wedding pictures in submitting I-I30

[MrsNotBonJovi 18]

I would like to ask how did you organize your wedding pics upon submitting the I-I30 packet? Have you glued the pics in the bond paper or put the pics in the zip lock?

Thanks to all of you.

I put together a bunch of photos--three each of wedding, post-wedding, honeymoon, trips done and pictures with friends--and clipped them topic-wise, wrote the occasion/people's names/place and date on the back of the photographs, put them all in an envelope labeled 'Photos to provide bonafide marriage', then stapled the envelope onto a separate sheet of paper and included that with the regular paperwork. It did not occur to me that I could have printed them out on paper, but I liked doing what I did.

[floridadave 195]

I put our wedding pics with all the others: inside a light weight folder with plastic photo pocket inserts. I think there were 2 pockets on each side of a page. We sent a total of 72 4x6 inch photos (including the wedding pics). I can't recall the sequence I sent them, but I believe the wedding photos were at or neat the top.

I uploaded our photos to Shutterfly.com, and there, applied a text box to all photos. The text box at the bottom of the photo had the date/place photo taken and brief description including who was in the photo.

We ordered 3 copies, one for I-130, one for future use and one for us. Not too expensive if you have them delivered to your home.

Just thinking ahead: If you do electronic processing it will be much more easy. Simply insert the photos in a Word document and merge the Word document into your PDF file and email as part of your DS-230 package. Why? I had additional photos (and other evidence) taken since the I-130 was filed so I wanted NVC and the consulate to have these. Did it help? Dunno, but she did fly through the interview with ease--thank God.

Good Luck!

[SaharaSunset 165]

Although it may be true that technically you aren't "required" to put wedding pics with I-130...the way I see it is why not include them? I kinda figured maybe it would help you bypass the dreaded "interview" (and who knows since there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason as to who has an interview or who doesn't). Don't know yet if thats true as we dont' have an interview scheduled yet - buts here's to hoping.

We used Costco Photo center and made a single page of pictures "collage" (but they come out as just a sheet of pictures, not actually overlapping collage style pics). The title at the top says the date and event (we did wedding and honeymoon pics) and I think it cost $2.00 - super cheap! We did the same for our K-1 Visa app last year. Originally our lawyer said we could glue printed pics to a regular sheet of paper, but when she saw the collage thing she said it was perfect. And it was approved, so I'm thinking the "collage" is an acceptable format.

[Matt1968 13]

Hello,

Why risk a RFE. Yes, photos aren't required, but as you can see almost everyone sends at least some photos and they can only help anyone's case.

Matt

[Mike X Man 37]

72 photos is a little bit bit of overkill lol. I sent about a dozen.

[Matt1968 13]

72 photos is a little bit bit of overkill lol. I sent about a dozen.

lol..agreed. I only sent 8.

Matt

[floridadave 195]

72 photos is a little bit bit of overkill lol. I sent about a dozen.

lol..agreed. I only sent 8.

Matt

Now you tell me

It was my wife's ieda. Something to do with China. She wanted photos of us together with work bosses, mom, family elders, co-workers, etc, etc. I actually cut back some.

Edited March 20, 2012 by floridadave

[dwheels76 5,469]

I'll repeat myself:

Does anyone here realize that at the I-130 stage you just need to prove there is a petition-able relationship?

Wedding Pics and such would go towards proving a "Bone Fide" Marriage which is a completely different standard and isn't in question until the Immigrant Visa Interview at the Embassy.

For the I-130 you prove the petition-able relationship (in this case marriage) by providing a copy of the Marriage Contract (I said contract not certificate because this is the Philippines). A copy of the NSO Registered Marriage Contract is best but in all honesty we only provided a "Certified True Copy" of the Civil Registry version (again a Philippines thing) and encountered no problems.

You have to understand that everyone doesn't get the chance to show their arsenal of evidence at interview that's why we front-load. We are required to send in a BonaFide proof of ongoing relationship. Why would wedding pictures or pictures of trips to spouse not be included. For me I have read too many times the USC reading you don;t front-load no one will read all that save for interview than when interview comes the beneficiary goes in with binders full of evidence and the CO won;t even look at the extra evidence.

Until USCIS says DO NOT send why not put your best foot forward.

[issha2lynden 77]

Why include wedding pics in the I-130 filing? Just include your NSO authenticated Marriage Contract and you'll be fine.

At the I-130 stage they just want you to prove there is a marriage. If there is suspicion of the bone fide(ness) then that will be addressed with additional evidence (such as wedding pics) at the interview.

Yea! why send wedding pics at USCIS stage, we never did and got the petition approved in 4 months time without RFE

[issha2lynden 77]

I'm not sure, but I think the OP is sending pics for proving the Bona Fide marriage, which is asked for in the I-130 instructions on the USCIS site (and in the instruction guides here on VJ). Many people don't have joint bank accounts, co-owned property, sworn affidavits, or birth certificates of children so they will send in photos, chat logs, or anything else they think may help prove that Bona Fide marriage.

I didn't do any of those stuff u mentioned and again got approved at USCIS stage right away without RFE, I just sent passport size photo, birth cert and marriage contract and got the good news in 4 months time!

[Ryan H 3,834]

You have to understand that everyone doesn't get the chance to show their arsenal of evidence at interview that's why we front-load.

:thumbs:

[Jamaican Luv 13]

well I printed about 15 out. Marriage ones, family, going out, and with his friends. Took them to Rite Aid printed them out, wrote on the back of them who I was with and Mon. I do believe and put them in a ziplock bag.

[Musashii 21]

Sent in 9 photographs in a clear ziplock bag (Wedding, signing marriage documents, with family).

May not really be required at USCIS stage but does not hurt to be prepared or front load a bit does it?

[floridadave 195]

You have to understand that everyone doesn't get the chance to show their arsenal of evidence at interview that's why we front-load. We are required to send in a BonaFide proof of ongoing relationship. Why would wedding pictures or pictures of trips to spouse not be included. For me I have read too many times the USC reading you don;t front-load no one will read all that save for interview than when interview comes the beneficiary goes in with binders full of evidence and the CO won;t even look at the extra evidence.

Until USCIS says DO NOT send why not put your best foot forward.

Agreed. At the time I did our papers the mantra here on VJ by the experts was to front-load, front-load, front-load. Oh, did I forget, FRONT-LOAD. This is serious business. Why take a chance. Yes it's an extra effort, but give yourself the benefit of the doubt. At interview time the OP's spouse doesn't want to get a "non bona fide" and then think in hindsight, "If only I had sent those photos."

Edited March 21, 2012 by floridadave

[dwheels76 5,469]

Agreed. At the time I did our papers the mantra here on VJ by the experts was to front-load, front-load, front-load. Oh, did I forget, FRONT-LOAD. This is serious business. Why take a chance. Yes it's an extra effort, but give yourself the benefit of the doubt. At interview time the OP's spouse doesn't want to get a "non bona fide" and then think in hindsight, "If only I had sent those photos."

Amen so agree. And I realize its a case by case. Like I have stated so many times on VJ we have a red flag of big age difference (I the USC-woman older). We have a business we have incorporated, power of attorney he gave me while we were dating. Just making that relationship timeline develop along the 3 years almost. Unfortunately for us our wedding pics have been lost. So before the interview I will be going back to Nigeria for visit and we will do now our traditional and formal wedding (would do it even if we had the courthouse wedding pics).

And the adjudicator doesn't have to look at anything. I am sure they just look at requirements check off and that's that. But its good to know its there for their viewing.