Jump to content

12 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Posted

My first post. Really appreciate this website and everyone who has shared. Has been very helpful as I get started with the DCF process. I'm on the first step, getting the packet ready to send to the Embassy in Mexico City and wondering if I have enough evidence to prove a bona fide marriage. I know the main examples they give are documents of joint property or leases but I don't have that. They were all done in my wife's name.  We do have a joint Mexican bank account and we have had two children born while living here so we have their birth certificates with both our names as the parents of course. We also have sworn affidavits of our marriage. Do you think this will be enough evidence? Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline
Posted

Definitely include any financial docs with both names (bank accounts, etc.) if you can get them. For proof of travel together, include copies of passport pages from you and your spouse's passports that show the same date. For photos, pictures that include you, your spouse + other people (friends and family) are better than just photos one on one. Include a caption explaining who the other person/people in the photo are and what their relationship is to you.

🇷🇺 CR-1 via DCF (Dec 2016-Jun 2017) & I-751 ROC (Apr 2019-Oct 2019)🌹

Spoiler

Info about my DCF Moscow* experience here and here

26-Jul-2016: Married abroad in Russia 👩‍❤️‍👨 See guide here
21-Dec-2016: I-130 filed at Moscow USCIS field office*
29-Dec-2016: I-130 approved! Yay! 🎊 

17-Jan-2017: Case number received

21-Mar-2017: Medical Exam completed

24-Mar-2017: Interview at Embassy - approved! 🎉

29-Mar-2017: CR-1 Visa received (via mail)

02-Apr-2017: USCIS Immigrant (GC) Fee paid

28-Jun-2017: Port of Entry @ PDX 🛩️

21-Jul-2017: No SSN after three weeks; applied in person at the SSA

22-Jul-2017: GC arrived in the mail 📬

31-Jul-2017: SSN arrived via mail, hurrah!

 

*NOTE: The USCIS Field Office in Moscow is now CLOSED as of February 28th, 2019.

 

Removal of Conditions - MSC Service Center

 28-Jun-2019: Conditional GC expires

30-Mar-2019: Eligible to apply for ROC

01-Apr-2019: ROC in the mail to Phoenix AZ lockbox! 📫

03-Apr-2019: ROC packet delivered to lockbox

09-Apr-2019: USCIS cashed check

09-Apr-2019: Case number received via text - MSC 📲

12-Apr-2019: Extension letter arrives via mail

19-Apr-2019: Biometrics letter arrives via mail

30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview 

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

🇺🇸 N-400 Application for Naturalization (Apr 2020-Jun 2021) 🛂

Spoiler

Filed during Covid-19 & moved states 1 month after filing

30-Mar-2020: N-400 early filing window opens!

01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

16-Jun-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 - DONE!!

17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

🎆 Members new and old: don't forget to fill in your VJ timeline! 🎇 https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

Posted (edited)
2 hours ago, jolson said:

My first post. Really appreciate this website and everyone who has shared. Has been very helpful as I get started with the DCF process. I'm on the first step, getting the packet ready to send to the Embassy in Mexico City and wondering if I have enough evidence to prove a bona fide marriage. I know the main examples they give are documents of joint property or leases but I don't have that. They were all done in my wife's name.  We do have a joint Mexican bank account and we have had two children born while living here so we have their birth certificates with both our names as the parents of course. We also have sworn affidavits of our marriage. Do you think this will be enough evidence? Any thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Hi Jolson,

 

Welcome to VisaJourney :)

Adil-rafa and millefleur are both right, the basics are the:

  • A copy of your marriage certificate; 
  • (3) Documentation showing that you and your spouse have combined your financial resources; &
  • (4) Birth certificates of children born to you and your spouse together;   

 

In which you mentioned above, both (3) & (4) you already have. 

 

We do have a joint Mexican bank account and we have had two children born while living here so we have their birth certificates with both our names as the parents of course. 

  

and, 

(5) Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship.  Each affidavit must contain the full name and address of the person making the affidavit; date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit; and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage; or

 

Is the sworn affidavit you mentioned above met the requirements in number 5?  if Yes, then you are all good. 

 

(6) Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

 

which is already mentioned in detailed by millefleur (Y)

 

We suggest that you will visit this link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-130 there is a downloadable Instructions for Form I-130 if you click that site. Once you download the Instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, please browse down to Page 6 (General Requirements), and scan down to number 5 which talks more in detailed about : What documents do you need to prove family relationship or proof of relationship with your spouse? Our suggestion, narrowed down all the proof you think are applicable to you and your spouse at your current situation. 

So, God bless your processing.  You may want to look at our 6P's in processing I-130 or petitioning for alien relative through DCF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Haltom Family
grammar

Our Family 

Joshua, a music lover, and Tennessee born guy met Lady Lyn, a Filipina in an online Yahoo Christian Chat while both of them were praising God in a different way.  The latter was bullied by some chatters, and courageous Joshua rescued her like a damsel in distress, that was where a new chapter of life begun with the two of them. Their marriage is blessed in many forms including of rewarding them with a beautiful and joyful baby girl named Abigail Exodus Haltom which named perfectly represents their love and life story as a family.

 

VisaJourney is always a part of where we are as a family, so THANK YOU!!!  

 

"To give back, you can message us here for your Fiancee, IR1/CR1 visa or DCF related inquiry or visit us in the following social medias."  

Instagram

Twitter

FB Page

www.haltomfamily.wordpress.com

 

Our DCF Journey 

Our K1 to I-130 Application Journey

DCF I-130 US Embassy Manila Application to Approval

 

Our assurance is God’s words.

But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” -2 Chronicles 15:7

 

Posted (edited)

I think the fact that you have children makes for a very likely approval. Children, intermingling of finances (which you also have), and proof of cohabitation seem to be the best evidence. Sworn affidavits from friends are family are generally not recommended on VJ as they hold very little weight. Here's what I submitted during our recent DCF Mexico case:

 

  • Two housing leases showing cohabitation of residence since February 2016 (and mentioning on the cover letter that we had been living together for many years before that, but we didn't want to translate and print any more than 2 leases)
  • Financial documents showing commingling of finances:
    • Petitioner’s Roth IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Petitioner’s second Roth IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Petitioner’s Traditional IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Scanned credit cards showing that beneficiary is an authorized user on petitioner’s US credit card
  • Airline itineraries of trips we took together (3 trips total)
  • Photos taken throughout our 7.5 year relationship: (8 photos total)
    • Facebook posts/photos spanning 7 years
    • Photos of our wedding in June 2017 showing attendance by family and friends
  • 3 affidavits from family and friends in support of our bona fide marriage

 

Using the above evidence we were approved almost immediately.

Edited by Jorge Valdivia

DCF Mexico

06/04/2017: Married

06/24/2017: Mailed I-130

06/27/2017: NOA1 (technically a RFE as we were missing beneficiary ID)

07/06/2017: NOA2

07/12/2017: Case assigned by Juarez embassy

07/17/2017: Packet 3 received

08/15/2017: Interview/Approval!

08/22/2017: Visa received via DHL

09/03/2017: POE

09/16/2017: Permanent Resident Card received

 

Total days from NOA1 to approval: 49

 

I wrote a DCF Mexico guide! http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php?title=DCF_Mexico

Posted
1 hour ago, Jorge Valdivia said:

I think the fact that you have children makes for a very likely approval. Children, intermingling of finances (which you also have), and proof of cohabitation seem to be the best evidence. Sworn affidavits from friends are family are generally not recommended on VJ as they hold very little weight. Here's what I submitted during our recent DCF Mexico case:

 

  • Two housing leases showing cohabitation of residence since February 2016 (and mentioning on the cover letter that we had been living together for many years before that, but we didn't want to translate and print any more than 2 leases)
  • Financial documents showing commingling of finances:
    • Petitioner’s Roth IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Petitioner’s second Roth IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Petitioner’s Traditional IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Scanned credit cards showing that beneficiary is an authorized user on petitioner’s US credit card
  • Airline itineraries of trips we took together (3 trips total)
  • Photos taken throughout our 7.5 year relationship: (8 photos total)
    • Facebook posts/photos spanning 7 years
    • Photos of our wedding in June 2017 showing attendance by family and friends
  • 3 affidavits from family and friends in support of our bona fide marriage

 

Using the above evidence we were approved almost immediately.

Thank you! BTW I've been using your guide. EXTREMELY helpful, thank you, thank you! 

Posted
2 hours ago, Haltom Family said:

 

 

 

Hi Jolson,

 

Welcome to VisaJourney :)

Adil-rafa and millefleur are both right, the basics are the:

  • A copy of your marriage certificate; 
  • (3) Documentation showing that you and your spouse have combined your financial resources; &
  • (4) Birth certificates of children born to you and your spouse together;   

 

In which you mentioned above, both (3) & (4) you already have. 

 

We do have a joint Mexican bank account and we have had two children born while living here so we have their birth certificates with both our names as the parents of course. 

  

and, 

(5) Affidavits sworn to or affirmed by third parties having personal knowledge of the bona fides of the marital relationship.  Each affidavit must contain the full name and address of the person making the affidavit; date and place of birth of the person making the affidavit; and complete information and details explaining how the person acquired his or her knowledge of your marriage; or

 

Is the sworn affidavit you mentioned above met the requirements in number 5?  if Yes, then you are all good. 

 

(6) Any other relevant documentation to establish that there is an ongoing marital union.

 

which is already mentioned in detailed by millefleur (Y)

 

We suggest that you will visit this link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-130 there is a downloadable Instructions for Form I-130 if you click that site. Once you download the Instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, please browse down to Page 6 (General Requirements), and scan down to number 5 which talks more in detailed about : What documents do you need to prove family relationship or proof of relationship with your spouse? Our suggestion, narrowed down all the proof you think are applicable to you and your spouse at your current situation. 

So, God bless your processing.  You may want to look at our 6P's in processing I-130 or petitioning for alien relative through DCF.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you! Appreciate it.

Posted
2 hours ago, jolson said:

Thank you! Appreciate it.

You're welcome. 

Our Family 

Joshua, a music lover, and Tennessee born guy met Lady Lyn, a Filipina in an online Yahoo Christian Chat while both of them were praising God in a different way.  The latter was bullied by some chatters, and courageous Joshua rescued her like a damsel in distress, that was where a new chapter of life begun with the two of them. Their marriage is blessed in many forms including of rewarding them with a beautiful and joyful baby girl named Abigail Exodus Haltom which named perfectly represents their love and life story as a family.

 

VisaJourney is always a part of where we are as a family, so THANK YOU!!!  

 

"To give back, you can message us here for your Fiancee, IR1/CR1 visa or DCF related inquiry or visit us in the following social medias."  

Instagram

Twitter

FB Page

www.haltomfamily.wordpress.com

 

Our DCF Journey 

Our K1 to I-130 Application Journey

DCF I-130 US Embassy Manila Application to Approval

 

Our assurance is God’s words.

But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” -2 Chronicles 15:7

 

Posted
4 hours ago, jolson said:

Thank you! BTW I've been using your guide. EXTREMELY helpful, thank you, thank you! 

Glad to be of help!

DCF Mexico

06/04/2017: Married

06/24/2017: Mailed I-130

06/27/2017: NOA1 (technically a RFE as we were missing beneficiary ID)

07/06/2017: NOA2

07/12/2017: Case assigned by Juarez embassy

07/17/2017: Packet 3 received

08/15/2017: Interview/Approval!

08/22/2017: Visa received via DHL

09/03/2017: POE

09/16/2017: Permanent Resident Card received

 

Total days from NOA1 to approval: 49

 

I wrote a DCF Mexico guide! http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php?title=DCF_Mexico

Posted
18 hours ago, Jorge Valdivia said:

I think the fact that you have children makes for a very likely approval. Children, intermingling of finances (which you also have), and proof of cohabitation seem to be the best evidence. Sworn affidavits from friends are family are generally not recommended on VJ as they hold very little weight. Here's what I submitted during our recent DCF Mexico case:

 

  • Two housing leases showing cohabitation of residence since February 2016 (and mentioning on the cover letter that we had been living together for many years before that, but we didn't want to translate and print any more than 2 leases)
  • Financial documents showing commingling of finances:
    • Petitioner’s Roth IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Petitioner’s second Roth IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Petitioner’s Traditional IRA beneficiary list, showing spouse as beneficiary
    • Scanned credit cards showing that beneficiary is an authorized user on petitioner’s US credit card
  • Airline itineraries of trips we took together (3 trips total)
  • Photos taken throughout our 7.5 year relationship: (8 photos total)
    • Facebook posts/photos spanning 7 years
    • Photos of our wedding in June 2017 showing attendance by family and friends
  • 3 affidavits from family and friends in support of our bona fide marriage

 

Using the above evidence we were approved almost immediately.

Jorge, a question. How were you able to add your wife as an authorized user on your US credit card or IRA beneficiary list without her SSN? I've been trying to add my wife to some of those things and unfortunately they all require her to have a SSN.

Posted
2 hours ago, jolson said:

Jorge, a question. How were you able to add your wife as an authorized user on your US credit card or IRA beneficiary list without her SSN? I've been trying to add my wife to some of those things and unfortunately they all require her to have a SSN.

Two of my IRAs are with Schwab and the other with Vanguard. Both allowed me to add them without an SSN. I think this is common as the beneficiary of these types of accounts is not required to be a US citizen.

 

As far as authorized user on a card, a few providers allow you to do this. I did it with Chase. Chase only asks for a person's name and address. The good thing about doing this is that if Chase can find an SSN with that name and address, they'll get the same benefits as a normal user. Even if the SSN is much later. My wife only arrived two months ago but she has a 700 credit score and 5 years of credit history due to my adding her to my card and using the same address.

DCF Mexico

06/04/2017: Married

06/24/2017: Mailed I-130

06/27/2017: NOA1 (technically a RFE as we were missing beneficiary ID)

07/06/2017: NOA2

07/12/2017: Case assigned by Juarez embassy

07/17/2017: Packet 3 received

08/15/2017: Interview/Approval!

08/22/2017: Visa received via DHL

09/03/2017: POE

09/16/2017: Permanent Resident Card received

 

Total days from NOA1 to approval: 49

 

I wrote a DCF Mexico guide! http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php?title=DCF_Mexico

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...