Question about sworn affidavit (for marriage authenticity)

[dakroww 1]

Hello,

I am an American living in Colombia for nearly two years with my wife (legally married in Colombia). We have nearly finished preparing our gigantic packet of proof etc. I just got a reply that it is not necessary to apostille your documents in your I-130 application package, only that they are translated by a certified English Translator, but I was considering adding a sworn affidavit or two, from a few friends we have in Colombia who can read and write in English just fine. Do these documents have to be notarized and appostilled, because I know something notarized overseas is meaningless without an appostille. This is an example of our cover page now without the sworn affidavits, do I need anything else. Or is this overkill enough? Please some help and or suggestions

MainCoverPageSample.pdf

Edited April 10, 2014 by dakroww

[pushbrk 12,893]

You will not ever need an appostille in this process. I would skip any affidavits. You've been living together in Colombia for some time. Evidence of that is sufficient.

Ouch for you though. Lots of problems with your cover page starting with the header.

1. You are applying for nothing. You're filing an I-130 petition.
2. You need only one G1145 for an I-130 filing.
3. You do not "sign" passport photos. Print the full name on the back of each. No phone number needed on these photos.
4. If you have a photocopy of a certified copy of the USC's birth certificate, there's no need for every page of the passport
5. Instead of every page of the passport, provide only pages that evidence your time together in Colombia.
6. Intending Immigrant Birth Certificate is not part of the I-130 package. It comes later when applying for the visa

You have more than enough relationship evidence. Affidavits from friends are more likely to hurt than help but most likely they will simply be a waste of time and effort.

Edited April 10, 2014 by pushbrk

[tim131 14]

You will not ever need an appostille in this process. I would skip any affidavits. You've been living together in Colombia for some time. Evidence of that is sufficient.

Ouch for you though. Lots of problems with your cover page starting with the header.

1. You are applying for nothing. You're filing an I-130 petition.
2. You need only one G1145 for an I-130 filing.
3. You do not "sign" passport photos. Print the full name on the back of each. No phone number needed on these photos.
4. If you have a photocopy of a certified copy of the USC's birth certificate, there's no need for every page of the passport
5. Instead of every page of the passport, provide only pages that evidence your time together in Colombia.
6. Intending Immigrant Birth Certificate is not part of the I-130 package. It comes later when applying for the visa

You have more than enough relationship evidence. Affidavits from friends are more likely to hurt than help but most likely they will simply be a waste of time and effort.

Out of interest why would they be more likely to hurt their application?

Cheers,

Tim

[pushbrk 12,893]

It looks desperate. The key is they don't actually help and are most likely going to be meaningless. Since they won't help in your situation, that leaves only meaningless or hurt.

[fania&nelson 20]

Hi, attached you'll see my cover letter template which I wrote last year on april, it has a list of all the things I sent and I just got my case complete from NVC last friday. I'm now waiting for my appointment to be scheduled by the embassy, and can say I had no problems with USCIS (besides the long wait for their approval due to backlog or whatever it is that they called it) so i guess our small packet worked. Just saying. I mean, don't go crazy with evidence and stuff in this stage or the nvc stage, just send what's necessary and a few extras.

Good luck and have a happy short Journey

What he couldn't find wass his birth certificate, not his passport lol

cover letter.pdf

Edited April 10, 2014 by fania&nelson