I-130 preparation questions (split topic)

[NikLR 13,227]

Hi NLR,

Regarding some of the supported documents, such as pictures etc. Do you suggest placing the pictures on an 8x10 white sheet of paper for each picture? With dates etc.

Thanks!

I suggest printing pictures directly onto the page if at all possible. It will save money in weight.

[luukee 19]

I suggest printing pictures directly onto the page if at all possible. It will save money in weight.

Thanks NLR. I think my printer's picture printing quality on paper isn't so great. So I'll just get store prints for those. Your wiki on support is awesome. Thank you for doing that for me and anyone who reads it.

[luukee 19]

Hey guys, regarding pictures, how many pictures would you guys recommend putting in your packet? And also what types of pictures? Serious ones, fun ones? I guess the obvious ones are the wedding photos and trips together. But do you guys have any suggestions out of those.

Thanks guys! Trying to get this all together. Also thanks Ryan for the tip regarding Affidavits. I was going to ask my friends and family to do some for me, but if the weight is not really worth it, then I rather focus my time gathering all the other important data.

[cx_n_ova 1]

Hi NLR,

Regarding some of the supported documents, such as pictures etc. Do you suggest placing the pictures on an 8x10 white sheet of paper for each picture? With dates etc.

Thanks!

Hi Lukee,

In my case, I printed out photos of us together (trips, visiting him, with his family, with friends) directly from Facebook ( with dates and comments form friends etc) on the A4 papers and wrote descriptions and signed on each paper after that. And arranged chronologically. Around 20 pics I think. Some pictures are quite funny

GL!

Edited April 23, 2014 by cx_n_ova

[TeaCup 65]

Hey guys, regarding pictures, how many pictures would you guys recommend putting in your packet? And also what types of pictures? Serious ones, fun ones? I guess the obvious ones are the wedding photos and trips together. But do you guys have any suggestions out of those.

Thanks guys! Trying to get this all together. Also thanks Ryan for the tip regarding Affidavits. I was going to ask my friends and family to do some for me, but if the weight is not really worth it, then I rather focus my time gathering all the other important data.

I printed about 20 pictures on 4x7 size paper.

I grouped our photos, wedding together, photos with friends and family and then pictures of just the two of us on trips etc.

[luukee 19]

Hi Lukee,

In my case, I printed out photos of us together (trips, visiting him, with his family, with friends) directly from Facebook ( with dates and comments form friends etc) on the A4 papers and wrote descriptions and signed on each paper after that. And arranged chronologically. Around 20 pics I think. Some pictures are quite funny

GL!

Thanks for the tips cx_n_ova!

I was thinking something similar too, in chronological order. When I started to find pictures and dated them (real nice that most of the devices out there actually has a property "date Taken" which really helps), I feel like the pictures being in this order will also show the progression of our relationship.

[luukee 19]

I printed about 20 pictures on 4x7 size paper.

I grouped our photos, wedding together, photos with friends and family and then pictures of just the two of us on trips etc.

Thanks again for more advice teacup, it sounds like 20 pictures is about enough. cx_n_ova also had 20 pictures as well.

did you guys stack them? for example 2 pictures per page? Since 1 page could probably hold 2 4x6in photos.

[luukee 19]

Hey guys,

in preparing to send your stuff, what kind of folders did you guys use?

I've been reading this site (http://www.uscis.gov/forms/forms-and-fees/general-tips-assembling-applications-mailing)

and have been to several stores in the past couple of days (Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club, Staples) And some of the stuff they have just doesn't seem to be good or at least doesn't look like they'll be easily disassembled.

I'm having a hard time looking for a folder, did you guys those yellow manila folders?

so far, I've got my prong fasteners (similar to those ACCO fasteners) already and some of those tab/flags. I'm just wondering how big this folder would be. These prong fasteners would go great with the yellow manila folders, But do those manila folders have enough room for all of the documents?

How big were your packets? Also, which carrier did you guys use?

http://www.uscis.gov/i-130-addresses

Seems like the address to send is different if you use USPS vs. other couriers. Will either of this get to the processors faster (I don't mean delivery time, rather is one preferred over the other?)

Thanks again guys!

have a great evening

[Ryan H 3,812]

Just paperclip things together and use large binder clips for the package. Don't bother with manila folders, prong fasteners, or tabs/flags. Those are only going to be removed and thrown out.

Size of the package does not matter, it's the quality of evidence that you enclosed (FWIW, my I-130 package was nearly 5cm high).

I submitted the file using USPS Priority Mail.

[luukee 19]

Just paperclip things together and use large binder clips for the package. Don't bother with manila folders, prong fasteners, or tabs/flags. Those are only going to be removed and thrown out.

Size of the package does not matter, it's the quality of evidence that you enclosed (FWIW, my I-130 package was nearly 5cm high).

I submitted the file using USPS Priority Mail.

Thanks for the tip and quick response Ryan. Wow 5cm, so that's about 2 inches.

Ryan, in another post you sent on a different thread, where you mentioned we could translate chats, certificates, any supportive evidence by ourselves if we're fluent in those languages right?

Another question is, do we just need one page stating that we certify ourselves as the translator, or do we have to put this certification on each paper that requires translation?

==================

The certification format should include the certifier's name, signature, address, and date of certification. A suggested format is:

Certification by Translator

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

Signature_________________________________

Date Typed Name

Address

[Ryan H 3,812]

Ryan, in another post you sent on a different thread, where you mentioned we could translate chats, certificates, any supportive evidence by ourselves if we're fluent in those languages right?

Another question is, do we just need one page stating that we certify ourselves as the translator, or do we have to put this certification on each paper that requires translation?

Attestation statements need to accompany item, but they are not needed for every page. For example, if a certificate was two pages, only one attestation statement is needed.

There is no rule that I know of that says you can't do the translations yourself if you are fluent in the language. One notable exception that I was made aware of is USCIS is specifically requiring translations of Chinese documents be done by a Chinese Notary Office.

Also, it is not necessary to translate evidence items such as chats, emails, personal letters etc. If you want to do that, you can.

[luukee 19]

Attestation statements need to accompany item, but they are not needed for every page. For example, if a certificate was two pages, only one attestation statement is needed.

There is no rule that I know of that says you can't do the translations yourself if you are fluent in the language. One notable exception that I was made aware of is USCIS is specifically requiring translations of Chinese documents be done by a Chinese Notary Office.

Also, it is not necessary to translate evidence items such as chats, emails, personal letters etc. If you want to do that, you can.

Thanks so much Ryan. I was going to select a few pages of chat per month and then translate them. It would've takened days to do that.

we got married here in the states, so our certificate is in English. I'm not sure what else is normally needed to be translated but that seems to be the big one.

For your pictures, did you also dated them and added your own description of the photo? such as Date, Time, place/location, with (names of people) friends or family?

[Ryan H 3,812]

For your pictures, did you also dated them and added your own description of the photo? such as Date, Time, place/location, with (names of people) friends or family?

Yes

[luukee 19]

Yes

cool thanks again Ryan. good night!

[luukee 19]

Hey guys,

I was wondering what you guys thought of in terms of the cover letter for the packet.

There's one by Marie and Curt that looks pretty good/complete.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/459129-is-my-i-130-cover-letter-correct-hows-my-1-130-package/

Did you guys also include an extra letter explaining your relationship?

AriannaC wrote in this post:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/492102-preparing-i-130-form/

Letter explaining our relationship history, marriage, and our future plans together

According to the guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1

2. Cover Letter. Should include a description of what your are petitioning for (I-130), a table of contents (list everything in the packet). If you need additional room to explain your case, attach a separate sheet (list the attachment on the cover sheet). Make sure to sign and date the cover sheet.

Thanks guys!