About to start the CR-1 Process!

[travystats 0]

So this is my last week here in the Philippines and man has it been one amazing and eye opening trip for me. I loved every moment of this trip but now am starting to feel the emotions of leaving my wife here for these months that I will be processing the papers to get her home with me. I created this post to document my particular process as well as to have a place for any questions that may arise although these guides do a good job explaining what needs to be done.

So once I get home this weekend I will immediately be starting my i-130. I understand that with this i-130 I also must fill out a G-325A. It says here that I also must have my wife fill one out as well? So should I just print hers out right now while I am in the PH, have her fill it out so I have it with me already when I am back in the states?

Also for the proof of the bonified marriage is the marriage cert not good enough?

[Cathi 5,777]

Welcome to the forum. Follow the guides at the top of the page for your answers.

[travystats 0]

"5.

Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties havingpersonal knowledge of the bona fides of the maritalrelationship (Each affidavit must contain the full nameand address, date and place of birth of the person makingthe affidavit, his or her relationship to the petitioner ofbeneficiary, if any, and complete information and detailsexplaining how the person acquired his or herknowledge of your marriage); or 6. Any other relevant documentation to establish that thereis an ongoing marital union."

My best friend is here for this trip. Would he be able to make an affidavit for this? And would other relevant documentation be marriage photos?

[travystats 0]

Or would a photo copy of our marriage certificate work for the "relevant documentation"?

[Ryan H 3,819]

The only proof that you are required to submit when you file is a photocopy of your marriage certificate. Anything else you choose to submit would be evidence of a bona fide marriage. Should you choose to submit such evidence, focus on evidence of time spent together in-person for that will be your strongest evidence. Affidavits will carry little to zero weight in the overall evaluation of a file.

[Michael and Milahjean 0]

Greetings travystats,

Don't have much to offer regarding the process since we've been through the CR1 maze 10 years now. We've crossed the naturalization finish line a few months ago, but I did want to share that your situation is identical to ours. I also had but 3 weeks to arrive, secure the legal capacity, apply for the marriage license, get married and depart in 3 weeks. We thought it was an impossible task, but somehow we succeeded. Interesting also is the fact that you married on Monday 24th, as our wedding was also Monday 24th, April though. Next day I headed with my new asawa to Tacloban, then to Manila, then home alone to begin the processing. Even today those thoughts are fresh, how terribly difficult it was to leave her there, but how incredibly joyful it was when I arrived to escort her to America just about a year later. Having our wedding in the Philippines for us was the absolute best experience of my entire eye-opening adventure. Others I'm sure can relate, being present with her when she left her family and friends to join me in America was the toughest experience in my life, both very joyful, and so very very sad for her and her mom and dad, and siblings, cousins....you know, it goes on and on. Hang in there, the day will come for you to be reunited, it will seem like the process drags on, but...looking back from 10 years in the future, you'll be so appreciative for the experience. Your journey is just beginning. Enjoy it.

Good luck!!

Mike and MJ

Ohio

[Mrs.FC 2]

Congratulations! Your visa journey is about to start now. Being separated from someone is going to be hard after spending time with them but anyway its going to be worth it when you get to reunite with them.

You could ask your wife to fill out and sign the G325A while you are still with her and bring it with you so you could save a lot of time. We only included affidavits from our relatives and photopages that shows our wedding, families and trips spent together as evidences of bonafide marriage, I guess its up to you if you want to add other evidences. Others say that its better to frontload your application with evidences but for us we just kept it simple and we got along just fine. Best of luck to you and wifey!

[travystats 0]

Thank you Mike and Mrs FC! I appreciate the kind words and advice.

[James-Bond007 6]

I am new here; filed months ago, please see below what my i-130 cover letter looked like:

- $420 personal check (filing fee)

- I-130 Petition for Alien Relative

- G-325 A (Petitioner)

- G-325 A (beneficiary)

- 2 Passport Style Photo (Petitioner)

- 2 Passport Style Photo (Beneficiary)

- Copy of U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (Petitioner)

- Copy of U.S. Passport (Petitioner)

- Proof of Employment (Petitioner)

- Proof of mailing address (Petitioner)

- Translated Certificate of Nationality (Beneficiary)

- Translated Birth Certificate (Beneficiary)

- Translated French Police Criminal Record (Beneficiary)

- Copy of Passport (Beneficiary)

- Translated and Original Copies of Petitioner and Beneficiary Marriage Certificate

- Wedding Photos and other trips we took together.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Edited October 26, 2016 by AlwaysGrateful

[NikLR 13,231]

Only one passport photo is needed. No copies of employment is needed with the I-130. Nor is the beneficiary's passport, birth certificate copy or police record. You sent a lot of uneeded information for this stage but very little evidence of a bonafide marriage.

[NikLR 13,231]

OP please read the guides and wikis. They have everything you need.

[travystats 0]

I have read the guides. If it was that easy forums would be pointless. It helps to get details from peoples personal experiences which is why I made the post. It helps easy any anxiety and helps with knowing the specific steps others have taken and what the results were. For me this isnt as black and white as it might be for other people.

Also I dont think I need a naturalization cert since I was born here.

I appreciate any responses I get guys and gals. I dont want to mess anything up!

Edited October 26, 2016 by travystats

[NikLR 13,231]

The list by the above poster has a lot of info that is NOT required and missing a lot of evidence that should be included. That is why i suggested the guides. They have a direct list of forms and documents required with the petition. If you need help with forms or ideas for evidence, be sure to ask. If you feel overwhelmed or dont have time for the forms, then perhaps a good lawyer would ease your anxiety? Not everyone likes filling out forms obviously.

[travystats 0]

I will use a photocopy of the marriage cert and wedding photos as evidence for the bonified marriage. I should be okay with that. Everything else about the forms and whatnot seem very straight forward so far.

[NikLR 13,231]

Just wedding photos generally are not enough. You should add evidence of having spent time together, regular communication, or of living together if possible.