About to start the process and have some questions.

[siidman 1]

I met my Fiance about 6 months ago through a mutual friend. We talked on skype for a while and I first visited her last month in Ukraine and I'm going back March 1. Anyway, we've decided to get married and I was originally going to hire an attorney to do this but after asking questions online and so many people saying that there is no need to hire an attorney and this can all be done by myself, this is what I've decided to do. Like everyone going through this I would like to get this done quickly, or as quick as possible, and do it correctly. So I would like to submit the package within the next 4 weeks before I go back to Ukraine. So I guess I'm going to have to have my fiance get the photo and other paperwork together over the next few days and mail it to me. I've been looking through the guides and I'm left with a few questions.

1. Her address is written in Ukranian/Cyrillic so do I write it this way on the from or in the English equivalent?

2. For the proof of an ongoing relationship, we don't send letters or emails because we have skype. I will have the engagement ring reciept, and if I can get this package sent in before I go back I will have the iternerary for my future trip with hotel info as well. Think this will be enough or should I get some more proof together, so any suggestions?

3. On the G325A asking for employment history, do I need to have 5 years? I ask because I worked as a contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan for 18 months starting in 2012. I'd prefer not to have to include this but of course I will.

4. Just to clarify, I dont need a copy of my fiances birth certificate?

I'm sure I will have plenty more questions as I go along, but thanks in advance.

[TabeaK 517]

1) There are two spaces on the I-129F. One for Roman, one for foreign letters. Both for address and name. No problem.

2) For the I-129F you only need to prove having met once in the last 2 years PRECEDING the petition. You can include your future itinerary as proof of ongoing relationship.

3) Yes, you run the risk of getting RFE'ed other wise.

4)No. She needs to bring an original to her interview, not needed at this stage.

Good luck and congratulations on your engagment.

[siidman 1]

Thanks for the reply. Is there a number to call to ask specific questions regarding the G325a? I need to ask about the address thats required on the form since I lived in a camp in Iraq and also Afghanistan.

[Pitaya 2,577]

No, if you have questions that cannot be answered here, you should consider retaining legal counsel. USCIS will not render assistance in filling out the forms.

[TabeaK 517]

I assuming the camp had a name? Then list that, make clear it is in affiliation with the US military and mark all other spaces as none, unkwown or not applicable.

[Pheebs1201 269]

Other proof can include scans of passport stamps, your bank statements demonstrating you spent money in the country she lives (and therefore you must have been in the same country at the same time), photos of you together with the date, location and a list of who is in the photo written on the back etc.

[baron555 934]

1. Her address is written in Ukranian/Cyrillic so do I write it this way on the from or in the English equivalent?

Write in both ways. Attach a separate sheet if requried.

2. For the proof of an ongoing relationship, we don't send letters or emails because we have skype.

Take Skype screenshots and print those...Start emailing and sending letters. Purposefully generate all kinds of evidences. You NEED to prove to a total stranger, the Embassy CO, that you have a legitimate relationship. Your word alone is not good enough. Content is key. It's all about what you talk about.

I will have the engagement ring reciept, and if I can get this package sent in before I go back I will have the iternerary for my future trip with hotel info as well. Think this will be enough or should I get some more proof together, so any suggestions?

NO, future travel documentation is only that. You need evidence of your past meeting in person. If you don't have that, then wait until your March visit and use evidences from that trip.

3. On the G325A asking for employment history, do I need to have 5 years? I ask because I worked as a contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan for 18 months starting in 2012. I'd prefer not to have to include this but of course I will.

Yes include this. Aren't you proud of that work? USCIS knows more secrets about you than you do, so don't worry.

4. Just to clarify, I dont need a copy of my fiances birth certificate?

Correct, only yours.

I'm sure I will have plenty more questions as I go along, but thanks in advance.

Lawyer not required unless you have money to burn.

[siidman 1]

Thanks for the replies, helps a lot and I'm sure I'll have more questions as this moves along. And of course I'm not ashamed of working as a contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, I just don't want there to be any issue when I can't put a street address but just minimal info like a camp name.

[baron555 934]

Thanks for the replies, helps a lot and I'm sure I'll have more questions as this moves along. And of course I'm not ashamed of working as a contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, I just don't want there to be any issue when I can't put a street address but just minimal info like a camp name.

That's fine, put as much as you can. You're not the only one in this situation and USCIS deals with it all the time. They will ask for more info if they want it.

[siidman 1]

As far as my fiances initial required documents go, can they be filled out, signed, scanned and sent to me instead of mailing?

[TabeaK 517]

No. She needs to send you a picture and a hand signed letter of intenti to marry. Might as well sign the G325a then, though ancedotally, USCIS accepts copies for the latter.

Is your fiance from Easter Ukraine? If so, you may have a realistic chance at expediting the petition due to the civil war.

[baron555 934]

As far as my fiances initial required documents go, can they be filled out, signed, scanned and sent to me instead of mailing?

No, you need original signatures on the G-325A and the Letter of Intent.