Picked up SSN at SSA office
06/22/2012 - SS card arrived by mail

04/24/14 - Sent I-751 to remove conditions

06/09/14 - Biometrics

11/2014 - RFE from USCIS requesting more evidence before approval

Late Jan - Sent further evidence of marriage

03/05/2015 - Got letter of approval for removal of conditions

03/15/2015 - Permanent 10 yr green card received via mail

jaz00mine Rising Star

jaz00mine   8

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

Don't get anything legalized, I believe that last for 30 days or something. For now, take lots of pics at the wedding and collect all evidence regarding your continuous relationship!!!!!!!!believe me you have lots of time to gather everything b4 and after noa2 :thumbs:

event.png

A journey it has been!!!

StephanieM Proficient

StephanieM   60

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Don't get anything legalized, I believe that last for 30 days or something. For now, take lots of pics at the wedding and collect all evidence regarding your continuous relationship!!!!!!!!believe me you have lots of time to gather everything b4 and after noa2 :thumbs:

Thanks :thumbs:

01/01/2008 - Met
04/27/2010 - Engaged
08/23/2011 - Married
USCIS
10/03/2011 - I-130 Sent (USPS priority w/ delivery confirmation)
10/05/2011 - Package arrived at chicago lockbox
10/06/2011 - NOA1
11/09/2011 - NOA2 (no RFE's)
NVC
11/14/2011 - Petition received by NVC/ Received NOA2 by mail
11/21/2011 - NVC case # received by email/ Got AOS fee by email/ Called NVC to provide beneficiary email
11/27/2011 - Choice of agent (DS-3023) sent to NVC by email
.....took a break from process to delay interview....
01/26/2012 - Payed IV fee
01/27/2012 - IV fee status shown as PAID
02/07/2012 - Payed AOS fee
02/08/2012 - AOS fee status shown as PAID
02/09/ 2012 - DS-230 package sent to NVC (priority mail)
03/06/2012 - AOS package sent to NVC (priority mail)
03/12/2012 - Called NVC and found out about checklist. Sent revision to NVC that same day.
03/16/2012 - CASE COMPLETE!
04/11/2012 - Informed of interview via phone by DOS/ Got P4 email from NVC a few hours later that same day (May 4th)
SANTO DOMINGO CONSULATE
04/19/2012 - Medical
05/04/2012 - Interview (APPROVED)
05/10/2012 - Visa ready and picked up at domex
05/15/2012 - POE in Boston (together)
U. S. A
05/29/2012 - Went to SS office to apply for SS card
06/01/2012 - Welcome letter arrived (Received about 3 of these)
06/05/2012 - Green card arrived
06/15/2012- Back to SS office with green card to reapply and inquire about delay
06/18/2012 - Picked up SSN at SSA office
06/22/2012 - SS card arrived by mail

04/24/14 - Sent I-751 to remove conditions

06/09/14 - Biometrics

11/2014 - RFE from USCIS requesting more evidence before approval

Late Jan - Sent further evidence of marriage

03/05/2015 - Got letter of approval for removal of conditions

03/15/2015 - Permanent 10 yr green card received via mail

BocaChicaBabe Collaborator

BocaChicaBabe   6

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

It's never too soon to get your documents legalized, as legalization is not time sensitive. I got mine legalized at the Junta in Santo Domingo. The police certificate you will need for the interview must be obtained within 30 days of the interview date. However, the police certificate that you send to the NVC is good for up to a year as far as I understand. The police certificate I submitted to the NVC was more than 30 days old and I had no issues.

I would say you can either get your documents now or wait until your next visit. I made sure I got the marriage certificate and had it legalized before I left after the wedding because that was the only thing needed to submit the I-130 petition. I knew I'd be returning in a few months, so I didn't worry about getting the rest of the documents during that trip. The next trip I got all of the remaining documents for the NVC stage and also got my NOA2 the very day I returned home.

I noticed guides say these documents should be legalized AND certified to send to NVC? What do they mean by certified, and where can I do that in DR? You can either submit an original or certified copy of your documents. If you don't have the original, then you'll get a certified copy from the Junta.

Lastly, when I go in 3 weeks i'm going to make sure to bring back my

1. marriage certificate (I don't think it has to be inextensa yet for I-130 right?) Get it inextensa and legalized. I sent only a photo copy of the certificate with my I-130 petition and sent the original certified copy to the NVC.

2. signed G25-A by SO, I brought back more than one signed copy of every document just in case.

3. and passport pictures of SO.

This is ALL I will need from DR and my SO right? Yes, that's all you need from your SO to submit the petition.

~~~~USCIS~~~~
02-12-11 -- Mailed CR1 Petition (USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation)
02-14-11 -- Petition delivered to the Chicago Lockbox
02-16-11 -- NOA1 Text/E-mail
02-22-11 -- I-797C received in the mail
05-24-11 -- NOA2 E-mail (no text, no RFE)
05-28-11 -- I-797C received in the mail

~~~~NVC~~~~
06-07-11 -- Case entered into system
06-08-11 -- Received e-mails with DS-3032 and AOS
06-09-11 -- E-mailed and snail mailed DS-3032 and paid AOS fee
06-10-11 -- AOS status: PAID
06-14-11 -- Mailed AOS package (USPS First-Class Mail)
06-15-11 -- DS-3032 e-mail accepted by NVC and IV bill generated
06-16-11 -- Paid IV bill
06-17-11 -- NVC withdrew money for IV bill from my account
06-23-11 -- IV status: PAID
06-24-11 -- Mailed IV package (USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation)
06-27-11 -- IV package delivered
07-11-11 -- Final Review
07-12-11 -- CASE COMPLETE
08-03-11 -- E-Mail received about interview date
09-12-11 -- INTERVIEW

~~~~Removal of Conditions~~~~

08-02-13 -- ROC window opens

08-05-13 -- Mailed I-751 package (USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation)

08-09-13 -- Package delivered (Delayed at Post Office)
08-12-13 -- NOA1
08-15-13 -- Check cashed
08-24-13 -- Received biometrics letter for September 10
08-26-13 -- Early walk-in for biometrics
09-16-13 -- Received letter stating our case was transferred to CSC on September 12
10-02-13 -- Received text/email update. Case changed from "transferred to Local Office" to "was transferred and now being processed at a USCIS Office"

jaz00mine Rising Star

jaz00mine   8

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

It's never too soon to get your documents legalized, as legalization is not time sensitive. I got mine legalized at the Junta in Santo Domingo. The police certificate you will need for the interview must be obtained within 30 days of the interview date. However, the police certificate that you send to the NVC is good for up to a year as far as I understand. The police certificate I submitted to the NVC was more than 30 days old and I had no issues.

I would say you can either get your documents now or wait until your next visit. I made sure I got the marriage certificate and had it legalized before I left after the wedding because that was the only thing needed to submit the I-130 petition. I knew I'd be returning in a few months, so I didn't worry about getting the rest of the documents during that trip. The next trip I got all of the remaining documents for the NVC stage and also got my NOA2 the very day I returned home.

Good to know :thumbs: We were told within 30 days, guess that's only k1

event.png

A journey it has been!!!

BocaChicaBabe Collaborator

BocaChicaBabe   6

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

Good to know :thumbs: We were told within 30 days, guess that's only k1

It's the same for both CR1 and K1 in that both require the police certificate and all civil documents need to be legalized. Legalization can be done whenever, as is does not have an expiration date. The 30 day rule applies to the police certificate required at the interview, but that does not have to be legalized.

~~~~USCIS~~~~
02-12-11 -- Mailed CR1 Petition (USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation)
02-14-11 -- Petition delivered to the Chicago Lockbox
02-16-11 -- NOA1 Text/E-mail
02-22-11 -- I-797C received in the mail
05-24-11 -- NOA2 E-mail (no text, no RFE)
05-28-11 -- I-797C received in the mail

~~~~NVC~~~~
06-07-11 -- Case entered into system
06-08-11 -- Received e-mails with DS-3032 and AOS
06-09-11 -- E-mailed and snail mailed DS-3032 and paid AOS fee
06-10-11 -- AOS status: PAID
06-14-11 -- Mailed AOS package (USPS First-Class Mail)
06-15-11 -- DS-3032 e-mail accepted by NVC and IV bill generated
06-16-11 -- Paid IV bill
06-17-11 -- NVC withdrew money for IV bill from my account
06-23-11 -- IV status: PAID
06-24-11 -- Mailed IV package (USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation)
06-27-11 -- IV package delivered
07-11-11 -- Final Review
07-12-11 -- CASE COMPLETE
08-03-11 -- E-Mail received about interview date
09-12-11 -- INTERVIEW

~~~~Removal of Conditions~~~~

08-02-13 -- ROC window opens

08-05-13 -- Mailed I-751 package (USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation)

08-09-13 -- Package delivered (Delayed at Post Office)
08-12-13 -- NOA1
08-15-13 -- Check cashed
08-24-13 -- Received biometrics letter for September 10
08-26-13 -- Early walk-in for biometrics
09-16-13 -- Received letter stating our case was transferred to CSC on September 12
10-02-13 -- Received text/email update. Case changed from "transferred to Local Office" to "was transferred and now being processed at a USCIS Office"

StephanieM Proficient

StephanieM   60

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Thanks bOCACHICA, your answer is just what i was looking for!

01/01/2008 - Met
04/27/2010 - Engaged
08/23/2011 - Married
USCIS
10/03/2011 - I-130 Sent (USPS priority w/ delivery confirmation)
10/05/2011 - Package arrived at chicago lockbox
10/06/2011 - NOA1
11/09/2011 - NOA2 (no RFE's)
NVC
11/14/2011 - Petition received by NVC/ Received NOA2 by mail
11/21/2011 - NVC case # received by email/ Got AOS fee by email/ Called NVC to provide beneficiary email
11/27/2011 - Choice of agent (DS-3023) sent to NVC by email
.....took a break from process to delay interview....
01/26/2012 - Payed IV fee
01/27/2012 - IV fee status shown as PAID
02/07/2012 - Payed AOS fee
02/08/2012 - AOS fee status shown as PAID
02/09/ 2012 - DS-230 package sent to NVC (priority mail)
03/06/2012 - AOS package sent to NVC (priority mail)
03/12/2012 - Called NVC and found out about checklist. Sent revision to NVC that same day.
03/16/2012 - CASE COMPLETE!
04/11/2012 - Informed of interview via phone by DOS/ Got P4 email from NVC a few hours later that same day (May 4th)
SANTO DOMINGO CONSULATE
04/19/2012 - Medical
05/04/2012 - Interview (APPROVED)
05/10/2012 - Visa ready and picked up at domex
05/15/2012 - POE in Boston (together)
U. S. A
05/29/2012 - Went to SS office to apply for SS card
06/01/2012 - Welcome letter arrived (Received about 3 of these)
06/05/2012 - Green card arrived
06/15/2012- Back to SS office with green card to reapply and inquire about delay
06/18/2012 - Picked up SSN at SSA office
06/22/2012 - SS card arrived by mail

04/24/14 - Sent I-751 to remove conditions

06/09/14 - Biometrics

11/2014 - RFE from USCIS requesting more evidence before approval

Late Jan - Sent further evidence of marriage

03/05/2015 - Got letter of approval for removal of conditions

03/15/2015 - Permanent 10 yr green card received via mail

jaz00mine Rising Star

jaz00mine   8

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

It's the same for both CR1 and K1 in that both require the police certificate and all civil documents need to be legalized. Legalization can be done whenever, as is does not have an expiration date. The 30 day rule applies to the police certificate required at the interview, but that does not have to be legalized.

:thumbs: didnt know that thank...everyone gave us the idea that they "expire" good to know

event.png

A journey it has been!!!

 
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