Notarized Documents, Are they really necessary

[brian_n_phuong 193]

Trying to prepare my 129F, and want to front load it with as much info as possible. One area of confusion for me is defining WHICH documents need to be notarized. It seems to vary depending on the website, forum, and author. Since the interview will be in HCMC, I will trust the guidance from some of the "vets" in this particular forum to make my decision.

So my questions:

1. Again, which documents need to be notarized? I know the letter of intent need 'not' be notarized, but what about other 'signed' supporting documention? Would the CO even view a Vietnamese notary stamp as legitimate?

2. I have read that documents can be submitted in VIetnamese language for interviews that will be conducted in that country. I plan on submitting several affadavits (in Vietnamese) affirming my relationship, and would like to include those with the 129F to make my case stronger prior to the interview. My concern is that the 129F is routed to USCIS for approval prior to the docs being forwarded to the consulate. Would these docs in Vietnamese be rejected by USCIS, or cause confusion delaying the processing?

:help:Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Enigma11561 336]

If you are just now preparing to file your original 129F, it goes to the NVC before anything else. They speak English and the guides will tell you that everything should be in English. If they cannot read it, it will be rejected. Perhaps you are better saving the foreign language stuff for the consulate interview.

[Anh map 2,098]

Affidavits from friends and family are like job references. Would a person ever submit a bad one? Remember that you are dealing with a high fraud consulate. One or two is fine. No need to submit more. Lots of 'weak" evidence does not trump several pieces of good evidence.

In this instance, a sworn affidavit is as effective as a notarized affidavit.

Front load things that are commonly requested with a blue slip such as:

Timeline of relationship. This ought to be notarized.

List of all beneficiary's family in the US.. Include location and how long they've been here.

Current address of ex spouses, if any.

Evidence of (here it is again ) Dam Hoi / Dinh Hon

[brian_n_phuong 193]

Affidavits from friends and family are like job references. Would a person ever submit a bad one? Remember that you are dealing with a high fraud consulate. One or two is fine. No need to submit more. Lots of 'weak" evidence does not trump several pieces of good evidence.

In this instance, a sworn affidavit is as effective as a notarized affidavit.

Front load things that are commonly requested with a blue slip such as:

Timeline of relationship. This ought to be notarized.

List of all beneficiary's family in the US.. Include location and how long they've been here.

Current address of ex spouses, if any.

Evidence of (here it is again ) Dam Hoi / Dinh Hon

Thanks Anh...

--- We probably dont need to re-hash the Dam Hoi arguement, but will submit all the photos/evidence of our 'modified' Dam Hoi

--- Is there a 'format' of sorts for the timeline. I have a timeline I was submitting as part of the 129F Question 18, would that suffice if I get the entire "question 18" attachment page notarized?

--- Still some confusion with the affidavits. I will limit to just her parents, and will go with the 'sworn' version as you suggest. Enigma makes a good point, should I wait for the interview to submit these, or have them translated and submit both signed versions (English and Tieng Viet) with the 129F

--- The rest I got covered in detail

Thanks for the help guys and apologize for the noob questions. It was my decision to not use an attorney, so dont want to screw this up and then live with that type of regret!

[Anh map 2,098]

Thanks Anh...

--- We probably dont need to re-hash the Dam Hoi arguement, but will submit all the photos/evidence of our 'modified' Dam Hoi

--- Is there a 'format' of sorts for the timeline. I have a timeline I was submitting as part of the 129F Question 18, would that suffice if I get the entire "question 18" attachment page notarized?

--- Still some confusion with the affidavits. I will limit to just her parents, and will go with the 'sworn' version as you suggest. Enigma makes a good point, should I wait for the interview to submit these, or have them translated and submit both signed versions (English and Tieng Viet) with the 129F

--- The rest I got covered in detail

Thanks for the help guys and apologize for the noob questions. It was my decision to not use an attorney, so dont want to screw this up and then live with that type of regret!

For HCMC send it all at the beginning. You want it there before the interview for the CO to review. Anything new bought to the interview is reviewed afterwards (and no visa is issued at that point).

For the timeline some folks have done them in narrative style. Others outline/bullet point. You just want to give a good picture of the evolution of your relationship. Nothing too juicy.

Do some looking in the Vietnam forum for threads talking about timelines. You think that we've beaten the Dam Hoi thing to death? Wait til you see the timeline discussion............

[luckytxn 2,264]

For HCMC send it all at the beginning. You want it there before the interview for the CO to review. Anything new bought to the interview is reviewed afterwards (and no visa is issued at that point).

For the timeline some folks have done them in narrative style. Others outline/bullet point. You just want to give a good picture of the evolution of your relationship. Nothing too juicy.

Do some looking in the Vietnam forum for threads talking about timelines. You think that we've beaten the Dam Hoi thing to death? Wait til you see the timeline discussion............

I will peruse and see if I can find it. That was a good thread and several different styled time lines were in it. Yes the discussion was fun at times. Even my timeline criticism hurt my feelings just a tad.