Filing I-130 from abroad, but sending inside US (merged)

[AbbyD 10]

Hello everyone! Very specific question, I will soon be sending in the I-130 for my husband's visa.  We both currently live abroad in Ecuador and will be filing as such. However, my dad is visiting us in a month, and so I would love to give him the packet to send from within the US, to save us the hundreds of dollars in DHL costs.  Will this cause any issues? Should it still be sent to the USCIS office that they direct files from abroad, or a different address? 

 

Thank you!!

Edited September 4, 2018 by Penguin_ie

[JFH 12,190]

He should send it to the Chicago lockbox. It won’t be a problem at all. 

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*procedural question moved from “progress reports” to “process and procedures”*~*~*

[pushbrk 12,881]

Dad can just use Priority Mail and send to the PO Box address.  Saves a bunch.

[vibgyor1111 2]

DHL from Vietnam is only 60usd.  I wonder why so much more in Ecuador? I did thee same.  Gave to my parents then they posted it priority mail.  No problems!

[AbbyD 10]

Not sure :( but i send things for work all the time and it's about $150 for every 5-10 sheets, so I know the entire packet will be a lot. Thanks for all the answers!

[pushbrk 12,881]

DHL is the preferred international courier of the US Dept. of State.  If you need to use one, check their rates.

[AbbyD 10]

Hello everyone! specific questions for legal documents for the I-130:

 

First, for my (US citizen) birth certificate, I have the official document by the Vital Records office in Virginia. Should I send in this official copy or make a simple copy of this official copy and send that in?

 

Second, for my husband (beneficiary)´s birth certificate, I assume I need the official version and apostille from Ecuador and then translate that - does the translation also have to be notarized and apostilled?

 

Third, for our marriage certificate - from Ecuador - also assume I need official version and apostille from Ecuador, again, does the translation need to be notarized and apostilled?

 

And, for passport copies, can they just be simple copies?

 

I know everywhere it says "only send in copies and not official documents unless requested" but I assume for legal documents they want an "official copy" from the government entity itself.

 

I currently work as a certified translator and some clients always want a notarization and others never. I would rather not notarize or apostille any translation as I or a coworker can do the translation quickly.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[AbbyD 10]

Did you all submit just last year's returns, or several years?

[pushbrk 12,881]

4 hours ago, AbbyD said:

Did you all submit just last year's returns, or several years?

Please start by downloading and studying both the instructions and the form itself.  Then return with any questions.

[pushbrk 12,881]

7 hours ago, AbbyD said:

Hello everyone! specific questions for legal documents for the I-130:

 

First, for my (US citizen) birth certificate, I have the official document by the Vital Records office in Virginia. Should I send in this official copy or make a simple copy of this official copy and send that in?

 

Second, for my husband (beneficiary)´s birth certificate, I assume I need the official version and apostille from Ecuador and then translate that - does the translation also have to be notarized and apostilled?

 

Third, for our marriage certificate - from Ecuador - also assume I need official version and apostille from Ecuador, again, does the translation need to be notarized and apostilled?

 

And, for passport copies, can they just be simple copies?

 

I know everywhere it says "only send in copies and not official documents unless requested" but I assume for legal documents they want an "official copy" from the government entity itself.

 

I currently work as a certified translator and some clients always want a notarization and others never. I would rather not notarize or apostille any translation as I or a coworker can do the translation quickly.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Don't assume.  Read and follow the instructions.  You'll be sending photocopies of certified copies.  Nothing needs apostille.  You will not see that word in any instructions.  Study them.

Edited September 4, 2018 by pushbrk

[AbbyD 10]

39 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Don't assume.  Read and follow the instructions.  You'll be sending photocopies of certified copies.  Nothing needs apostille.  You will not see that word in any instructions.  Study them.

Hi, thanks. By "assume" I meant more based on visa applications I have submitted in the past as well as what I have seen many people do here as I work as a certified translator. I have never had a client who did not want to include an apostille in their US residency visa app for their birth certificate or marriage certificate, and even when I tell them it doesn't say it's a requirement, they all still want it. I guess I am very used to governments not telling you what they actually want you to do and leaving it more up to your interpretation. Good to know that's not the case here! Way better for me to not have to apostille anything. Thanks.

[Ontarkie 14,221]

~~Related questions and replies merged to existing thread. Please do not post questions for your own case in other members threads. It can cause confusion to the thread.~~

Edited September 4, 2018 by Ontarkie

[pushbrk 12,881]

42 minutes ago, AbbyD said:

Hi, thanks. By "assume" I meant more based on visa applications I have submitted in the past as well as what I have seen many people do here as I work as a certified translator. I have never had a client who did not want to include an apostille in their US residency visa app for their birth certificate or marriage certificate, and even when I tell them it doesn't say it's a requirement, they all still want it. I guess I am very used to governments not telling you what they actually want you to do and leaving it more up to your interpretation. Good to know that's not the case here! Way better for me to not have to apostille anything. Thanks.

You will also want to study the Ecuador specific discussions here.  Short version, is plan for the US Citizen to be present at the visa interview.  You'll need plenty of relationship evidence but do read instructions carefully.  Anything that comes after the words, "In addition to the required..." is not required.  Choose what applies to you or can be obtained.  Often is is the last optional item, meaning any "other" that will be most applicable.  Evidence of time spent together and examples of how and how frequently you communicate are key, in that order.

[AbbyD 10]

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

You will also want to study the Ecuador specific discussions here.  Short version, is plan for the US Citizen to be present at the visa interview.  You'll need plenty of relationship evidence but do read instructions carefully.  Anything that comes after the words, "In addition to the required..." is not required.  Choose what applies to you or can be obtained.  Often is is the last optional item, meaning any "other" that will be most applicable.  Evidence of time spent together and examples of how and how frequently you communicate are key, in that order.

Perfect, thanks.  We both live in Ecuador and have lived together for 5 years in both Ecuador and the UK so no issue there. Thanks for your help!