Questions RE: CR-1 sending documents for petition

[KellyCdB 2]

I'm sure these questions have been asked before but I'm having trouble searching out what I need as I'm not used to all the terminology used on this site.

I'm doing i-130 for my spouse and 2 stepsons. I'm in the US, they're in Peru. We are up against the wall, as my oldest son turns 21 on January 25th, so I must have everything mailed in and received by USCIS before then.

This is my understanding of the docs I need:

i-130 for each

Copy of my passport or birth certificate for each beneficiary
Marriage certificate - 1 for each beneficiary +translation

Proof of previous divorce - 1 for each + translation

Each person's birth certificate + translation

Passport size photos for each

Form i-130A for my spouse ONLY

Evidence of bonafide marriage

 

My husband is gathering all the documents in Peru. My first question:

Can he scan and email them to me, or do we need to send all original copies of the documents?
 

Passport photos - Is it possible to have the photographer save them to a flash drive then email them to me to print out on photo quality paper here? I mean, I know it's possible, but will it be ok for submitting with my forms?

 

 

[Ryan H 3,812]

***Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.***

 

**Moderator hat off**

 

3 hours ago, KellyCdB said:

I'm sure these questions have been asked before but I'm having trouble searching out what I need as I'm not used to all the terminology used on this site.

I'm doing i-130 for my spouse and 2 stepsons. I'm in the US, they're in Peru. We are up against the wall, as my oldest son turns 21 on January 25th, so I must have everything mailed in and received by USCIS before then.

This is my understanding of the docs I need:

i-130 for each

Copy of my passport or birth certificate for each beneficiary
Marriage certificate - 1 for each beneficiary +translation

Proof of previous divorce - 1 for each + translation

Each person's birth certificate + translation

Passport size photos for each

Form i-130A for my spouse ONLY

Evidence of bonafide marriage

 

My husband is gathering all the documents in Peru. My first question:

Can he scan and email them to me, or do we need to send all original copies of the documents?
 

Passport photos - Is it possible to have the photographer save them to a flash drive then email them to me to print out on photo quality paper here? I mean, I know it's possible, but will it be ok for submitting with my forms?

 

 

 

Answers:

• Correct, I-130 for each (plus separate fees)
• If you use the copy of your passport to establish your citizenship, you must copy every page OR you can use the copy of your birth certificate.
• Correct regarding marriage certficate
• I know you need the divorce information for the spouse petition.  Can't speak to it for the stepsons' petitions.
• Beneficiary's birth certificates are not needed at this juncture.
• If the instructions call for passport photos, then include them.
• Correct regarding I-130A
• Correct regarding evidence
• He can scan and email it all to you
• No, if passport pictures are required, they must be actual pictures.

[KellyCdB 2]

Thanks so much for the response and taking the time to answer my questions. I appreciate it.

 

[Abies 1,713]

16 hours ago, Ryan H said:

***Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.***

 

**Moderator hat off**

 

 

Answers:

• Correct, I-130 for each (plus separate fees)
• If you use the copy of your passport to establish your citizenship, you must copy every page OR you can use the copy of your birth certificate.
• Correct regarding marriage certficate
• I know you need the divorce information for the spouse petition.  Can't speak to it for the stepsons' petitions.
• Beneficiary's birth certificates are not needed at this juncture.
• If the instructions call for passport photos, then include them.
• Correct regarding I-130A
• Correct regarding evidence
• He can scan and email it all to you
• No, if passport pictures are required, they must be actual pictures.

Some people have been getting RFE for beneficiary's birth cert. 

[KellyCdB 2]

In that case, we may as well include it, doesn't seem like it would hurt.

[bakphx1 789]

Don't send in original documents of anything.  That is a headache waiting to happen.  Keep them handy to bring in for the interview though. 

[ASMS 86]

On 1/9/2018 at 5:07 PM, KellyCdB said:

 

Passport photos - Is it possible to have the photographer save them to a flash drive then email them to me to print out on photo quality paper here? I mean, I know it's possible, but will it be ok for submitting with my forms?

Some people say to send the actual pictures. However, in my case, I was advised from my lawyer to take the picture, scan it with good quality, and email to him, so he will pirint it out on photo quality paper and send them with the rest of the documents.

But they could also mail you the pictures if you want.

[KellyCdB 2]

I was thinking of having the actual photographer save the photos to a flash drive, email them to me then getting them printed out at CVS. That way, they would be the actual photos, not copies.

[bakphx1 789]

17 minutes ago, KellyCdB said:

I was thinking of having the actual photographer save the photos to a flash drive, email them to me then getting them printed out at CVS. That way, they would be the actual photos, not copies.

I just printed them to paper.  Important to label them with date, place and people in the pictures. 

[KellyCdB 2]

I think that's ok for regular photos, but I need actual photos for the passport pictures that must be included.

[bakphx1 789]

26 minutes ago, KellyCdB said:

I think that's ok for regular photos, but I need actual photos for the passport pictures that must be included.

Got it.  That's a good plan.