Not so swell in Frankfurt

[paulfrederic 0]

Hello Forum!

Last monday me and my wife (currently living in Berlin) travelled to Frankfurt for our appointment at the usics, and we submitted the I-130.

The issue is mostly with the bonafide marriage proof.

Most of our documentation proving that we've been living together the last 4 years were receipts and documents from which the only relevant piece of information was our name and address and date (all of which stay the same no matter what language they are in). We didn't translate these documents (some in italian, some in german), and therefore they were not accepted. (I know!, huge fail on our behalf).

They did accept some photos though...

So, they told us to email them with these documents and the translation, as further support documentation of our case.

Now, a few question to you guys, what do you think our chances are? will the emailed documents make it to the file? we haven't received NOA1 yet, so, should we wait until that, or should I email ASAP?

We didn't think this bonafide evidence was such a big deal, but now after the fact, reading the forum, and the huge comprehensive list of things some people submit, we are totally disheartened.

Any word of advice?

[Confusedtinybird 41]

You said you had receipts and documents?

Can you clarify what you mean by those items?

Some things I used were:

Christmas Cards addresses to both of us

Birthday Cards addressed to both of us

Bills:

In my name but showed the address where I was living with my husband

Package from the post office addressed to me

Even though I think you should be fine you can always add a couple affidavit from friends and family members (even though they hold little to no weight) you could use it too bulk up your evidence.

[paulfrederic 0]

Hey there,

Thanks, I guess postal stuff is a good idea. Also, we just asked some friends for affidavits. Thanks for the advice!

I'm just a little worried about sending it by email after already filing the I-130

Have you (or anyone here) ever sent supporting documentation before NOA1 by email or post?

Do you think they will receive it and add it to our files?

[Confusedtinybird 41]

Since you are dealing directly with the Embassy I think they might look at them. I would e-mail them and put something in the subject lines 'Beneficiary Last Name Supporting Doc I-130' I would also call 3 days after you e-mailed your documents in just to make sure they were received and went to the correct department.

We didn't do anything by post (but I did DCF in South Africa) it was all done by e-mail.

[paulfrederic 0]

Cool! Thanks a lot Confusedtinybird.

It kinda sucked at the embassy, when they rejected these documents. I know it seems dumb, but we took so long to prepare everything, and we thought everything was good, never expected to have these things bounced back. Anyways, hopefully they will read the emails.

Anyone else in the forum has had any experience emailing further documentation?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think with DCF and a low fraud embassy, it will not matter much. You can go to the interview together and you can bring more evidence then. I wouldn't worry about it.

Edited September 10, 2014 by Harpa Timsah

[paulfrederic 0]

Hello Harpa, thanks for your reply.

Yes, we hope the I-130 gets approved and we will bring all this documentation to the interview.

I just hope they file the email together with the I-130.

[Baby's Girl 1]

When we dropped off our I-130 in Frankfurt we were also told we need to submit more evidence. We had pictures, joint bank accounts and insurances etc.

The guy there said he wants evidence we're "watching the same TV, eating the same dinner und sleeping in the same bed"... I was worried too but our I-130 got approved in 13 days and we're super excited and relieved everything went so well after all... I am totally with Harpa - you should be good with what you submitted!!

Good luck

[paulfrederic 0]

Thank for all your replies!

I received in the mail an RFE, which was emitted the day after we submitted the I-130 (Even prior to me emailing this evidence).

Should I print this stuff I emailed and send it with the RFE just in case?

About translations, did all of you have the documents translated by an official registered translator?

Thanks for all the help!!

[Stressed Out 81]

You can do the translations yourself. I'm not emailing my RFE stuff, I'm sending it all in a DHL Express Brief...it'll get there the next business day around 9-11am without paying extra. I want them to see original signatures on my translation certifications.

Here's what you include at the bottom (or attached to) of the translated document:

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

[paulfrederic 0]

Hello Stressed out! thanks for your reply.

I received an email from uscis about a week ago saying that they got all the documents that I sent, and that the case is with the officer for review.

I'm taking this as a NOA. I wonder how long it will take until we get the i-130 approved (or declined, although hopefully that wont be the case!).

I sent them about 40 pages of bonafide evidence, hopefully that should be enough.

My kindest regards to everyone replying, and helping out!

[Stressed Out 81]

Sounds like you've already had your NOA1; if you submit in person you pretty much have an instant NOA since you physically hand it to them...otherwise, like in my case, you got an NOA1 with your RFE. NOA1 is just letting you know they didn't lose your packet and that it's processing. Sounds like you just got a confirmation that the RFE reply packet was received.

I sent a 33-page RFE (also regarding marriage evidence) just two days ago, so all we can do is wait now for our NOA2's. People on here were saying I had a lot of evidence and they didn't have nearly as much as me, but they still got approved, so I'm sure you're fine. Good luck to you and me!

Edited October 2, 2014 by Stressed Out

[paulfrederic 0]

Just received the I-130 approval notice today! Very happy right now!

[Stressed Out 81]

Congratulations! You and Baby's Girl seem to have been approved super fast, so I'm hoping that we'll be approved within the next couple weeks as well.

[paulfrederic 0]

Hello Everyone.

We are getting ready to mail the package 3 and 4.

But the information regarding the content is a bit confusing.

I've read in several posts that you have to mail the following:

-Original and a copy of Birth certificate

-Original and a copy of Marriage certificate

-Original Form I-864

-Original form DS-230 Part I and II

-(Both original and copy of divorce certificate if applies)

-Photocopy of passport

-Original Police certificate of current location, and every other location (6+ months)

-And the whole medical examination report thing

So, does this sound good? I think its a bit strange we would have to send the original birth certificate and marriage certificate. Shouldn't we just send the copies and bring the originals to the interview?

I know there is a lot of info on the forum, I've been reading a ton.

Just asking to confirm with you guys who went through (or are in) the same situation right now.

Kindest Regards to all!!