Loss of supporting documents

[Aileen and Steve 4]

After 5 years I'm finally able to start the K-1 visa process due to a co-sponsor stepping up and offering to help. The big problem now has been caused by the recent typhoon in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. My fiancée lost all her supporting documents (letters, cards, receipts, etc) due to the floods. She has been digging through knee deep mud to find as much as she can. She managed to find her passport, although very muddy. The engagement ring is still lost. Fortunately, she was very good about sending me lots of cards and letters over the past 5 years.

My question is, how important is her proofs for this process?

Because of her losing just about everything, she is worried she will be denied. I told her to take interior pictures of her house of the destruction the flood caused to possibly use as supporting evidence as to loss of proofs. Thankfully, I have copies of all the pictures from when I was there so that part is still covered.

Any insight you can give is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Where are you at in the process? Have you even filed for a petition yet? I can't tell by your timeline. If not, you still have plenty of time to get your evidence together. Most of the evidence she will need will either come from you, or will be stuff she will have to get from the NBI and NSO. If you have a half dozen pieces of the various kinds of evidence she needs to show a continuing engagement, then you have more than enough. The rest is just documents she will need.

Edited January 1, 2012 by ☼

[Book Em Dano 2]

Hello,

You didn't mention it, but hopefully no one in your lives was lost due to Sendong; it has affected so very many people. My fiance lives in Tablon and we're thankful that her family is okay; she lost some friends though.

I'm sorry that the engagement ring was lost. Do you and your fiance have family members that might have taken pictures of you both and that you can get copies of? What about Skype or YM chat session logs? Phone records? I'm definitely not an expert in immigration issues/petitions, but I'd think that in lieu of her documentation being lost, the documentation that you have that references the BOTH of you will be equally important. I think that your suggestion that she take pictures of the interior of the house might be quite helpful...I'd include some outside ones also. The embassy has knowledge of the tragedy that occured so hopefully they'll consider that. Is it possible for either of you to contact the embassy directly and ask for their suggestions? I don't know how that works.

Take care. I'm sure there are more senior VJ members that would have better insight and able to assist you.

Regards.

After 5 years I'm finally able to start the K-1 visa process due to a co-sponsor stepping up and offering to help. The big problem now has been caused by the recent typhoon in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. My fiancée lost all her supporting documents (letters, cards, receipts, etc) due to the floods. She has been digging through knee deep mud to find as much as she can. She managed to find her passport, although very muddy. The engagement ring is still lost. Fortunately, she was very good about sending me lots of cards and letters over the past 5 years.

My question is, how important is her proofs for this process?

Because of her losing just about everything, she is worried she will be denied. I told her to take interior pictures of her house of the destruction the flood caused to possibly use as supporting evidence as to loss of proofs. Thankfully, I have copies of all the pictures from when I was there so that part is still covered.

Any insight you can give is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Aileen and Steve 4]

Hello,

You didn't mention it, but hopefully no one in your lives was lost due to Sendong; it has affected so very many people. My fiance lives in Tablon and we're thankful that her family is okay; she lost some friends though.

I'm sorry that the engagement ring was lost. Do you and your fiance have family members that might have taken pictures of you both and that you can get copies of? What about Skype or YM chat session logs? Phone records? I'm definitely not an expert in immigration issues/petitions, but I'd think that in lieu of her documentation being lost, the documentation that you have that references the BOTH of you will be equally important. I think that your suggestion that she take pictures of the interior of the house might be quite helpful...I'd include some outside ones also. The embassy has knowledge of the tragedy that occured so hopefully they'll consider that. Is it possible for either of you to contact the embassy directly and ask for their suggestions? I don't know how that works.

Take care. I'm sure there are more senior VJ members that would have better insight and able to assist you.

Regards.

Everyone in her family survived. If her 2 nephews had not been coming home from the night cafe around midnight and noticed the river was abnormally high and woke up the family they may not have made it. She did lose one friend and her sister lost at least one friend from school.

I just received a text message from her as I was reading your post. She just found the engagement ring! She is one tough cookie digging through all that mud to find a tiny piece of jewelry.

I have all the photos from my visit there so thats not an issue. I was concerned about the loss of cards, letters, etc that I sent to her. As far as legal documents I know we have plenty of time to get those replaced.

Thanks for the advice on contacting the embassy, I didn't think about doing that.

[Aileen and Steve 4]

Where are you at in the process? Have you even filed for a petition yet? I can't tell by your timeline. If not, you still have plenty of time to get your evidence together. Most of the evidence she will need will either come from you, or will be stuff she will have to get from the NBI and NSO. If you have a half dozen pieces of the various kinds of evidence she needs to show a continuing engagement, then you have more than enough. The rest is just documents she will need.

I will be starting the initial filing in the next week or two.

I think I answered your other questions in my reply to Book Em Dano. I'm extremely tired and can't keep my eyes open, so I may have missed something.

[Zharren Young 32]

sorry to hear about her being affected by the typhoon. good thing she and her family are safe.

since youre still starting to file, dont worry much, send what you have and then while waiting try to build more proof she can show on her interview. another visit would be nicer or prolly being there on her interview. Goodluck

[Tahoma 2,292]

At your sweetheart's interview, the consular officer (CO) will want to see her CENOMAR, NBI clearance, and a few photos. The CO more than likely won't ask for letters, cards, and receipts.

If she's still worried, she can show the CO her flood photos. Also, you can email her some photos for the interview so she has a few of you two together.

I definitely would get the passport replaced because the Embassy won't put a visa in a damaged passport.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Are you attending school? Is that why you need a co-sponsor? The reason I ask is because the Philippines doesn't like to accept co-sponsors for the K1 unless the petitioner is in school. It's a case-by-case basis but you should be aware of this (or anyone else reading).

I'm happy she was fine and WELL DONE! finding the engagement ring!! I'm sure they'll understand that she lost stuff so it's important you send as much of your stuff as you can. Chat records, emails, Western Union receipts, stuff like that.

[Book Em Dano 2]

Aileen/Steve,

Congratulations on the victory of find the engagement ring even in the face of the tragedy and devastation!! Her tenacity in finding it speaks well...maybe some help from above also. Don't know, just saying. That ring will have memories and a story behind it now. Should you have the opportunity to contact the U.S. Embassy, let myself (and VJ members) know what the embassy's response is? Good to know you have pictures available.

Regards,

Daniel/Chel

Everyone in her family survived. If her 2 nephews had not been coming home from the night cafe around midnight and noticed the river was abnormally high and woke up the family they may not have made it. She did lose one friend and her sister lost at least one friend from school.

I just received a text message from her as I was reading your post. She just found the engagement ring! She is one tough cookie digging through all that mud to find a tiny piece of jewelry.

I have all the photos from my visit there so thats not an issue. I was concerned about the loss of cards, letters, etc that I sent to her. As far as legal documents I know we have plenty of time to get those replaced.

Thanks for the advice on contacting the embassy, I didn't think about doing that.

[bigdog 376]

Way to do on all fronts, best wishes.

[Aileen and Steve 4]

At your sweetheart's interview, the consular officer (CO) will want to see her CENOMAR, NBI clearance, and a few photos. The CO more than likely won't ask for letters, cards, and receipts.

Is this normal for most interviews at the Philippines Embassy?

If she's still worried, she can show the CO her flood photos. Also, you can email her some photos for the interview so she has a few of you two together.

I definitely would get the passport replaced because the Embassy won't put a visa in a damaged passport.

Back in March, the last night with her, I copied every photo she had on her hard drive and memory card to my USB stick. That little voice in my head said it was a good idea to do that. Little did I know why I was doing it.

Her passport expires next month and she just sent it in today for renewal.

[Aileen and Steve 4]

sorry to hear about her being affected by the typhoon. good thing she and her family are safe.

since youre still starting to file, dont worry much, send what you have and then while waiting try to build more proof she can show on her interview. another visit would be nicer or prolly being there on her interview. Goodluck

Thanks!

I would like to be there for the interview, but I don't think the finances will allow that to happen.

[Aileen and Steve 4]

Are you attending school? Is that why you need a co-sponsor? The reason I ask is because the Philippines doesn't like to accept co-sponsors for the K1 unless the petitioner is in school. It's a case-by-case basis but you should be aware of this (or anyone else reading).

Just out of curiosity, why is this? And do you have links to more info? I thought it was the US Embassy that did the approvals there.

I'm happy she was fine and WELL DONE! finding the engagement ring!! I'm sure they'll understand that she lost stuff so it's important you send as much of your stuff as you can. Chat records, emails, Western Union receipts, stuff like that.

[Aileen and Steve 4]

Aileen/Steve,

Congratulations on the victory of find the engagement ring even in the face of the tragedy and devastation!! Her tenacity in finding it speaks well...maybe some help from above also. Don't know, just saying. That ring will have memories and a story behind it now. Should you have the opportunity to contact the U.S. Embassy, let myself (and VJ members) know what the embassy's response is? Good to know you have pictures available.

Regards,

Daniel/Chel

I believe there was a lot of help from above.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Just out of curiosity, why is this? And do you have links to more info? I thought it was the US Embassy that did the approvals there.

She meant the US Embassy in Manilla. They don't accept co-sponsors with the I-134, but you may be able to have someone besides the petitioner sponsor your fiance.