Just got married - Questions about starting K3

[ColombianoGringo 0]

My wife and I were married this Monday on the beach in San Andres Isla, Colombia. We are both very happy and looking to begin the K3 process. Even though I am a dual US/Colombian citizen, I married with my US passport.

1) I am curious as to whether we should fill out my wife's information in the various forms using her maiden name or her new married name. In Colombia, it is customary to keep the maiden name, but she wants to take my last name. I had thought of using my last name for her and listing her maiden first and second last names in the space for any other names she has used? Is this the correct way to do this? All of her documents have her maiden name. I don't know what the marriage certificate says as it is in transit.

2) Prior to the interview stage, do I need to provide any documents for her besides our marriage certificate, passport photos and her G-325A?

3) Since we are newly married, we don't have a lot of the "bona fide" evidence. We do have a lot of pictures of the trips I have taken to see her. We also have pictures of us both with my grandparents and various relatives of mine in Colombia. We have a massive amount of phone records since we talk at many times a day for a average of 1-2 hours a day or more. I also have a lot of airline tickets, hotel receipts, etc. to document the times I have visited her.

I have looked at the guides and noticed that a lot of the forms are out of date, and some examples, like the Affidavit of Support, are for K-1. Does anyone have some update examples specific to K3?

Thanks for any information. I am sure I will have a million questions.

Peace,

CG

Edited June 14, 2007 by ColombianoGringo

[pushbrk 13,058]

My wife and I were married this Monday on the beach in San Andres Isla, Colombia. We are both very happy and looking to begin the K3 process. Even though I am a dual US/Colombian citizen, I married with my US passport.

1) I am curious as to whether we should fill out my wife's information in the various forms using her maiden name or her new married name. In Colombia, it is customary to keep the maiden name, but she wants to take my last name. I had thought of using my last name for her and listing her maiden first and second last names in the space for any other names she has used? Is this the correct way to do this? All of her documents have her maiden name. I don't know what the marriage certificate says as it is in transit.

2) Prior to the interview stage, do I need to provide any documents for her besides our marriage certificate, passport photos and her G-325A?

3) Since we are newly married, we don't have a lot of the "bona fide" evidence. We do have a lot of pictures of the trips I have taken to see her. We also have pictures of us both with my grandparents and various relatives of mine in Colombia. We have a massive amount of phone records since we talk at many times a day for a average of 1-2 hours a day or more. I also have a lot of airline tickets, hotel receipts, etc. to document the times I have visited her.

I have looked at the guides and noticed that a lot of the forms are out of date, and some examples, like the Affidavit of Support, are for K-1. Does anyone have some update examples specific to K3?

Thanks for any information. I am sure I will have a million questions.

Peace,

CG

Welcome. Please start by reading the guides. Look for the word "Guides" at the top of the page and click on it. Then please come back with remaining questions. You'll want to read the instructions on the forms first as well. You'll find this all very informative and the base of knowledge you'll have by doing so will help prepare you for success.

You should use your wife's current legal name unless specifically asked for maiden name. It sounds like at the moment they are one in the same.

Edited June 14, 2007 by pushbrk

[Mononoke28 135]

CG,

1. I would keep her maiden name throughout the whole visa process to make things easier. The marriage certificate will also have her maiden name but she can change it once she gets here. Your choice though.

2. All you have to send to USCIS with the I-130 is the marriage certificate, TRANSLATED (I suggest you get it translated in Colombia since it will be a lot cheaper), you birth certificate or copy of US passport, your picture, her picture, your G-325A and her G-325A.

3. As for evidence all you need is your marriage certificate and a few affidavits from people who can say you have a bonafide marriage. These will have to be in English. I only sent 2, one from my mom and one from my sister and we were approved with no problems.

Just as an extra footnote. Make sure you do your homework before filing, I highly recommend reading the Colombian threads we have going here on VJ. Also keep in mind that the CR1 visas in Colombia are getting approved in 7-8 months, while the K-3s take around 6-7, on average.

Diana

[Craig_Karina 0]

Hello Colombianogringo!

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES!!! I think we should get to know each other because our timelines will be similar. I married Karina on May 18, 2007 and sent in my I-130 papers on May 31st...received by Texas Service Center on June 1st. We used Karina's maiden name on our documents because everything is in that name. (Don't do anything that will confuse these people at USCIS. Hahaha) My wife intends to use my last name here in the United States too. We sent 4 affidavits...two from her side of the family and two from my side. I am hearing "confusing talk" about the translations. Some say it must be translated...others say it is not necessary. Personally, I "self translated" our documents in Spanish because I am conversational in Spanish. (And...a person would have to be an idiot not to know that "Fecha de Naciemento" means Date of Birth!!!) I included a statement with my self certified documents. . . read my postings for exact wording.

Don't worry about the forms being out of date...they are still accepting older forms. Don't worry about your documentation...you have the same things that I do...airline tickets, passport stamps, travel brochures, AND LOTS OF PHOTOS! Take photos of every time you are with your wife and family. Your wedding photo album will be GREAT! Try NOT to make this process too involved and scary for yourself and your wife. Give the people at USCIS/Visa/Embassy whatever they request and do it promptly. If they ask for a COPY...give them a COPY...and mark it as such with a stamp that is available at Office Depot. They will ask for originals ONLY when they need them. Also, I think the Affidavit of Support is the same for all...they just want to know that you will be able to support your new wife when she comes to the USA.

Again....CONGRATULATUONS...let's enjoy the journey together!!!

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Thanks for the info everyone. I have looked through guides already, but some of the forms have changed and in particular, I am curious about a few fields on the G-325A as related to a k-3.

[ColombianoGringo 0]

Craig,

Thanks and congratulations to you as well. I got your friend add. Is there anything I need to do on my end.

My wife and I are hoping to get things done by February of next year. We had a beautiful beach wedding with just the two of us.

We are planning on a big church wedding with both of our families.

Even though I was born in the US and live in Texas, my parents are from Colombia and I still have a lot of family there. I have been going several times a year for my entire life so I know the lay of the land very well.

Peace,

CG