I-130 Proof of Bona Fide Marriage??

[celtichobbit 0]

Awesome, thanks so much!! do you know if I need to send a copy or a certified copy of my Consular Report of Birth Abroad? it doesn't specify.

[cathy2904 97]

Ooh, I don't know about that but generally it seems to be copies to USCIS and originals/certified copies to NVC later on. If you have or can get a spare certified copy then you could send that to be on the safe side I guess.

Edited May 21, 2012 by cathy2904

[celtichobbit 0]

how do y'all think this one works? i took out the address, but obviously will put it back in before sending it

Affidavit from Marilynn Methven2.doc

Edited May 21, 2012 by celtichobbit

[cathy2904 97]

It looks fine to me. Ours were much shorter but I think having one from your mum is good.

[celtichobbit 0]

It looks fine to me. Ours were much shorter but I think having one from your mum is good.

Great thanks, I've got this one for her, and I've got another one we're working on for my brother, it won't matter if these are from family will they? with us being in different places we don't have too many mutual friends that have seen us together that much.

[cathy2904 97]

I don't think so. We were worried that ours were only from friends and not family!

[celtichobbit 0]

I don't think so. We were worried that ours were only from friends and not family!

Haha! that's so funny, opposite worries

We just really want this to work out fine, we both miss each other so much, hard to be apart especially when it's pretty much in someone else's hands whether or not we can be together with all this. But I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this, thanks so much for all the help!

One thing I am still a little lost on is how to compile all of this, there's a little info on here but should I use folders, paper clips, staples? also, for the passport style photos is it okay if I put them in a small envelope so they don't get lost or does it even matter

Once again, thank you so much for being so helpful

[Ryan H 3,812]

how do y'all think this one works? i took out the address, but obviously will put it back in before sending it

This one is better.

it won't matter if these are from family will they?

No, it will not matter. When I filed, I opted to include statements and they only came from family.

[celtichobbit 0]

Great, thanks

I know I've been asking loads of little questions but I was just wondering what counts as proof of legal name change? I have a receipt from the Social Security Administration for a new ssn card but it doesn't specify it was for a name change, do I just write that in the info in the cover letter or write a note on the receipt? thats the other thing, do I just write a note for what things are on those things or write it in the cover letter? should I number the pages or use tabs or what for the line-up?

[cathy2904 97]

Not exactly sure what you mean by proof of legal name change. If you mean to your husband's surname then it would be your marriage certificate.

As for the organization - maybe just group documents together with paperclips and write a list of what is included on the cover letter. They will take it all apart and organize it the way they want it so no point in doing anything too fancy.

Edited May 23, 2012 by cathy2904

[celtichobbit 0]

Okay that's great to know thanks,

One thing is, if my parents write the check for the petition fee then should I explain why it isn't my name on the check?

[cathy2904 97]

I don't think that is necessary but if it gives you peace of mind then by all means do so.

[AandJ 3]

how do y'all think this one works? i took out the address, but obviously will put it back in before sending it

Great! With lots of details! As for the notary, we didn't notarize our affidavits and they were fine...

[AandJ 3]

Haha! that's so funny, opposite worries

We just really want this to work out fine, we both miss each other so much, hard to be apart especially when it's pretty much in someone else's hands whether or not we can be together with all this. But I'm glad to know I'm not alone in this, thanks so much for all the help!

One thing I am still a little lost on is how to compile all of this, there's a little info on here but should I use folders, paper clips, staples? also, for the passport style photos is it okay if I put them in a small envelope so they don't get lost or does it even matter

Once again, thank you so much for being so helpful

For compiling it all use ACCO fastners. On the USCIS website they specifically state they do NOT like paperclips nor staples. Use these fasteners on the top of the papers (you will have to hole punch them) and then what we did was to include little colored post-it tags/arrows with the number that corresponded with our Cover Letter where we listed the packet's contents. Here are some pics if you don't know what they are.

As for our pics, we put 2 in a small ziplock baggy of him and taped the bag to a paper that said 'Passport Style Photo of Beneficiary - NAME' and the same for me but as Petitioner. You place each person's photos right after your g-325a form.

Hope that helps a bit! As you get close to sending it you get all these little questions and doubts, I know

[cathy2904 97]

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=ff053d146a7ee010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD

They don't want you to use staples but there is actually no problem with paper clips - "use ACCO fasteners or heavy clips".

As I said, they will take it apart anyway and order it the way they want it.