Original or Photocopied Affidavits?

[twentyone21 0]

Hello!

 

My US citizen spouse and I are currently living abroad and nearing the end of preparing our I-130 petition package. 

 

In our package, we will be including three affidavits by third parties swearing to the bona fide nature of our marital relationship.

 

Are we required to submit the originals of these affidavits?

 

Two of them were made while both a family member and a very close friend were visiting. Since they now live on the other side of the world, so it won't be possible to make another copy. Therefore, if we submit the originals, we will only be able to bring a photocopy along to the interview stage.

 

Thank you for your help!

 

The stress of this whole process is simply unbelievable...

[purem4g1c 113]

of course they want original i 864 for the interview, thats pretty obvious, they won't accept photo copied signatures on the affidavit of support

[twentyone21 0]

20 minutes ago, purem4g1c said:

of course they want original i 864 for the interview, thats pretty obvious, they won't accept photo copied signatures on the affidavit of support

I'm not asking about the affidavit of support, I'm asking about affidavits included in the initial package by family and friends swearing to the nature of your relationship.

[millefleur 5,047]

**Moved from IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports to Process & Procedures**

[John & Rose 7,239]

15 hours ago, twentyone21 said:

I'm not asking about the affidavit of support, I'm asking about affidavits included in the initial package by family and friends swearing to the nature of your relationship.

Affidavits from friends are considered very poor proof of anything.  I would focus on real proof like photos and time together.  Many embassies do not even look at affidavits from friends because they have no way of knowing who actually wrote them or if they are factual.  Even notarized, the notary only verifies the identity of the signer, not the statement.  They carry very little weight as far as proof.  They are better than nothing but just barely so.  

Edited April 10, 2019 by John & Rose

[pushbrk 13,102]

11 hours ago, John & Rose said:

Affidavits from friends are considered very poor proof of anything.  I would focus on real proof like photos and time together.  Many embassies do not even look at affidavits from friends because they have no way of knowing who actually wrote them or if they are factual.  Even notarized, the notary only verifies the identity of the signer, not the statement.  They carry very little weight as far as proof.  They are better than nothing but just barely so.  

The can actually hurt, by making you look desperate.  I you have evidence of living together ANYWHERE for more than a few weeks, you have stronger evidence than most of our successful members.  Not a lot of US immigration fraud coming from Australia.  Skip the affidavits altogether, but if you send them, make copies for yourselves and send originals.

[twentyone21 0]

47 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

The can actually hurt, by making you look desperate.  I you have evidence of living together ANYWHERE for more than a few weeks, you have stronger evidence than most of our successful members.  Not a lot of US immigration fraud coming from Australia.  Skip the affidavits altogether, but if you send them, make copies for yourselves and send originals.

Thanks for your reply pushbrk. Unfortunately, I got caught up in the horror stories and have gone overboard with our petition; not in the 350 pages of Whatsapp messages style, but more in the breadth - emails, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, POA, health care agent, wills, shared bank account, credit card, postcards, birthday cards, lots of photos from over the years, shared lease, etc etc. So, unfortunately, my thoroughness may come across as desperation. Hopefully, at the end of the day though, our sheer evidence will win out...

[pushbrk 13,102]

1 hour ago, twentyone21 said:

Thanks for your reply pushbrk. Unfortunately, I got caught up in the horror stories and have gone overboard with our petition; not in the 350 pages of Whatsapp messages style, but more in the breadth - emails, boarding passes, hotel confirmations, POA, health care agent, wills, shared bank account, credit card, postcards, birthday cards, lots of photos from over the years, shared lease, etc etc. So, unfortunately, my thoroughness may come across as desperation. Hopefully, at the end of the day though, our sheer evidence will win out...

Beware that if it's too much, it's not going to be looked at.  The minimal approach is what I would recommend in YOUR case.  It assures they see what you really want them to see like the lease, photos and travel records.  Bank accounts and other shared accounts are good.  Don't include the rest with the petition.  If you want belt and suspenders, plus bubble wrap, lug it to the interview yourself.