CR1-IR1 from France

[danzz 11]

Hi,

My (American) wife and I are currently living in Paris (where we met and got married) and are planing to move to the US, so we're working on the I-130, and of course even with extensive research, some things are not very clear.

2 questions that I can think of right now:

-This page says that the Livret de famille is not accepted as a wedding certificate, what should I bring?

-This topic indicates that to be placed in the fast track after sending the i-130 to the chicago lockbox the form should only include our foreign address, can we still list her parent's address as place where we will be residing in the US (the form asks for one) ?

Of course any other advice would be appreciated, especially by people who have gone through the same process in France.

Thanks

[danzz 11]

Update:

I believe I found the answer to the first question but I have a new one, about the pictures to send for the i130 and bring to the embassy for the interview. The requirements seem very strict, has anyone tried sending normal photomaton pictures like the ones necessary for biometric passports in France? Was it acceptable?

[Americanfromage 0]

I went to my interview in Paris last month. The photo requirements are strict. The "photomaton pictures" that are used in France do not match the USA requirements. Most photographers can easily take the pictures you need. They do have a photo machine inside the embassy, but I would not want to risk not having the pictures for your interview. What if the machine did not work that day! The picutres were the first thing they asked for. Good Luck!

[danzz 11]

Thank you!

I found a photographer that does them all the time next door.

I have another question about the translator you use? There doesn't seem to be any requirements except for that letter the translator has to sign certifying it's accurate, does that mean that we can use any bilingual person we want? I have an American friend finishing interpreter school that's in Paris right now so if we can save some money and throw him some work that would be great.

[louati13 5]

Thank you!

I found a photographer that does them all the time next door.

I have another question about the translator you use? There doesn't seem to be any requirements except for that letter the translator has to sign certifying it's accurate, does that mean that we can use any bilingual person we want? I have an American friend finishing interpreter school that's in Paris right now so if we can save some money and throw him some work that would be great.

Yes. This is what the I 130 instructions say: Translations. Any foreign language document must be accompanied by a full English translation that the translator has certified as complete and correct, and by the translator's certification that he or she is competent to translate the foreign language into English.

Basically, you just need to include a sheet with a statement saying that they are fluent in both languages. I translated the documents myself, and this is what I attached to each document:

Certification by Translator

I [typed name], certify that I am fluent in the English and French languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.

Signature_________________________________

Date Typed Name

Address

[louati13 5]

Hi,

My (American) wife and I are currently living in Paris (where we met and got married) and are planing to move to the US, so we're working on the I-130, and of course even with extensive research, some things are not very clear.

2 questions that I can think of right now:

-This page says that the Livret de famille is not accepted as a wedding certificate, what should I bring?

In regards to your first question, you need to provide an "extrait d'acte de mariage, copie integrale", you can order one online on this website, free of charge:

https://www.acte-etat-civil.fr/DemandeActe/Accueil.do

[danzz 11]

Thanks a lot, I'd figured the marriage certificate thing and got it today from the Mairie.

I guess all we're missing at this point is a letter from our bank saying we have a joint checking account and we'll be all set.