affidavits of marriage

[mrgump 0]

I have a question regarding who should write a sworn affidavit testifying to my wife and my marriage.

The two of us are in the process of getting the packet for the I-130 petition put together and the only tricky part is the affidavits as finding information of them has proven to be tricky. We met a few years back in Australia and a few months ago I moved back to the US. She spent some time out here on the visa waiver program and we got marriage during that time; however, due to this situation, we have no friends out here that can testify as to how long we've spent together. On the other hand, our friends in Australia haven't technically witnessed us as a married couple although they are aware of our marriage.

My question is, is it alright for us to have our foreign friends write a sworn affidavit of our union even though we haven't been around them married. I just feel that they could provide stronger evidence as they have known us the entire time my wife and I have been together.

If there is anything I can/should further clarify please let me know .

[Pitaya 2,577]

~~duplicate posting removed~~

[Ryan H 3,812]

Affidavits are not required and they carry little to zero weight to begin with.

[pushbrk 12,910]

Affidavits are not required and they carry little to zero weight to begin with.

Correct. Skip the affidavits and provide evidence of the time you've spent together in person.

[sba.rsa 10]

Affidavits helped our case.

1. Affidavit from my father stating this is Indian arranged marriage, i.e. we posted matrimonial ad in Indian newspaper

2. Affidavit from Hubby's father

3. Affidavit from cousin who attended the wedding and knew me my whole life

4. Affidavit from Hubby's friend, who works in the local Government

[pushbrk 12,910]

Affidavits helped our case.

1. Affidavit from my father stating this is Indian arranged marriage, i.e. we posted matrimonial ad in Indian newspaper

2. Affidavit from Hubby's father

3. Affidavit from cousin who attended the wedding and knew me my whole life

4. Affidavit from Hubby's friend, who works in the local Government

You are only stating what you submitted. What makes you think they actually helped? When a couple has a lot of time together in person, affidavits are definitely not needed.

[thedude6752000 360]

You are only stating what you submitted. What makes you think they actually helped? When a couple has a lot of time together in person, affidavits are definitely not needed.

How much is "a lot?" I am taking more than a month for my wedding this month and next month and getting that was like pulling teeth. Altogether, in our two year (going on 3) relationship, we will have spent a little less than 6 months together when I apply for her visa. Is that considered a lot? If not, would an affidavit help in that case?

[sba.rsa 10]

How much is "a lot?" I am taking more than a month for my wedding this month and next month and getting that was like pulling teeth. Altogether, in our two year (going on 3) relationship, we will have spent a little less than 6 months together when I apply for her visa. Is that considered a lot? If not, would an affidavit help in that case?

Because affidavit was written in black and white on the instruction pages, I included it.

People on this forum say affidavit is not necessary. If you think it will help your case, go for it, otherwise, skip it.

[pushbrk 12,910]

How much is "a lot?" I am taking more than a month for my wedding this month and next month and getting that was like pulling teeth. Altogether, in our two year (going on 3) relationship, we will have spent a little less than 6 months together when I apply for her visa. Is that considered a lot? If not, would an affidavit help in that case?

Lots of folks get spouse and fiancee visas after only spending a week or two together, in person. Yes, six months together in person during three years is "plenty" even for India. The OP is bringing a spouse from Australia.

Just to clarify, you will NOT "apply for" a visa for your wife's visa. You will file a petition. When your petition is approved, your wife will apply for a visa based on the approved petition.

[mrgump 0]

Just to clarify, you will NOT "apply for" a visa for your wife's visa. You will file a petition. When your petition is approved, your wife will apply for a visa based on the approved petition.

Ahh alright good to know, thanks. I mean i know the process that we have to go through, it's just little technicalities that are tricky.

So now I'm a little confused as to why affidavits are so pointless if they're included as an option on the packet? But what I really needed to know is if I could use them to prove the length of the time we've been in a relationship as I've been with her for 2 1/2 years in Australia but only recently have been married in the US, therefore most of our close friends cannot testify to our marriage but simply to the relationship.

That said I may take all of your advice and simply put my efforts into other evidence as the affidavits would have to be mailed out from Australia (they'd need to be original forms) and notarized etc...

Thank you for your help everybody

[MrsParker 13]

Because affidavit was written in black and white on the instruction pages, I included it.

People on this forum say affidavit is not necessary. If you think it will help your case, go for it, otherwise, skip it.

I agree with you. Me and my hubby have been together for 8 yrs married 3 in sept. We have a son that will be 2 nov. I included 4 affidavits. One from my sister who introduced us. One from my mom who attened our wedding in jamaica. Two from co workers. I feel include what you feel will help. You listen to everyone when its your life you're dealing with.

[slvrfx576 15]

I recall reading somewhere on this forum where affidavits do help on the I-130, especially if they are from US citizens. So I submitted 6 affidavits, 3 from immediate family members (son, mother, sister) and 3 from friends. They had all met my wife-to-be last summer when she came here for a 2 month visit.

My I-130 went from NOA1 to approved in 80 days. (of course getting it from USCIS to NVC is another story !)

Did the affidavits help ? IDK, but they did not hurt !

[NikLR 13,227]

Reason why affidavits hold little weight; people lie. The notarization simply shows they signed, not that the information was correct before they signed. That would be a sworn oath. Basically include it if you have little evidence otherwise. Or if you want to. We did, but only because we didn't much care if we had an RFE and had back up evidence (plus I'm Canadian.... I wasn't hugely worried.)