Preparing for the Affidavits, question and concern over formality

[BlackBird.91 0]

Below is the info I obtained from VJ guide page. My question is do these affidavits have to be in sealed envelope and notarized? I know all 2-3 of mine will be from US Citzens but not sure about the formality, I assume it should be typed and signed? I'm preparing for this in advance for the interview or in case of RFEs. Thank you very much.

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage)

[Ning 619]

Below is the info I obtained from VJ guide page. My question is do these affidavits have to be in sealed envelope and notarized? I know all 2-3 of mine will be from US Citzens but not sure about the formality, I assume it should be typed and signed? I'm preparing for this in advance for the interview or in case of RFEs. Thank you very much.

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship (Each affidavit must contain the full name and address, date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner of beneficiary, if any, and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage)

Keep in mind as you decide about these affidavits that they are almost worthless because anyone can say anything but it doesn't mean its correct nor the truth.

Also keep in mind the reason they don't need to be notarized is because a notary has zero to do with the content of a document. They simple verify signatures. So the affidavit or letter could be written by the next guy off the bus and signed by a fast food cook and no one know the difference nor care.

This wont come up in the interview nor will you get an RFE about this subject. Concentrate your efforts about the relationship on other more important aspects.

[jerni 24]

I disagree with the last post. While they might not be essential, I think they add diversity to the evidence part of the application. We submitted 3 affidavits from family and friends, all three were notarized. The people writing the affidavits included their contact details, so should USCIS want to verify the information they could be contacted.

I assume it should be typed and signed?

We had 2 typed and 1 handwritten. Our friend who handwrote said it felt more personal that way. They are personal letters attesting to the relationship so we asked people to do what they thought was best.

So the affidavit or letter could be written by the next guy off the bus and signed by a fast food cook and no one know the difference nor care.

I doubt many people would write a false statement then sign their name under a statement like "I affirm under the penalties for perjury that the above-listed facts are true to the best of my knowledge." knowing that it's going to be sent to a government agency.

This wont come up in the interview nor will you get an RFE about this subject.

On this forum there are many threads I've read where people were given RFE's requesting affidavits when there may have been some suspicion at the interview, so they are hardly worthless in the eyes of USCIS if they request them as a way to further confirm that a relationship is bonafide.

Edited October 5, 2013 by jerni

[Ning 619]

I disagree with the last post. While they might not be essential, I think they add diversity to the evidence part of the application. We submitted 3 affidavits from family and friends, all three were notarized. The people writing the affidavits included their contact details, so should USCIS want to verify the information they could be contacted.

We had 2 typed and 1 handwritten. Our friend who handwrote said it felt more personal that way. They are personal letters attesting to the relationship so we asked people to do what they thought was best.

I doubt many people would write a false statement then sign their name under a statement like "I affirm under the penalties for perjury that the above-listed facts are true to the best of my knowledge." knowing that it's going to be sent to a government agency.

On this forum there are many threads I've read where people were given RFE's requesting affidavits when there may have been some suspicion at the interview, so they are hardly worthless in the eyes of USCIS if they request them as a way to further confirm that a relationship is bonafide.

Nothing wrong with a different opinion. These affidavits are considered secondary evidence. One person that worked in an embassy said they threw this type of thing in the trash. If the case hinges on a statement from random people there may be serious problems with the case in general.

Can you indicate just one of those threads that has anything to do with Thailand? Can you also show me where it says such things need to be notarized?

[BlackBird.91 0]

Keep in mind as you decide about these affidavits that they are almost worthless because anyone can say anything but it doesn't mean its correct nor the truth.

Also keep in mind the reason they don't need to be notarized is because a notary has zero to do with the content of a document. They simple verify signatures. So the affidavit or letter could be written by the next guy off the bus and signed by a fast food cook and no one know the difference nor care.

This wont come up in the interview nor will you get an RFE about this subject. Concentrate your efforts about the relationship on other more important aspects.

I disagree with the last post. While they might not be essential, I think they add diversity to the evidence part of the application. We submitted 3 affidavits from family and friends, all three were notarized. The people writing the affidavits included their contact details, so should USCIS want to verify the information they could be contacted.

We had 2 typed and 1 handwritten. Our friend who handwrote said it felt more personal that way. They are personal letters attesting to the relationship so we asked people to do what they thought was best.

I doubt many people would write a false statement then sign their name under a statement like "I affirm under the penalties for perjury that the above-listed facts are true to the best of my knowledge." knowing that it's going to be sent to a government agency.

On this forum there are many threads I've read where people were given RFE's requesting affidavits when there may have been some suspicion at the interview, so they are hardly worthless in the eyes of USCIS if they request them as a way to further confirm that a relationship is bonafide.

Thank you for the input for both Ning and jerni. I will consider all options available here.

The reason I am worried is because I'm still in college even though I have been legal here the whole time for the past 6 years. My spouse is also in Germany as he is stationed over there for the time being. We have not yet lived together but have been together for 2 years. Have all the evidence as far as pictures and family and friends.

We started out joint banking account not long ago. I know I can tell you guys that we are legitimate but I know USCIS may questioned these things critically, so I just wanna be prepared.

Thank you for the put again.

[Ning 619]

Thank you for the input for both Ning and jerni. I will consider all options available here.

The reason I am worried is because I'm still in college even though I have been legal here the whole time for the past 6 years. My spouse is also in Germany as he is stationed over there for the time being. We have not yet lived together but have been together for 2 years. Have all the evidence as far as pictures and family and friends.

We started out joint banking account not long ago. I know I can tell you guys that we are legitimate but I know USCIS may questioned these things critically, so I just wanna be prepared.

Thank you for the put again. Your mentioned evidence is going to suffice. I don't think you will have any problem as long as the docs are correct and he makes sure the support portion is done correctly.

You must be talking about doing the AOS to become an LPR.

This idea of affidavits applies more to K 1 cases anyway. I didn't realize you were married until now. That means to me you will have even less to worry about. In my own case we were together two years as you have been for example and they didn't ask one question about the relationship when I interviewed for a visa nor at the AOS meeting. They certainly didnt ask for these affidavits; just the marriage cert. Your case is stronger than mine was simply because you have been in the USA as a legal person for so long and in college at that.

Just make sure the docs are correct and your husband submits the support info that is required and you should have no problem with the case.

[BlackBird.91 0]

You must be talking about doing the AOS to become an LPR.

This idea of affidavits applies more to K 1 cases anyway. I didn't realize you were married until now. That means to me you will have even less to worry about. In my own case we were together two years as you have been for example and they didn't ask one question about the relationship when I interviewed for a visa nor at the AOS meeting. They certainly didnt ask for these affidavits; just the marriage cert. Your case is stronger than mine was simply because you have been in the USA as a legal person for so long and in college at that.

Just make sure the docs are correct and your husband submits the support info that is required and you should have no problem with the case.

Yeah that's what I'm talking about, my apology for not making that clear.

Thank you for saying that, it lifted my worries quite a bit. It's just the part that we have not lived together in the same address with shared lease or owner of a house. I will make sure of all those documents, definitely. Appreciate the reply!

[Ning 619]

Yeah that's what I'm talking about, my apology for not making that clear.

Thank you for saying that, it lifted my worries quite a bit. It's just the part that we have not lived together in the same address with shared lease or owner of a house. I will make sure of all those documents, definitely. Appreciate the reply!

Yes but the reason you haven't lived together is valid enough and easy to understand. You being a student and him in the U S military is totally understandable and a great reason to be apart as well as the perfect reason for the AOS.

We all worry our way though this but you will see there is no reason to do so really. Relax and plan out the time you will soon have with your husband rather than spend time worrying about the outcome of this.