I-130 to bring spouse over

[LadyDavid 0]

I see that they require either the original or a certified "long" birth certificate. What is a "long" cert, is there an example of one around, or can someone tell me what is required on it? He lost his original, doesn't live in his country of birth, & the only living relative alive at the time of his birth is a sister who was 2 1/2 at the time he was born. They are the oldest. He says he got a certified certificate done in Gambia where he lives but hasn't sent it yet. He does have his passport and visa from his country of origin. Can anyone explain this as I want everything right, we've been married a year now. Thank you.

[LadyDavid 0]

OK, I have more questions! For evidence of a bonifide marriage they docs showing joint ownership or property, a lease showing joint tenancy of a common residence or documentation showing co-mingling of financial resources...

How is it possible to do any of these when the person lives out of the country & needs to sign lease agreements, bank account agreements & show proof of ID. My manager said, they can't do it. Can I register my car in both our names, or will he have to be there as well? Also the sworn to/affirmed affidavits...why don't they just say notarized and make it simple? Geez, the beaurocratic red-tape/paperwork is unreal! I realize that they need to be careful & understand that. If I had known how much we needed to do before hand I would have tried to deal with it then. That bad thing for him is he has to go to another country to deal with the immigration stuff and doesn't know anyone there, so it will be costly for him to go.

[together4evr 360]

Get a credit card on your account with his name.

Put him as your life insurance beneficiary

Put him on your health insurance (if allowed)

Have him put you on his bank account when you visit him.

Get a magazine subscription in BOTH your names

Did you BOTH stay in a hotel or apartment. Get a lease or bill with both names

Did you rent a car?

Did you go out to eat.? keep receipts

Did he buy you gifts?

Did you send him western union money?

Did you buy him gifts

many more things you can do to show co-mingling of finances

Edited December 26, 2011 by togetherforever13

[sergeman 0]

I see that they require either the original or a certified "long" birth certificate. What is a "long" cert, is there an example of one around, or can someone tell me what is required on it? He lost his original, doesn't live in his country of birth, & the only living relative alive at the time of his birth is a sister who was 2 1/2 at the time he was born. They are the oldest. He says he got a certified certificate done in Gambia where he lives but hasn't sent it yet. He does have his passport and visa from his country of origin. Can anyone explain this as I want everything right, we've been married a year now. Thank you.

The certificate must contain the:

• Your date of birth
  
• Your place of birth
  
• Names of both parents
  
• Indication by the appropriate authority that it is an extract from the official records
  

Unobtainable birth certificates

If your birth record is not obtainable for any reason, a certified statement must be obtained from the appropriate government authority explaining why your birth record is unavailable. You must also submit secondary evidence such as:

• A baptismal certificate that contains the date and place of birth, as well as both parents names (providing the baptism took place shortly after birth)
  
• An adoption decree for an adopted child
  
• An affidavit from a close relative, preferably your mother, stating the date and place of birth, both parents names, and your mother’s maiden name.
  

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3195.html#certificates

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I have merged these two threads together as they are both about completing the I-130 petition. It is a good idea to continue the discussion about the same thing in one continuing thread rather than starting a new question for each part of the process. That keeps everything all together and allows for continuity.

[jjc 0]

I noticed your said your husband is having to go to another country to work out his immigration things, is that because they do not handle these types of things at the embassy in The Gambia? Is he working with the embassy in Senegal? I'm just curios as my fiance in the Gambia has been trying to figure out the best way for us to handle his visa but has been getting mixed information. The whole process is quite confusing but we keep praying for the right direction to take. Good luck to you and your husband.

[LadyDavid 0]

I noticed your said your husband is having to go to another country to work out his immigration things, is that because they do not handle these types of things at the embassy in The Gambia? Is he working with the embassy in Senegal? I'm just curios as my fiance in the Gambia has been trying to figure out the best way for us to handle his visa but has been getting mixed information. The whole process is quite confusing but we keep praying for the right direction to take. Good luck to you and your husband.

He lives in Gambia but Dakar, Senegal is where he has to go for interview, etc. regarding immigration. We should keep in touch and help each other out. I was told at the Gambian Consulate that all immigration matters have to go through Dakar.

[LadyDavid 0]

Get a credit card on your account with his name.

Put him as your life insurance beneficiary

Put him on your health insurance (if allowed)

Have him put you on his bank account when you visit him.

Get a magazine subscription in BOTH your names

Did you BOTH stay in a hotel or apartment. Get a lease or bill with both names

Did you rent a car?

Did you go out to eat.? keep receipts

Did he buy you gifts?

Did you send him western union money?

Did you buy him gifts

many more things you can do to show co-mingling of finances

No timeline yet as I haven't all the docs to file yet. Am also still trying to figure all this out. Thanks!

[LadyDavid 0]

No timeline yet as I haven't all the docs to file yet. Am also still trying to figure all this out. Thanks!

Oh, thanks for the info , that really helps!