Where to put Photos of Step Children?

[ElectricBlue30 0]

Hello,

I'm the U.S. citizen petitioning for my wife and two step children. We live in Australia together.

I know I have to create an I-130 for all 3 of them. Whereas I need to have a G325A filled out for just my wife and I.

The instructions say we both need a passport photo of each of us attached BEHIND the G325A.

Where do I put photos of my step children though?

I'm finding the instructions for step-children in the equation to be very scarce and unclear.

Thank you!

~E

p.s. Bonus Question ;-) I'm following this guide: http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1. As it doesn't say much about the Step Kids... Should I just place all similar information together in the same place of the packet? Example: All I-130s go together: My wife, then step-son, then step-daughter.

[ChristinaG 91]

We are doing the same thing ~ my USC husband petitioned for myself and my two daughters (his step daughters)..... for the most part all the I-130's are treated the same way. Regardless if it is for your spouse or step children, assemble them all in the same order. For the kids, the only difference was that you don't need the proof of relationship like you do with your spouse.... my daughters' files were put together as such: the I-130 form, fee, marriage certificate of USC spouse and I, his prior divorce decree, my prior divorce decree, daughter's birth certificate (long form here in Ontario that shows both birth parents names) on top of this was the G325A and the photos in a little snack-size Ziploc baggie with her name on the back (lightly, in pencil)

We did put all three in the same envelope, but with a large paperclip for each file....

[ElectricBlue30 0]

We are doing the same thing ~ my USC husband petitioned for myself and my two daughters (his step daughters)..... for the most part all the I-130's are treated the same way. Regardless if it is for your spouse or step children, assemble them all in the same order. For the kids, the only difference was that you don't need the proof of relationship like you do with your spouse.... my daughters' files were put together as such: the I-130 form, fee, marriage certificate of USC spouse and I, his prior divorce decree, my prior divorce decree, daughter's birth certificate (long form here in Ontario that shows both birth parents names) on top of this was the G325A and the photos in a little snack-size Ziploc baggie with her name on the back (lightly, in pencil)

We did put all three in the same envelope, but with a large paperclip for each file....

Hi Christina,

Thank you for sharing that. I'm curious if you're certain that's the way it needs to be filed? It sounds like you ended up making an I-130 packet for each person (you and the two daughters), and essentially doubled up (or tripled up!) on providing your marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc. etc within each packet?

Am I understanding that correctly?

This is how I have assembled mine (though it hasn't been sent out yet):

1. Payment for all 3 petitions - all paper clipped together

2. Form G-1145 (the e-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance)

3. Cover Letter & Table of Contents

4. I-130 Forms x3: Wife, Step-Son and Step-Daughter (all back to back)

5. U.S. Passport (Mine - the petitioner)

6. U.S. Birth Certificate (Mine - the petitioner)

7. Birth Certificates and Passports (copy) for Intending Immigrants (Wife passport then Birth Certificate, Step-Son passport then birth certificate, step-daughter passport then birth certificate)

8. Certificate of Australian Citizenship (Wife - she was born in New Zealand and then gained citizenship in Australia)

9. Certified Marriage Certificate

10. Divorce Order + Divorce Certificate (Wife and her ex-husband)

11. G-325A Form (Me - the petitioner)

12. Passport Photo (Me)

13. G-325A Form (Wife)

14. Passport Photo (Wife)

15. Evidence of a Bonafide Marriage (a whole bunch of different documents)

So I guess the new question to you and everyone else becomes: Should it just be one I-130 packet (but of course 3 different I-130 forms), for the spouse and two step-children... Or should it be 3 different packets (which would require doubling up on providing the marriage certificate, divorce certificates, etc. etc.)

My assumption is that it would be the first option, since I've read elsewhere that it would all be processed "together".

[Ms Hogan 295]

Hi Christina,

Thank you for sharing that. I'm curious if you're certain that's the way it needs to be filed? It sounds like you ended up making an I-130 packet for each person (you and the two daughters), and essentially doubled up (or tripled up!) on providing your marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc. etc within each packet?

Am I understanding that correctly?

This is how I have assembled mine (though it hasn't been sent out yet):

1. Payment for all 3 petitions - all paper clipped together

2. Form G-1145 (the e-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance)

3. Cover Letter & Table of Contents

4. I-130 Forms x3: Wife, Step-Son and Step-Daughter (all back to back)

5. U.S. Passport (Mine - the petitioner)

6. U.S. Birth Certificate (Mine - the petitioner)

7. Birth Certificates and Passports (copy) for Intending Immigrants (Wife passport then Birth Certificate, Step-Son passport then birth certificate, step-daughter passport then birth certificate)

8. Certificate of Australian Citizenship (Wife - she was born in New Zealand and then gained citizenship in Australia)

9. Certified Marriage Certificate

10. Divorce Order + Divorce Certificate (Wife and her ex-husband)

11. G-325A Form (Me - the petitioner)

12. Passport Photo (Me)

13. G-325A Form (Wife)

14. Passport Photo (Wife)

15. Evidence of a Bonafide Marriage (a whole bunch of different documents)

So I guess the new question to you and everyone else becomes: Should it just be one I-130 packet (but of course 3 different I-130 forms), for the spouse and two step-children... Or should it be 3 different packets (which would require doubling up on providing the marriage certificate, divorce certificates, etc. etc.)

My assumption is that it would be the first option, since I've read elsewhere that it would all be processed "together".

You need to do a separate 1-130 for each with their own set of papers. Each one is processed individually. You don't send evidence of a bona fide relationship with the kids though. Their packages is much simpler.

You will need to go through your items and send them individually with their own copies of the necessary items. They will be tied together once they start getting processed however they need to be able to stand on their own and be handled as their own entity. I'm VERY tired right now and would write more normally but I wanted to make sure I intercepted here so you know to send them separately.

The kids' process is really minimal compared to the spouse. i couldn't believe how small my two kid packages were compared to mine but I had it right and if you read my signature you can see how we were approved with a couple days in between at points or had a checklist for one kid based on a form that was the exact same for each of us. Different eyeballs looking at the cases was made very clear at that point.

So take some time and go back. You need 3 individual packets.

[ElectricBlue30 0]

You need to do a separate 1-130 for each with their own set of papers. Each one is processed individually. You don't send evidence of a bona fide relationship with the kids though. Their packages is much simpler.

You will need to go through your items and send them individually with their own copies of the necessary items. They will be tied together once they start getting processed however they need to be able to stand on their own and be handled as their own entity. I'm VERY tired right now and would write more normally but I wanted to make sure I intercepted here so you know to send them separately.

The kids' process is really minimal compared to the spouse. i couldn't believe how small my two kid packages were compared to mine but I had it right and if you read my signature you can see how we were approved with a couple days in between at points or had a checklist for one kid based on a form that was the exact same for each of us. Different eyeballs looking at the cases was made very clear at that point.

So take some time and go back. You need 3 individual packets.

Ms. Hogan thank you SO much for sharing this. I was headed down the wrong path for sure and you probably just saved me a LOT of grief!!

Could you clarify just a couple things?

1. Did you provide a form G325A for the children?

2. Am I understanding your timeline correctly that it only took about 4 months to get approved? I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to hopefully have a similar timeline. My wife and kids and I both lived in Australia... were you and your family all living in Canada at the time?

Thank you so much!

[Ms Hogan 295]

Ms. Hogan thank you SO much for sharing this. I was headed down the wrong path for sure and you probably just saved me a LOT of grief!!

Could you clarify just a couple things?

1. Did you provide a form G325A for the children?

2. Am I understanding your timeline correctly that it only took about 4 months to get approved? I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to hopefully have a similar timeline. My wife and kids and I both lived in Australia... were you and your family all living in Canada at the time?

Thank you so much!

Here is the cover page that went with each of my kids. You can see there was barely anything to the package. MY HUSBAND is the USC petitioner. The kids and I were in Canada. I know i had some luck. I know I landed on the right desk at the right time as I had friends here waiting for close to a year. But I also know I provided a package that was well-assembled with no red flags. I think the person who picked up my file breathed a sigh of relief and said "oh this will be a smooth one" I realize that sounds cocky but I believe that is what happened. My goal was to make it pain free for the person on the receiving end.

APPLICATION FOR I-130

PETITIONER: HUSBAND MIDDLE LAST

BENEFICIARY: KID1 MIDDLE LAST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. CHECK FOR $420 APPLICATION FEE

2. I-130 PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE: KIDFIRST KIDLAST

3. BIRTH CERTIFICATE: HUSBANDFIRST HUSBANDLAST

4. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: HUSBANDFIRST HUSBANDLAST AND WIFEFIRST WIFELAST (MAIDEN NAME IN BRACKETS AFTER)

5. DIVORCE DECREE: HUSBANDFIRST HUSBANDLAST

6. DIVORCE DECREE: WIFEFIRST WIFELAST (MAIDEN NAME IN BRACKETS AFTER)

7. BIRTH CERTIFICATE: KIDFIRST KIDLAST

[Ms Hogan 295]

Here's the list from mine which you can see is so much longer. I apologize that i can't help further at the moment but I'm actually quite sick and headed to bed! If you have more questions you can feel free to PM and I'll get to them as soon as possible.

APPLICATION FOR I-130

PETITIONER: HISFIRST MIDDLE LAST

BENEFICIARY: MYFIRST MIDDLE LAST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. CHECK FOR $420 APPLICATION FEE

2. I-130 PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE: ME

3. BIRTH CERTIFICATE: HIM

4. MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: HIM AND ME (MAIDEN NAME INCLUDED IN BRACKETS)

5. DIVORCE DECREE: HIM

6. DIVORCE DECREE: ME (MAIDEN NAME IN BRACKETS)

7. G-325A: HIM

8. PHOTO: HIM

9. G-325A: ME

10. PHOTO: ME

11. PACKAGE OF PHOTOS AND OTHER EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP

Ms. Hogan thank you SO much for sharing this. I was headed down the wrong path for sure and you probably just saved me a LOT of grief!!

Could you clarify just a couple things?

1. Did you provide a form G325A for the children?

2. Am I understanding your timeline correctly that it only took about 4 months to get approved? I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to hopefully have a similar timeline. My wife and kids and I both lived in Australia... were you and your family all living in Canada at the time?

Thank you so much!

Something I learned early on here was to NOT overthink it or overanalyze the forms. Read them. Take them at face-value and answer the questions just as they are. If you look at the instructions for the kids it is actually very straight forward but we are all so stuck looking at the spouse details that we assume the kids must be just as difficult!

[Ms Hogan 295]

We are doing the same thing ~ my USC husband petitioned for myself and my two daughters (his step daughters)..... for the most part all the I-130's are treated the same way. Regardless if it is for your spouse or step children, assemble them all in the same order. For the kids, the only difference was that you don't need the proof of relationship like you do with your spouse.... my daughters' files were put together as such: the I-130 form, fee, marriage certificate of USC spouse and I, his prior divorce decree, my prior divorce decree, daughter's birth certificate (long form here in Ontario that shows both birth parents names) on top of this was the G325A and the photos in a little snack-size Ziploc baggie with her name on the back (lightly, in pencil)

We did put all three in the same envelope, but with a large paperclip for each file....

You don't need photos of the children. You also don't need the 325a for the children. Unless something has changed or my memory has it all wrong. But I'm confident that is only needed for spouse applications.

If you look at the I-130 instructions all you need is what is listed under Item #8 for step-children.

Under Item #1 you have all of the extra requirements but those are spouse-specific.

For step-children it is:

Stepparent/Stepchild: If your petition is based on a stepparent-stepchild relationship, you must file your petition with a copy of the marriage certificate of the stepparent to the child's natural parent showing that the marriage occurred before the child's 18th birthday, copies of documents showing that any prior marriages were legally terminated and a copy of the stepchild's birth certificate.

Edited February 4, 2015 by Ms Hogan

[ChristinaG 91]

1. Did you provide a form G325A for the children?

Thank you so much!

The G-325A is only for the adults, and it's just simple biographical info..... Hubby and I each completed one for my I-130 package, but not for the girls....

And yes, treat each petition as it's own case... some of the info (marriage certificates, etc) will be tripled up....

[ChristinaG 91]

You don't need photos of the children. You also don't need the 325a for the children. Unless something has changed or my memory has it all wrong. But I'm confident that is only needed for spouse applications.

If you look at the I-130 instructions all you need is what is listed under Item #8 for step-children.

Under Item #1 you have all of the extra requirements but those are spouse-specific.

For step-children it is:

Stepparent/Stepchild: If your petition is based on a stepparent-stepchild relationship, you must file your petition with a copy of the marriage certificate of the stepparent to the child's natural parent showing that the marriage occurred before the child's 18th birthday, copies of documents showing that any prior marriages were legally terminated and a copy of the stepchild's birth certificate.

d'oh (been a long day.....and too much shoveling!)

you're right.... I just opened the copies of the packages we submitted.... and that is how we submitted the kids apps (no G325a or photots).... just the supporting docs for their I-130 forms (birth certificates, marriage cert, prior divorce info...)

[ElectricBlue30 0]

Thank you everyone who has contributed to this. Incredibly helpful. Especially you Ms. Hogan.

Another question on this topic - for the Form G-1145 (e-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance), should only ONE be provided with this entire packet of 3 I-130s for the family... or should one be placed on each individual I-130 packet?

Thank you so much!

[NikLR 13,227]

One for each package. Treat each package as an individual entity. So each one needs their own check (lol I had to write that out twice), their own cover letter, and their own G-1145 etc...

No the child I-130 packages do not need photos or G-325as.

[ElectricBlue30 0]

One for each package. Treat each package as an individual entity. So each one needs their own check (lol I had to write that out twice), their own cover letter, and their own G-1145 etc...

No the child I-130 packages do not need photos or G-325as.

Thank you NLR. Curious - in addition to the individual cover letters, would it be useful to have an OVERALL cover letter that is in front of all three of these I-130s? I feel like an upfront clarification that there are 3 applications within could be useful?

[NikLR 13,227]

Thank you NLR. Curious - in addition to the individual cover letters, would it be useful to have an OVERALL cover letter that is in front of all three of these I-130s? I feel like an upfront clarification that there are 3 applications within could be useful?

You certainly could do that. It should be fairly obvious for them. Put each package in it's own envelope, then put all 3 envelopes together inside one large one.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Thank you NLR. Curious - in addition to the individual cover letters, would it be useful to have an OVERALL cover letter that is in front of all three of these I-130s? I feel like an upfront clarification that there are 3 applications within could be useful?

I did not do this but as NLR pointed out it doesn't hurt. The MOST important thing is that the files can stand on their own.