FRANCE Help and tips

[Mumu 10]

I thought about giving a little help about what i'm going through for future French, just in case.

I'm starting the k-1 Process and when I was looking for a translator, I found a place where they do it only for 25€ which is cheap, if you compare to others. But it needs to be "assermenté". Instead of going on websites, try to go to places like the one I found in Grenoble (ADATE). They take care of immigration themselves so they work with translators

Also I found a French forum where French went through the same thing but they don't often go to respond. But if you need to see it, you can ask me in private message and I'll give it to you for I don't know if I'm allowed here.

Make sure about the passport pictures 2x2 inches, which is 5x5 cm (sur fond blanc!), to go to a photograph that is approved by the US Embassy in Paris. They give the list of a lot of things. If you call them, it's 14€ the call and they have the guts to not answer everything you ask!!! So before calling them, collect ALL your questions for one call!!!

The Consulates don't even give infos, only Paris, but I found a nice woman who answered me anyway!!!

For the birth certificate, it's so fast if you go online! You receive it within two days if you don't live in the city you were born.

Also, we never know, but I keep in mind to have the "Publication des bans" at the City Hall, just in case, we want to move back to France. We never know but it could delay for our return. So what I did is I went to the French Immigration to see what they need for the ones who want to come back with or without their husband/wife. We have to prove them we were married in the US. So it's not a big deal but it's better if it's done and then they send us the "Livret de Famille". Even if we have the double nationality!!!

For the birth certificate it's better to ask "Copie intégrale" because you have all the details.

There's something that bothers me but the woman who takes care of our case told me to stick with what they ask, it's the "PACS". I hope they won't ask anything about it since it's considered as a marriage in France... I have a big doubt because it's written on my Extrait de naissance too!!!

We really have to think ahead and check things more than twice!

If there's something new, I'll let you know.

[Mumu 10]

I just had the USCIS and the man told me that it's better to have more papers than what's required since a PACS is registered on a Birth Certificate.

Good to know so it doesn't delay the process and since this PACS is really specific to France, they might not know it exists.

[didopage 337]

Hi Mumu,

Welcome on VJ. I went through the K-1 process and am done with it now.

There is a great french-american couples topic here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/320498-frenchamerican-couples-part-ii-2011/page__st__675

Is it an active topic and we often help each others.

You will also find a GREAT page about the Paris Embassy, that past members and myself have updated regularly so future members can have lots of infos on which documents to gather for the interview in Paris and how to get them. The link is here: http://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=France&cty=Paris

No need for a translator if you are competent in both english/french (or other languages your documents are). You can translate yourself BUT add a letter saying you are competent and that you certify the translation is correct (there is an example of letter on VJ).

Process to get a birth certificate depends on where city people were born. Some were born in small village, and they have to ask by phone/letter, and it can take some time. Big cities usually have on online service and it's fast.

Publication des bans is supposed to be obligatory, but a lot of french-american couple didn't do it. I didn't myself, and had no problem with the transcription of my marriage in France. My french consulate did it, I have a Livret de famille now, and french civil records of my marriage. You need to search which French consulate you will be linked with in the US (it depends on where you go live). Some consulates will tell you they want the documents for the publication des bans at least 2 months before the wedding. I agree that the best and proper way of doing thing is to do the publication des bans, but still, it's ok for people who forgot to do it.

I highly recommend you to check the 2 links I sent you, it should help you a lot. Otherwise, you can ask me, I'll be glad to help you.

Please, create a "timeline" on VJ, so we can know at which stage you are in the process. It will also help other members to know how long each stage took for you (you can do the same by looking at other members' timelines).

Edited July 22, 2012 by didopage

[didopage 337]

One question: have your fiance sent the I-129F petition yet? If not, first thing is to worry about it, and the documents to gather are the same for everybody (doesn't matter which county you are from). Check the VJ guide here if you are about to start the whole process: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

To obtain the K-1 visa:

1) The US fiance sends the I-129F petition (along with lots of other documents). After sending it, wait about 4-6 months without answer. One day, the USCIS will approved it if you meet all the requirements.

2) Once the petition is approved, the file is forwarded to the National Visa Center (case number assigned), then forwarded to the local embassy, the Paris one for us.

3) The Paris embassy sends what we call here the "Packet 3". You actually apply for the K-1 visa at the embassy stage.

If you are not at the embassy stage yet, and that the petition package has not been set, no need at all to gather all the docs needed for the embassy. They want, for example, a birth certificate that is less than 3 months old at the time of the interview. Best is to gather all those docs when your I-129F is approved.

[Mumu 10]

Thank you Didopage for all the infos! I'll go read the links!!

I'm waiting for a stupid paper translated which will come on Monday and the person (a professional) helping us with papers told me I had to have the documents translated by a pro, even if I could do it myself It took us a month to get all the papers done!

For the timeline, I have no idea how to do that...

[didopage 337]

For the timeline, click on your pseudo at the top right of this page, and then click on "My timeline (Add/Edit)".

Or click on "Timeline", on the left here:

<--- (this is mine but click on yours)

At which stage are you in the process? Petition package sent? Petition approved? Your case is at the Paris embassy?

Edited July 22, 2012 by didopage

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to Europe & Eurasia regional forum; topic is specific to France.